First things first! Let’s get prepared for Session 1.
After completing this section (Part 1: Prepare) you’ll be fully prepped to meet with your (in person or virtual) Wholehearted University small group.
I (Joel) highly recommend engaging with Part 2: Reflect. Here, I highlight the most important information from each chapter of The Wholehearted Journey book. (Additionally, I understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise during the next 9 weeks. If you don't complete all the reading/listening for your upcoming class, it would helpful to watch/listen to the short video in this section prior to class.)
If you’re journeying solo, after you’ve completed this section, feel free to venture into Part 2 & 3 now or later on this week. (Pro Tip: Schedule it in your calendar now, include date and time (60min.))
Let’s Go!
Read/Listen: Introduction & Chapter 1 (The Wholehearted Journey) (29 min.)
Download Session 1 Reading (below):
Audio Book: Intro & Chapter 1
Now that you’ve read/listened... it’s time to engage in the following exercise. You’ll be so glad you did!
YOUR WHOLEHEARTED JOURNEY EXERCISE: (5 min.)
Understanding your Story
The stories of our life often flow like this:
Shalom (Peace) - During this season we experienced a sense of joy, safety and innocence.
Shattering - Something or someone wounds us deeply and shatters this season of shalom.
Self-satisfy - We attempt to satisfy what was lost on our own—alleviate the pain of our wound and seek to restore our lost sense of shalom. (We may employ self-satisfying tactics knowingly, but, much of the time, we do so unknowingly.) Our own attempts to self-satisfy are always temporary. While they may momentarily help us get by—cope—or numb the pain, they do not heal the wound, nor fully restore our peace. When we discover that we cannot successfully accomplish these things on our own, we are more likely to search for help (a book, a counselor, a Savior and, in the best case, all of the above). If this occurs, entering the forth stage then becomes possible.
Salvation - Our wound is healed, shalom is restored and a “better life” is reclaimed.
The Wholehearted Journey is designed to guide you deeper into this 4th stage—"Salvation"—or, as Jesus described it, the “better life.”
The first step in this process toward a “better life”, will necessitate that you choose a story from your past. (In a future chapter, you’ll have the opportunity to express your story through written word, but, for now, all that’s required is that you think about which episode of your life may need revisiting.) This story will, courageously, need to be one of shattering (stage 2). This shattering may have transpired 4 weeks ago or 40 (or more) years ago, but—as you decide, please keep this in mind—the younger you were were when the shattering story occurred, the greatest power (and potential) it has to heal your past, restore your peace and thrust you into that "better life" Jesus prepared for you.
Though many of us may already have an idea of a story we might need to recall, the very best way to go about deciding, is to ask Jesus—the healer of shattered hearts—what story he would like you to return to. Why don’t we do that now.
Jesus, which story would you like me to write about on my wholehearted journey? Please make it clear, which episode of my life you would like to guide me into.
In addition, please don’t feel the pressure to have to make your story selection right now. You’ll have plenty of time to think and pray about it over the next two chapters. In them, I will vulnerably share a few shattering episodes from my own story. I’ve done this in part, to provide an example of how to go about choosing (and, eventually, writing about) your own.
If you’re journeying with a Wholehearted University class, you’re now prepared to meet with your group.
You’ll journey through Part 2 & 3 when you meet with your colleagues, but—for those who like to be extra prepared—you’re more than welcome to venture into Part 2 & 3 prior.
