August 2007 Archives
Here is a group photo of the people who took the training in Indianapolis, Indiana. They learned how to facilitate a conversation to help people resolve their most pressing issues. They learned about the two agreements each person must agree to before beginning a courageous conversation. These agreements are based on the process of reconciliation taught by Jesus in Matthew 18. “
Two Agreements of a Courageous Conversation
1. I agree to hear until my conversation partner is satisfied that I have understood their viewpoint and their feelings regarding the issue. This does not mean they have to agree with the person’s viewpoint or feelings, but understand it.
- Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matthew 18:15
2. I agree to go for the good, acceptable and perfect will of God by considerately listening to your perspective as well as courageously sharing my perspective.
- Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 18:19
Couples learn through interactive training sessions that are facilitated by Chris Hogan. The training consists of teaching, opportunities to practice each step of a courageous conversation, and facilitate a courageous conversation as a coach. Particpants witness Chris facilitating a courageous conversation and they have opportunities to ask questions.
Each question of a courageous conversation is reviewed and the reason for it is explained so a trained facilitator knows what to look for during each stage of the process. There are five stages to a courageous conversation that we review.
Five Stages of a Courageous Conversation
- Pressing Issue Discover Truth
- Painful Consequence Accept Reproof
- Personal Responsibility Course Correction
- Potential Future Vision of Hope
- Powerful Plans Training in Righteousness
Goals of a Courageous Conversation
The participants gain a thorough understanding of the goals of a courageous conversation so they can maintain a proper focus throughout the conversation.
- Come To reconcile our relationship through God’s wisdom.
- Call To research and gain understanding of the core issues.
- Clothe To resolve our core issues with the knowledge of God.
- Connect To restore one another with God’s love that casts out fear.
“Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4
To read more click on 10 Questions of a Courageous Conversation
Posted by Chris Hogan on Aug 05, 2007
We take turns reading through the Wisdom Booklet and stop to discuss key points. It is amazing to see how the children can relate current activities to the principles of God’s Word. Some of my goals for a proper education of my children are found in Proverbs 22:19-21
Goals of a Christian Education
1. My children will trust in the Lord
“That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.”
2. My children will be certain about the infallibility of the Word of God
“That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth”
3. My children would share the truth of God with their generation.
“That thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee”
I used to imagine that my children would sit perfectly upright around the table and listen with rapt interest at all that was read, shared and discussed. I have now come to understand that sometimes children will be under the table, drawing, writing and doodling but they will pop up and enter into discussions letting me know they were listening.
One of the things I’ve learned about doing research with my children is that they want me to be a learner as well. A great method for teaching is to ask questions so the children become curious and discover for themselves the truths of God. A goal I have for myself is to draw out the counsel that is deep within the hearts of my children with wise questions. Solomon wrote, “Counsel in the heart of man is deep and a man of understanding draws it out.” Proverbs 20:5 Instead of trying to teach my children material, I want to introduce God’s Word, help them research it’s meaning and then tell me verbally what they are learning, discuss with me ideas, and put it into writing. We don’t try to cover material as much as we try to facilitate discussions around the material in our Wisdom Books.
The last part of our time in study is to pray these things back to God. David said, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee,” When truth is cast upon us, we are to pray it back to God and allow Him to work it into our lives by grace and the Holy Spirit. We cry out like David, “I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth [all things] for me.”
Posted by Chris Hogan on Aug 05, 2007
We are embarking on a new school year, which means reviewing our priorities and prayerfully arranging our schedules. Families are asking how to set priorities so they can press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. As we set family goals and develop our schedules, these are the three priorities we must keep in mind.
Top Three Priorities
1. Be Person Centered
This means we have placed Jesus Christ at the center of our lives. We allow Him to live in and through us to do the will of the Father. Without Jesus at the center we cannot even desire to do the will of the Father. Jesus gives us the freedom to choose and to willingly offer our freedom unto God as a pleasing sacrifice to be used for His glory, just as Christ did as He walked this earth as a man. Centered in the Person of Christ, we find Jesus meets our deepest needs and provides security and significance in Him.
This priority will develop you into a credible messenger of God’s love to your children.
2. Be Principle Governed
This means we govern our relationships by God’s Word. All relationships are governed by principles. God has taught us how to love through the principles contained in His commands. Principles are God’s universal cause-and-effect sequences that are true throughout all eternity and applicable at all times in all places. They differ from values in that values are subjective and may or may not be based on principles. The closer our values align with God’s principles the straighter will be our paths. God gave Adam and Eve His command and blessing for a couple, He gave Israel the 10 commandments to govern their nation, and He gave all of us the commands of Christ to govern every sphere of life. God balances His truth with equal and opposite principles such as law and grace. Acting on principle is never an either/ or choice but a both/and action to apply with God’s wisdom. We need to be Person (Christ) Centered to have the wisdom to apply His commands.
This priority will turn your home into a safe, joy-filled ministry center.
3. Be Purpose Motivated
We experience God’s energy and power as we discern His purpose for our lives and understand that we are God’s workmanship created for good works. (See Ephesians 2:10, Titus 2:14.) Our goal is to hit the mark for which God as made us by developing the our full potential in spirit, soul, mind and strength.
This priority will help you incrementally release your children into God’s purposes for their lives.
When we are Person-centered and principle-governed we will be able to do God’s will, in God’s way, within God’s timing because we are supplied with His resources to bless the nations.
To go deeper read the article Noble Planning Part 1: Person, Principle, and Purpose
Posted by Chris Hogan on Aug 22, 2007
Posted by Administrator on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 12:08 PM
