Health Through Faith and Community A Study Resource © 1998 Ed Canda

Health Through Faith and Community Session 1 A Holistic Christian Vision of Health Through Faith and Community © 2001 Aaron Ketchell

Health Through Faith and Community Overhead Study Guide Principles Intention: Each session begins with a prayer to reinforce the groups intention to learn. Information: Pertinent information from spiritual, scholarly, and other sources is presented to increase knowledge and present topics for exploration. Inspiration: Material is included from pertinent Christian sources, scriptures, personal stories, and other materials as a way to inspire participants spiritually, intuitively, and emotionally.

Health Through Faith and Community Overhead Study Guide Principles Introspection: Moments of quiet and self-reflection exercises are offered in order to help participants to be in touch with their inner responses to the material. Interaction: Each session includes time for discussion and interactive exercises so participants can learn from each other. Integration: A Christian perspective on faith and health will infuse the study guide and integrate many aspects of health.

Health Through Faith and Community Overhead Values to Guide Our Group Trust: To be open and honest, participants must be able to trust one another to keep these values within the sessions and after the sessions are completed. A sense of trust means that things said in confidence should remain in confidence. Sincerity: All our communications should be honest and sincere. When we sense one anothers sincerity, we will know that we have a real commitment to one another and the community. Respect: We must treat one another with respect at all times, in both speech and action. No one should monopolize the time of the group. Everyone should have an equal opportunity to participate.

Health Through Faith and Community Overhead Values to Guide Our Group Willingness to learn: We need to be willing to learn, to increase our awareness of both our strengths and our limitations, and to work on issues at hand. Everyone is engaged in learning in different ways at different levels. It is a lifelong process. Lets support each other in our learning. Agreement to disagree: Real maturity and respect in communication go beyond being comfortable with like- minded people. We need to acknowledge and respect differences and disagreements. If we agree to disagree, we can search for a common understanding that is deeper than the disagreement but that also respects our right to be different.

Health Through Faith and Community Overhead Values to Guide Our Group Commitment to work through issues: If disagreements or challenges arise, we need to be persistent in working them through. Otherwise, tension can develop and linger. Working through issues leads to insight and nurturing relationships.

Health Through Faith and Community Overhead Preliminary Definitions Overall well-being: A sense that a person has a general positive condition of life that results from harmonizing the physical, mental, social, and spiritual areas of ones life. Physical health: A good condition and functioning of the body such as physical vitality, healthy diet, balanced lifestyle, ability to accomplish daily activities, and possession of good skills to address physical limitations. Mental health: Peace of mind, clear thinking, and emotional balance.

Health Through Faith and Community Overhead Preliminary Definitions Social health: Well-being of ones community and society and ones relationship to them as an active member. Spiritual health: Heightened awareness of ones spirituality and ongoing spiritual growth. Faith: A belief and trust in God and awareness of Gods loving presence in the world. This can act as a source of daily insight and encouragement and as a base for strength and hope in times of difficulty.

Health Through Faith and Community Overhead Preliminary Definitions Religion: A formally organized institutional framework of beliefs, values, and practices for remembering, honoring, and growing faith through both public and private expressions. Spirituality: A way of exploring and developing the deep meaning, purpose, and values of life in relationship to ourselves, others, and God. This yields a commitment to live responsibly and lovingly in relation to loved ones, other people, communities, and the world. For most Americans, this includes a life of faith and participation in religious groups.

Health Through Faith and Community Overhead Preliminary Definitions All of these terms imply: Reliance on relationships (personal and communal) Journey or process of life and faith Interconnection of person, society, world, and God Balance and harmony between different aspects of well-being