A Serious Commitment.

You will have homework and be expected to actively participate during discussions. We are looking for a group to make a commitment to each other to work together to become more dedicated and active Christians than they have been in the past. We are not looking for perfect people, we want broken people, because God wants them to know He wants them as well.

This class needs participation. Not a passive class. Even if you are not in a great place right now, walk with us. Show up. Open up. Buy-in and help us become stronger as a whole. “Strength of the wolf is the pack and the strength of the pack is the wolf.”

Ecclesiastes 10 & 12:

10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

At the end of our second class, a hand-written document was presented called the "Declaration of Dependence." Those comfortable and committed were asked to sign it, those not, were asked to wait. It can be found behind the "WARNING" sign at Family Factory. The document reads as follows:

“We, the “living the L.I.F.E.” class at SV, having been made Sons and Daughters of God the Father, through Jesus the Son, do hereby make public Declaration our complete and utter Dependence on His grace, His mercy and His love and wish, from this day forward, to become better stewards of the time, money and resources we've been given. We want to be more intentional about the way we show our faith by the life we live and by the way we love Him and love our neighbors. We will look for Him to speak to us through this group as we together strive to pray more, study more and connect more with those to which He has surrounded us. As we have signed our names and placed beside a date, we want to pledge and re-dedicate our lives to His service as humble and obedient servants. Amen.”

Personal Spiritual Assessment

From the link below or from the right side of this blog, you can download the Personal Spiritual Assessment we conducted in class today. Please complete this assessment and return it to Ty or Judy Jones. Please put your name (or a memorable distinguishing mark) on it so we can return these to you after we extract the data. Again we are only interested in the general information attained by looking at the group as a whole, the assessment is for your life and your walk.

PERSONAL SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT

Intro to Personal Spiritual Assessments

Your spiritual journey as a follower of Christ began the moment you admitted personal sin and placed your trust in Christ as Savior and Lord. From that point, until death or the return of Christ, you are called to be more Christlike, to be a disciple.

Jesus summarizes the disciple’s call in Mark 8:34-38 –

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.”

We know this is not easy.

Accomplishing such a challenging assignment requires growing in your understanding of what it means to be a Christian, expanding your personal knowledge of Biblical truth, and applying daily what you learn. Through the presence of His indwelling Spirit, God enables you to know, obey, and serve Him.

God expects His children to grow spiritually and His Word encourages personal examination as an element of growth. It's good and healthy for Christians to regularly take an inventory of how we're doing spiritually.

“Let us search out and examine our ways…” Lamentations 3:40

“Now, the Lord of Hosts says this: ‘Think carefully about your ways.’” Haggai 1:5

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalm 139:23-24

“But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else.” Galatians 6:4

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people, but as wise.” Ephesians 5:15

But how can we know in which areas, we need to focus? Well just like when you entered a new grade (at least when I was in school), there was an assessment test. Only this is not a pass/fail test, this is a tool for personal evaluation of where you are spiritually.

This assessment will allow the individuals to rank themselves in various aspects of their Christian walk, finding both strengths and weaknesses. This benchmark will allow each person to mark certain areas in which they should focus on growth and other areas where “only” maintenance is necessary.

It is our hope that this assessment will help you regain focus and priority in your spiritual walk. And if we can work to strengthen our personal relationships to God, the entire Body will be strengthened. “Seeing” Jesus is not KNOWING Jesus. We want members to be on a life long quest for wisdom, truth, understanding and most of all active discipleship. Ask, Seek and Knock are not passive commands. Luke Warm members are unhealthy members. We want the good to be better and the better to become their best.

The assessment helps you think carefully about your spiritual development related to specific spiritual disciplines; abiding in Christ, living in the Word, praying in faith, fellowship with believers, witnessing to the world, ministering to others, defending the faith, personal walk, etc. Before completing your responses, ask the Lord to guide your evaluation. Since most of these statements require a subjective response, His guidance is the key to an accurate appraisal. Also, resist the urge to compare scores with others. Self-condemnation or pride could result from such comparisons. Trust God to help you grow spiritually by revealing key issues and empowering you to take action.

This PSA is for you and your growth and will be kept private. I will be the only one looking at them and gathering collective data, then they will be returned to you. We, as a class, are only interested in group data, not personal responses, those are for you and your walk.

You can believe the Devil and his minions have already completed an assessment on you. He knows exactly where and when to attack. Shouldn't you at least be aware of those areas? So, please be honest and real with this assessment. Not where you should be, but where you are right now.

NOTE: I realize not everyone is in a “good” place right now and your outlook and assessment may not be crystal clear, but complete it anyway. Even if you can't commit to this class, even if you are not in a place of clarity, walk with us. Allow us to help. Be carried along by people who care about you.

So where are we now???

Our boy's have a growth stick. It's how we measure them as they grow and mature. We need a starting point, a baseline for our spiritual growth and maturity. We need to understand the issues and problems we face as a class. What are the things keeping you from living the Christian life you want to live. You may not fully grasp the life God is calling you to, or may be in denial that life can be better than it is, but as they say, a journey is made one step at a time and our first step will be self-evaluation and assessment. This info is for me, for you and for us. I want to coach, cheer, lead, guide, assist, help you reach whatever “next step” God has planned for you. Group growth, personal application.

