How to raise the joy level in your group

To create a new culture of joy and peace in a practical way, we must find and amplify joy. We amplify the news of hope when we share and listen to Immanuel stories of how God has returned us to joy from our distress and restored us to shalom in God's presence.

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REVIEW:  The Leader 101 Course:  Cultivating Habits of Highly Effective Spiritual Leaders

  • Lesson One (June 2015).  Cultivating the habit of joy
  • Lesson Two (July 2015).  Cultivating the habit of praying 10:2b
  • Lesson Three (August 2015).  Cultivating the habit of looking expectantly for 10:2b answer
  • Lesson Four (September 2015).  Cultivating the habit of carrying people (especially 10:2b answers) in your heart.
  • Lesson Five (October 2015).  Cultivating the habit of shepherding your flock.
  • Lesson Six (November and December 2015).  Cultivating the habit of interactive gratitude.

*Watch the video and then continue with the assignments below the video (click on the picture of Kent and Cathy Larson to watch this video).

 

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Sharing interactive gratitude with your group

During the months of November and December (2015), we are focusing on cultivating the habit of interactive gratitude.  In a previous blog post, we introduced interactive gratitude for individuals. Now, we want to expand this practice by using it in groups.   Chapter six (“Creating an Immanuel Community”) in the book Joyful Journey by James Wilder explains this practice for communities.  Here are some quotes from that chapter…

Amplifying joy and peace

In a world full of distress, natural disasters, crimes against women and children and so much more, our brains could spend the day amplifying distress.  (The brain is a natural amplifier for every kind of emotion – positive and negative.) However, as Christians we are to live differently.  Our lives should shine with hope, joy, peace, and love. How can we do this in a world that is saturated with struggles and pain?  To create a new culture of joy and peace in a practical way, we must find and amplify joy.  We amplify the news of hope when we share and listen to Immanuel stories of how God has returned us to joy from our distress and restored us to shalom in God’s presence.  Wilder, p. 50.

On my own and in my church

If Christians brimmed with love and peace, our churches would be overflowing!  We imagine an Immanuel presence in small groups, conversations, committee meetings, team meetings and sermons, and as a culture in church that amplifies joy and peace.  The beauty of Immanuel journaling is that it helps us become aware of God’s presence during painful as well as joyful moments.  Additionally, since this interaction is written out we can easily read aloud what we’ve already written.  By sharing our hearts and minds, we participate in a very powerful and unique way in the body of Christ.  A tremendous amount of healing is available for anyone willing to engage regularly in Immanuel journaling.  Wilder, p. 54.

Assignments

Note:  All assignments are to be done in the presence of the Coach (Paraklete).  Listen, watch or read until He stops you.  Write down the phrase or idea where He stopped you and dialogue with Him about it.  Interactive journaling!

  •  Watch the video of Kent and Cathy above.  Talk to the Lord about what you hear.  Begin practicing interactive gratitude as close to daily as possible on your own.
  • Screen Shot 2015-11-01 at 6.58.39 AMPurchase the book Joyful Journal:  Listening to Immanuel by Jim Wilder.  Focus for now on Chapter Six.  Practice reading until… the Coach stops you.
  • Teach interactive gratitude to your family and to your house church. Explain the concept in simple terms and then practice.Notice what happens to you and to your group as you share your journal entries.  Send me an email sharing what you are learning and how you and your house church are benefitting.  I’ll share that with the larger LK10 Community.  Let’s teach and encourage one another.
  • Also, read your interactive gratitude journal entries to your CO2 partner and your Leader Team.  Use this as an alternate way of “checking in”.  
  • Share this blog post (or the Newsletter) with others you think would benefit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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