Into the Desert

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40 days of Bible readings, reflections and prayers that will take you on a spiritual journey into the Australian wilderness.

Into the Desert combines Australian history and literature with the centuries old wisdom of Desert monasticism. It is written by ABM's Reconciliation Coordinator Celia Kemp, who draws on her own experience of living in the Australian desert to create a truly special publication.

The 88 page booklet contains 40 daily bible studies designed for individual reflection that can easily be adapted as a group study. Into the Desert is ideal for Lent but can be used at any time of the year.

Click here to download a preview and look inside.

What people are saying

I opened the ‘first day’ of Celia Kemp’s “Into the Desert” with no expectations, more out of loyalty to ABM than anything else… but then quickly found myself hooked. The connections between Scripture, art, photography, and ‘sayings’ from both contemporary culture as well as Christian tradition were very good, and provided me with creative food for reflection. The flavour and feel of the spirituality was very definitely Australian. It became a daily gift to me through Lent and I felt real loss when I closed the final entry on the ‘last day’.
The Reverend Grant Bullen, Toorak Gardens

I used this resource throughout Lent 2016. As well as being almost invariably nourishing for my own spiritual journey, it also gave shape and colour to my sharing with others. Thankyou ABM.
The Reverend Bill Redman, Ipswich North

Into the Desert is a wonderful resource because it seeks to give us the opportunity to not only travel as ordinary people into the desert but travel back out again accompanied by prayer and the awareness of finding God even in the starkest and most barren of places of our lives. Celia’s thoughtful reflections, photography and bringing together some of the most beautifully expressed writings, prayers and thoughts, make this a most unique Lent Resource and a gift to every person who explores it.”
Debra Saffrey-Collins, Chaplain, Brotherhood of St Laurence

The ABM Lent studies, especially of the last three years, have been most useful in parish study groups. The insights and knowledge of Bill Loader, Dorothy Lee, and, last year’s ‘Into the Desert’, provided great fuel for discussion, sharing, and prayer. The studies enhanced consideration of the Lenten gospels and assisted with the continuity of lectionary based worship in the parish. I recommend them as a helpful place to start and to guide your meditations and studies this Lent.
The Reverend Trevor Smith, Buckland and Swansea

These are inspiring reflections with material from a diverse range of thinkers. The pithy studies have the potential to shape your day in a different and creative way. The daily material provides stimulating questions for reflection and the images used help provide a valuable context. Into the Desert is a valuable companion for a 40 day journey.
The Very Reverend John Roundhill, Bendigo

Additional Resources

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Questions for study groups

Sample questions for groups based on the Sunday readings from Into the Desert

Study Group Questions

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Mobile app

Into the Desert is available as a free app that can be downloaded on your iPhone or Android device anywhere in the world.

Download the App

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More resources for Lent

This Lent ABM invites you to join us on the slow path of prayer and contemplation, a path of prayerful listening...

Go to the ABM website