We will proceed through the following as we get started:

• Issues Survey
• SV Survey
• Personal Spiritual Assessment
• Outside Observations
• Spiritual Gifts (find online)
• Spiritual Growth Plan
• Resources

Your honesty and openness will benefit group. Direct collation with results and therefore growth.

QUICK SURVEY

This is another short survey we completed to help us understand where the class members were on a few key issues and how they spend their time and resources. Again, this is completely anonymous. Please complete this form and return it to the leaders and the data will be added into the group totals.

QUICK SURVEY

L.I.F.E. and Possible Format...

Our study will directly tie-in to how we live our L.I.F.E.

L = Living the Commission

I = Impacting through Compassion

F = Finding Community

E = Encountering Christ

FORMAT:

Our class may break down as follows:

3 minutes review previous

40 minutes LIFE

20 minutes MOLD or ISSUES

5 minutes PRAYER & PRAISE

Let me answer some questions...

Is this a parenting class? Yes and no. It will, no doubt, have some devoted time to being a better parent, but it's more about us becoming better more intentional Christians (and thus better parents). Learning more about God and the life He wants for us by living more like His Son. How can we live like we say we believe?

Is this a Family Factory class? No, but we will make attempts to inform you what your children are learning week to week in their class so you can make instructive conversation about the monthly virtue.

Is this a Ty Jones class? No, I just felt called to get it started and try to share with you the vision and direction I felt that would gain the most benefit for the most people. I, along with Eric, will organize the class, facilitate and keep things on track, but I will not be up here every Sunday.

Is this an “Issues” class? No, but we will deal with issues as a part of our class time. We feel that learning to live closer to Christ and by rededicating our lives to the Lord, many of these “issues” will vanish.

General Direction...

We don't just want to survive...

We want to thrive. 

So it's not survival, it's thrival. These will be the two main components of our class - Survival and Thrival. As we deal with the most pressing issues and barriers we face as a class, this will be the survival part. But we will also be gaining understanding and reminding ourselves of God's Truths through an ongoing study, this will be the thrival part.

There are a wide variety of expectations of this class. And let me just says that this class will be exactly what you want it to be and nothing you don't want, and that's true for each of you. Obviously not, but we do feel our plan will do the most good for the most people and that God will lead the direction as He leads us individually towards His purposes. Need to convince (not convince, just remind) everyone that God loves them and has their best interests in mind – nothing else makes sense.

I'd like to introduce the class as a place where parents (and other adults) can come to grow closer to God and grow closer together. To kick things off I'd like to share with you some of what I expect from this group, I'd like for you to be excited about coming and look forward to our time together and be here as often as you can.

The direction of the class will be heavily influenced by the needs of the class. We want to be both flexible and accommodating. Right now we plan to not only have an on-going study, but also deal with “issues” as well as making weekly parenting points. We also plan on rotating leaders & teachers to keep things fresh.

Some have never heard this, some need to hear it again, some (like me) need to hear it again and again.

But we are one Body and need to be on the same page (direction = Christ over all). We can have variety of talents used (ministries) but one goal. We have no bench players, no second-stringers, no reserves, no fringe people, no outsiders, we are all on the team and in the game. We believe God has put us together, He has called you to be here.

• Church is about building relationships, but also personal responsibility
• Church is about refreshing the saved, but also bringing in the lost
• Church is about defending truth, but also about freeing the captives
• Church is about honest accountability, but also forgiveness and grace.
• Church is a family, not genological or biological, but still about blood. The blood of Christ covers us and spares us and prompts us to follow Him.

We want to rekindle that passion that once resided (or should reside) in your soul. That deep burning desire to walk with Jesus from the time your eyes open to the time they shut.

I want us to disciple each other, build each other up, and work to remove spiritual barriers

You will understand that being a parent is a very important part of who you are right now. And we want to help you on that journey (original goal of FF, to encourage and equip parents to be better parents – more intentional). But, we also know that to be a better parent, you need to be a better person and to be a better person, you need to be a better Christian. So this class is primarily about becoming more intentional in our everyday lives.

As we have been given life, we must live it for the One who allows us safe passage to eternity. What other choice do we have?

ISSUES SURVEY

During our first class, in order to fully understand the collective and specific needs of the class, an anonymous survey was given about the many "issues" we face in our lives. If you have not, please complete this survey and turn it in to our leaders. The data will only been seen by the leaders and will be used to collect information about the entire group not specific individuals.

ISSUES SURVEY

Johari's Window

In class today, we talked about a communication tool called "Johari's Window." In this window, there are 4 panes that represent different relations we have with ourselves and others - OPEN, BLIND, HIDDEN and UNKNOWN.

In the upper left pane, we are OPEN - this includes things that are known to us and known to others. An example might be that I produce Christian music. I know this and so do those around me (most of them anyway).

In the upper right pane, we are BLIND - this includes things not known to us, but known to others. An example might be that I have a bad habit of interrupting (which i do, but since i know i do, then it's not really "blind" - but you get my point).

