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Living the Joyful Life

The Rector’s Forum

+We were made to live in joy!

We were made to live in alternating rhythms of

joy and shalom.

+Scripture is full of joy!

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10

I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy. John 15:11

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

+JOY

Is relational and contagiousStarts with a smileHelps brains grow Reduces stress Improves immunityHas more social impact than looking sexy

Raises brighter, more resilient childrenTransforms lives!

+Where does Joy come from?

We experience joy when someone is glad to be with us. Signal goes back and forth six times a

second. Both brains release dopamine. Builds a stronger brain for both.

It is so important to see children as a blessing to receive them with joy!

+Appreciation Exercise but first some guidelines

We want to create a safe culture of sharing who we really are without overwhelming each other.

Respect the confidentiality of what is shared; do not repeat it to others.

Tenderly protect each other’s flaws.

+Group Guidelines

Supportive listening is always appropriate. Advice/criticism/comments are not.

Sharing is strongly encouraged, but not required. “Pass” is always an option.

Stay on topic, respect time limits, and make sure everyone gets a turn.

+Now to our Appreciation

Exercise

Appreciation exercises 2A and 2B taken from

Forming: Change by Grace, © 2011 by David Takle,

a Life Model class workbook, pages 27 and 31.

+What is the Life Model, and where did it come from?

The Life Model is an idealized model for all of life.

Came from Shepherd’s House Ministry to street kids Morphed into a counseling center Began to specialize in failed leaders Undertook a comprehensive study of failed leaders,

asking what went wrong. Resulted in an idealized model. What would life have

been like if all your needs were met appropriately and you learn to do every task at the right age?

+Life is divided into five stages

Infant (age 0-4)

Child (age 4-12)

Adult (age 13-birth of first child)

Parent (birth of first child until that child leaves home)

Elder (after children are grown and gone)

+Primary Task for each stage

Infant: Learns to receive

Child: Learns to take care of his/herself

Adult: Can satisfy two (his/herself and one other)

Parent: Can take care of his/herself and their family

Elder: Cares for self and community

+What we need to thrive

Multigenerational Community

Immanuel Lifestyle

Tenderness towards weakness

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One in three people in world claims to be Christian!

What if all of them lived in joy?