7. Growth Model

(choose one of the following bulleted workouts)

• RealLife Plus Seminar
  1. Attend RealLife Plus Seminar.
  2. Complete instructor’s workout.
  3. Discuss with an Equipping Partner.
• Grace, Truth, and Time
  1. Read "Ingredients of Growth – Grace, Truth and Time"
  2. Set aside an hour to reflect on the following questions and write out your answers in a journal:
     • Grace
       "Am I getting help and support that is going to be there regardless of how I am doing?" Where? Where can I?
     • Truth
       "For His truth to preserve our life, we must never forget His Word. And for that to happen, we must be getting exposed to God’s truth on a regular basis. There are many ways for us to do that. Here are some common ones: individual Bible study, group studies, preaching and teaching, reading and studying good materials that teach God’s truth, confrontation by friends with God’s truth." Am I exposed to God's truth on a regular basis? What am I learning about God's truth through the various options listed? Which ones do I need to incorporate into my life?
     • Reality
       "For grace to make a difference in our struggling realities , those realities need to be brought into the light of God’s grace and be compared to His truth. As we expose who we really are, and begin to feel accepted and loved by God and others, then that love empowers us to be sorry for who we are and motivates us to change. This cannot happen unless we are honest about our pain and struggles." Who in my life can I be honest with about my pain and struggles?
     • Time
       "Make sure your design for growth includes a process of grace and truth over time. Don’t think a weekend retreat is going to do it. Instead, join a group that meets every week for a few years. Or get together with a counselor or supportive friend regularly for a few years. It’s easy to overestimate how much you can do in a short time and underestimate how much you can do in a long time." What is my long -term plan for growth? What people/groups are in my life right now who will help me grow over time?
  3. Share your thoughts with an Equipping Partner and discuss how you will implement any changes you need to make in order for growth to happen in your life.
• Changes that Heal
  1. Read first chapter in Changes that Heal by Henry Cloud
  2. Discuss a plan with an Equipping Partner for how to help your Life Group facilitate a stronger environment of grace and truth.
  3. Share your plan with your Life Group.
  4. Evaluate with your Equipping Partner in one month.