To answer the four questions from our exercise....
1. I am thankful that my group feel that they can be very honest and open in our group whether they have completed all of the exercises or not. We continue to have good conversations and open up with one another.
2. Yes, I would like to educate myself more to be able to come up with more study plans for groups like these. I would LOVE to lead groups of individuals with spiritual studies, but need a lot more educate prior to my leading something of that sort.
3. Yes, our friends are countless that I feel need the Lord in their lives, but I find it difficult to speak with these people openly because they sometimes think I am crazy, or they degrade my beliefs, or literally tease me for my passion for the Lord. I haven't learned yet how to deal with situations like these properly, so I am intimidated to try to bring spirituality to these people's lives.
4. I wish attendance at meetings were better. I wish people felt like they could make more time to do the exercises and I wish more of my members were adding comments to this blog.
Heavenly Father, please help me to be a gracious leader that can allow people to be themselves and to make my group members feel comfortable enough to share all of their thoughts and prayers. In your name....Amen.
Hey ... appreciate you continuing to lay out your musings through this blog.
ReplyDeleteI noticed in this post that you did not answer the second part of question #4. i.e., "How can you change your actions in the group so as to bring about the outcome you desire?"
1. I am thankful to Lori for taking on the challenge of leading this group and for inviting me to be a part of it. I am thankful for those who admit that, like myself, they struggle to understand. I am also thankful for those wiser, very patient members who, without judgment, guide me, encourage me, and teach me. I don't feel at I know enough or have learned enough to make a valuable contribution. To show my gratitude, I plan to try to have more control over the obstacles that have monopolized my day-to-day life and kept me from focusing on my commitment to this group.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, I would welcome the opportunity to continue meeting with a group after the 40 Days is over. Life happens and sometimes I have to make a choice about what to focus on and what to set aside. Even though I'm not always as prepared as I'd like to be I'm still enjoying the group and I enjoy learing.
3. Yes, I have many friends who are disconnected from the Christian community. Some even think they are connected and living a Christian life when in reality they really aren't. There are a few I feel comfortable discussing God and church and prayer with. Many of them are supportive and encouraging. But I still feel so new to this environment I don't feel confident enough with those who aren't seeking a Christian community. And for some, it turns them off. It's something I don't think can be forced. It has to come from the heart.
4. I wish, for the sake of my group as well as for myself, Dan and I were on this journey as a team. Honestly, it's taking every effort right now to accomplish what we have I don't know if there is anything I can do to change that.
I also wish that I had been more prepared last week. I will be prepared this week! I will have to read and catch up on the blog once I return from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame....but I will be prepared!
Thank you Lori and other group members for inspiring me, guiding me, teaching me and accepting me! I appreciate each and everyone of you.