In the lower left pane, we are HIDDEN - this includes things known to us but not known to others. An example here may be that I love eating ice cream late at night (which you can start to tell around my mid-section), I know this but others do not.

In the lower right pane, we are UNKNOWN - this includes things not known to us or others. An example may be how I would react if I were in a hostage situation. Since I've never been in one, I don't know and neither does anyone else.

What you want to happen, as relationships are built and time is spent, "things" move from the BLIND and HIDDEN panes into the OPEN panes. Then you and those around you can deal with issues or differences with everything out in the open.

You may not be ready to "spill the beans" just yet, but we are hoping that as we journey together God allows you to open up and be honest with this group as I feel He has placed us together for our mutual benefit.

A Time and A Place

Over the last several years I have felt that we needed to have a time and place to meet together – to learn, to share, to encourage each other, to laugh, to cry, to grow closer to God together, but until now that opportunity had not made itself available. But, over those months and years, I have been studying and listening and praying and taking notes, fully expecting that one day the Lord would allow me to share all that I have on my heart. I feel that time is now and I pledge to you that I will do everything I can do to help you become stronger and deeper and more intentional with your faith, as I also hope you will make the same pledge to help me do the same. But, we have to be willing to open up and be honest with who we are and where we are in order to make real progress. I know that may sound like too much to ask but let me reassure you I'm not asking it of you right now. God will let you know when it's time to share your story for the benefit of the group. 

See we need to see our past errors, our past sins, our past screw ups, as what they really are – sins! “Just” sins. Results of poor decisions or reactions to situations that yielded damaging and sometimes life-altering scars. But what if God allowed that to happen because He knew it was for your benefit? Or perhaps the benefit of those around you? Can He not make lemonade from lemons? Can He not make a Sin-a-bon from sin?

I am not saying God caused the bad to happen. In most cases, we bring it on ourselves, in other cases, it just happens as it's tied into a much larger picture that we can't see. But God, no doubt, loves you and wants the very best for you. It's very much like our own children, right? We give them warnings not to do something, but until they do it and suffer the consequences the lesson is not learned. Please try to look at your past, your present and the future as lessons to learn, opportunities to grow and share.

We must come together and share our experiences, our strengths, our weaknesses, our talents, gifts, our knowledge and any wisdom that we have squeezed from those lemons. We need to rally around each other, encourage each other and lift each other up.

Class Intro

I'd like to welcome you to our oasis. As you look around you will see palm trees swaying in the breeze, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, cool sand below your feet, and a warm sun above your head. See, these are the images we are “sold” when it comes to living our lives. But when you make it about halfway (we most of us are right now), you realize that it's not a tropical paradise. 

In fact, it's much more like Gilligan's Island or LOST. You may find yourselves shipped wrecked on a deserted island, struggling to survive, wondering how things got so bad and whether you should set up camp near the beach or the back in the jungle near the fresh water. Or worse, you may be living comfortably in cabins with the “others,” having slipped into a unintentional life, satisfying selfish desires and thinking the “stuff” we have is ours.

The world you find yourself in is a little more corrupt and hostile than you first thought and it seems the forces of darkness are gaining ground, closing in, even perhaps taking over. But here's the Good News, the Great News! Our God, our Lord, our Savior has overcome the world. The ending, the great reveal, the spoiler is this: we win!

It's time that we start living like winners in the Lord Jesus Christ not like the world from which we've been saved.

Welcome!

Just wanted to start this blog out by saying "welcome." 

We are excited about the time and place God has made available for us to get together and talk about the issues we have and how we hope to live more fruitful and pleasing lives for our Lord. This class meets in the gym at Sycamore View Church in Memphis, TN and although it's composed mostly of parents, all are welcome! Our schedule is unusual because of our super-cool family ministry program called Family Factory. Since it meets every first and last Sunday of the month, we meet the Sundays in between. We started this class last week, March 14th and finished our second class today, March 21st, 2010. 

During these first two classes, we spent time explaining the direction and format of the class. I hope to post those thoughts next...

E-Mail Teaser before class started...

• Have you recently felt a stirring deep within you that God is awakening parts of you that haven't been awake in a long time and that those parts need to be fed? me too! (if not, would you like to have that feeling???)
• Have you been struggling with things in your life that seems so big that it's hard to concentrate on anything else? me too!
• If you step back and look at your life, could it be described as lukewarm? me too!
• Are there things that, as a parent, just bug the snot out of you and you wish you had some valuable insight from a great parenting guru who could help you solve them? me too!
• Are you in a good place right now and just want to surround yourself with strong Christians that will keep you moving and accountable? me too!

If any of these describe you, then YOU NEED TO BE A PART OF THIS NEW CLASS.

It's hard for me to emphasize how important these first 2 classes will be. If any of the above describes you, please make every effort to be present during these first two classes – March 14th and March 21st. I will be handing out 12-14 pieces of paper that will change the direction of your spiritual life.

You can find out what “Thrival” and “Sin-A-Bon” mean. We will also be revealing the conclusion of the TV show LOST - how's that for intrigue?