Life Stew 1

INGREDIENTS Goal Setting Taking Action Gratitude Energy Time Savory Relationships 2

Goal Setting Process by which we form better habits. 3

Taking Action 5-4-3-2-1-Go! Moving with a Spirit-led focus 4

Gratitude Elevates our perspective, changes our outlook. 5

Energy We are continually being re-created with God’s never-ending, everlasting spiritual energy. 6

Time We manage our priorities and not our hours and minutes. 7

Savory Relationships Relationships are eternal. They are built on God’s love for us and our love for others. 8

Savory Relationships Two greatest commands in the Bible are built on that. Matt. 22: 36-40 9

Savory Relationships Matthew 7:12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. 10

We teach others how we would like to be treated. Savory Relationships We teach others how we would like to be treated. 11

Listening 12

Listening 13

We are losing our ability to listen. 14

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Listening Creates Understanding 18

Every good conversation starts with good listening. 19

Listening is making meaning from sound. 20

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What does the Bible say? James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 18:13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. Matthew 11:15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Proverbs 19:27 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 25

What does the Bible say? Mark 9:7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” Luke 11:28 He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Psalm 116: 1-1 I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 26

1. Good listening requires patience. God Wants Good Listeners 1. Good listening requires patience. 27

2. Good listening is an act of love. God Wants Good Listeners 2. Good listening is an act of love. 28

KEY Love of God begins with listening, so the love for our brothers and sisters begins with listening. 29

3. Good listeners ask perceptive questions. God Wants Good Listeners 3. Good listeners ask perceptive questions. 30

4. Good listening is ministry. God Wants Good Listeners 4. Good listening is ministry. 31

KEY At times what our neighbor needs most is simple for someone else to know. 32

5. Good listening prepares us to speak well God Wants Good Listeners 5. Good listening prepares us to speak well 33

The gift of grace and mercy comes only after listening. KEY The gift of grace and mercy comes only after listening. 34

6. Good listening reflects our relationship with God. God Wants Good Listeners 6. Good listening reflects our relationship with God. 35

KEY If you can no longer be listening to your brother or sister, you will soon no longer be listening to God. 36

5 Ways to improve your listening skill Silence Mixer Savoring Listening Position 37

Listening Position Passive-to-Active Reductive-to-Expansive Critical-to-Empathic 38

5 Ways to improve your listening skill Silence Mixer Savoring Listening Position R.A.S.A. 39

R.A.S.A. R= Receive A=Appreciate S=Summarize A=Ask Questions 40

Practice Listening in Christian Love Listen with the intent to understand, not the intent to reply. 41

Practice Listening in Christian Love Listen to understand Ask open questions Summarize Reflect Clarify Encourage Posture 42

To-Done Exercise Savor a Sound Find quiet and listen for as many sounds as you can In at least 3 conversations ask an INTENTIONAL open question 43

Two Weeks: -Sleep -Stress -Security 44

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