WEEKS 9 & 10: TELLING MY STORY – “I CAME TO BELIEVE to I ACTED.”
STAGE OF CHANGE… Preparing to change, to choosing and acting upon that change.
STAGE OF GRIEVING… Acceptance of Loss to Hope and Re-Write.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL: “Wonderfully Made/Scripture and Science.” (Part 4). Review.
Focus and Goals for Weeks 9 and 10:
Weeks 9 and 10: Assisting people to identify the connection between their actions and reactions in everyday life TODAY and the loss of core needs in the PAST. Be sure to read the “Bridge” page at the very beginning of Week 11!
KNOWING JESUS:
Week 9: “The Widow of Nain”: This most important part of this story may at first seem to be that Jesus brought the dead son of the widow to life. But really, He first went to the widow and had empathy for her tears. This says volumes! Pause and meditate, allow the members to visualize this situation as if they were present in the crowd. What reaction and emotion begin to happen inside them as they “view” this event? Questions to be asked: How free are you to act upon the leading of the Holy Spirit? How free are you to respond with empathy? What is the hope Jesus wanted to bring to this widow? What does this say about the heart of Jesus in wanting us to live in hope rather than fear?
KNOWING OURSELVES:
Week 9: "Identifying Your Stage of Grieving and Healing – I Acted”. The questions asked in this worksheet can identify unresolved grief. Helping a member identify this behavior as a result of grief can help move a person from unawareness and denial, to healing. Yes, Jesus SEES your GRIEF and CARES!
This truth is confirmed in the following readings: “Unfailing Love, and Work!” and “He Reaches Out First”.
Focusing on Jesus, as the God and the Person who is always faithfully pursuing us with love for our well-being, ultimately builds within us the hope that change is both possible and desirable. Emphasize this truth. Encourage the members to intentionally make the choice to agree with this truth and reject the lies due to past losses.
Week 10: “Inheritance for Sons”: There are so many powerful visuals in the Prodigal Son story that can be personalized and internalized by reflecting and receiving. Allow for meditation time so that each member can “see” Jesus and the Father running to them personally because they have come “home”.
Week 10: “Defense Mechanisms”: It is important to emphasize and understand that these defense mechanisms are actually only self-designed coping mechanisms. In fact they are false solutions to the real problem of losses. Only Jesus can bring the real solution for our wounds. He who designed us knows how to heal us. Seeking Jesus’ perspective for our lives uproots the old “solutions” and allows us to see His purpose and plan for healing. Encourage and invite the members to seek the “re-write” for their individual coping mechanisms. Help them envision the “I Acted” differently.
Click HERE to go to Weeks 11 & 12
Click HERE to return to the Facilitator's Guide Introduction page
STAGE OF CHANGE… Preparing to change, to choosing and acting upon that change.
STAGE OF GRIEVING… Acceptance of Loss to Hope and Re-Write.
EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL: “Wonderfully Made/Scripture and Science.” (Part 4). Review.
Focus and Goals for Weeks 9 and 10:
Weeks 9 and 10: Assisting people to identify the connection between their actions and reactions in everyday life TODAY and the loss of core needs in the PAST. Be sure to read the “Bridge” page at the very beginning of Week 11!
KNOWING JESUS:
Week 9: “The Widow of Nain”: This most important part of this story may at first seem to be that Jesus brought the dead son of the widow to life. But really, He first went to the widow and had empathy for her tears. This says volumes! Pause and meditate, allow the members to visualize this situation as if they were present in the crowd. What reaction and emotion begin to happen inside them as they “view” this event? Questions to be asked: How free are you to act upon the leading of the Holy Spirit? How free are you to respond with empathy? What is the hope Jesus wanted to bring to this widow? What does this say about the heart of Jesus in wanting us to live in hope rather than fear?
KNOWING OURSELVES:
Week 9: "Identifying Your Stage of Grieving and Healing – I Acted”. The questions asked in this worksheet can identify unresolved grief. Helping a member identify this behavior as a result of grief can help move a person from unawareness and denial, to healing. Yes, Jesus SEES your GRIEF and CARES!
This truth is confirmed in the following readings: “Unfailing Love, and Work!” and “He Reaches Out First”.
Focusing on Jesus, as the God and the Person who is always faithfully pursuing us with love for our well-being, ultimately builds within us the hope that change is both possible and desirable. Emphasize this truth. Encourage the members to intentionally make the choice to agree with this truth and reject the lies due to past losses.
Week 10: “Inheritance for Sons”: There are so many powerful visuals in the Prodigal Son story that can be personalized and internalized by reflecting and receiving. Allow for meditation time so that each member can “see” Jesus and the Father running to them personally because they have come “home”.
Week 10: “Defense Mechanisms”: It is important to emphasize and understand that these defense mechanisms are actually only self-designed coping mechanisms. In fact they are false solutions to the real problem of losses. Only Jesus can bring the real solution for our wounds. He who designed us knows how to heal us. Seeking Jesus’ perspective for our lives uproots the old “solutions” and allows us to see His purpose and plan for healing. Encourage and invite the members to seek the “re-write” for their individual coping mechanisms. Help them envision the “I Acted” differently.
Click HERE to go to Weeks 11 & 12
Click HERE to return to the Facilitator's Guide Introduction page