This is the last section of modules that we cover in the SYIS workshop. The past 3 months we have
Looked at: Listening Skills; Conflict Resolution Skills; Skills For Living In Christian Community.
Missionaries and really all of us have many relationships. How does GOD want to use us and teach us in
these relationships. Please pray for us and the participants at these workshops, that the workshops will be
effective and change our lives to better represent the LORD JESUS.
THANK YOU for your prayers, encouragement and faithful financial support. We do appreciate you being
a part of this ministry with us. Please never forget that GOD is using you in our lives and the lives of others.
SKILLS FOR LIVING IN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
The Battle for Moral Purity: The growing moral breakdown among Christians is alarming. Satan now blatantly tempts us to immorality in ways that would have been ineffective only a few years ago. Each person is responsible not only to engage personally in spiritual warfare to resist sexual temptation, but to help others to effectively do battle in this arena. This session reminds us to be aware that we are all susceptible to sexual temptation. We look at the dynamics of sexual temptation and end with building a strategy for ongoing moral purity. The purpose of this session is not to bring guilt. We focus not on the past, but on building a strategy for maintaining moral purity in the future.
Managing Stress: Stress affects everyone, and a joyful, productive life depends on having skills for handling it well. These sessions provide an understanding of how stress works and how our perception dramatically affects the amount of stress we feel. They also supply strategies from God’s Word on how to manage stress well. Participants have the opportunity to: a) identify their own stressors; b) look at their reactions to stress; c) learn how to handle their own distresses, d) identify and use both spiritual and natural resources for managing stress, and much more. We look at scriptural examples to see how Jesus and others handled stress. Practical applications help individuals learn how to lower the stress that is under their control, and learn to better manage the stress situations they cannot change.
Maintaining Margin: Margin is a sufficient reserve of time, energy and money to provide for our needs and the needs of others. Margin is as essential as food, air and water. Without it people begin to wither and die: emotionally, spiritually and interpersonally. This session begins with a small group Bible study, looking at examples from Jesus’ life and discussing principles we learn from Him. One serious consequence of not maintaining margin is burnout. Participants take a Burnout Inventory to discover where they are. Through small group and whole group discussion as well as reflection, participants begin to build their own strategy to maintain more margin in their lives.
A new year begins. What will God have for us, for our family and for YOU in this new year? As we look to Him to be our ALL, let us enjoy what each new day brings. This last year has had it’s medical challenges and family challenges. Yet we continue to see GOD’s goodness and faithfulness. We are so thankful to our great GOD and count it a privilege to serve HIM.