1. Truth is not subject to human judgment, but it’s about ____________ perspective.

2.  “We may have to admit we have been wrong at times in the way we’ve viewed the world.” 

     Is it possible you have done this? Circle below if you have made faulty assumptions about:

        a. people

        b. relationships

        c. life in general

        d. God

        e. all of the the above

     Describe a time when you may have drawn negative conclusions about God because of events or circumstances in your life.

3.  “Many people lie to themselves about their experiences in life and in their relationships in order to survive.”

     Why do people lie to themselves?

     Have you lied to yourself about your experiences or relationships? If so, tell about it. 

     Did it help you survive?—If so, how?

4.   Debbie says, “You cannot create your own Truth.” In your own words, what does this mean?

5. Define COURAGE. 

     Has there been a time in your life when you were COURAGEOUS—when you did what you needed to do, even when afraid? What about when you were not courageous?

        I was courageous when I __________________________________________. 

        I was not courageous when I _______________________________________.

6.  The word DYSFUNCTIONAL means to function in an inhibited manner, in a ____________ kind of way. 

     Name one way your life been DYSFUNCTIONAL.

7.  Describe your two bodies of evidence. 

     My FAITH—What I believe, my expectations, how things SHOULD be:

     My EXPERIENCE—What actually happened/is happening:

8.    “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”—Maya Angelo

     What is the difference between allowing someone to SHOW you who they are vs TELLING you who they are?

     Describe one time in your life when you have allowed people to TELL you who they are:

     Looking at your answers above, can you admit that you LIED TO YOURSELF in certain relationships? Why did you want to believe that someone was who you wanted them to be?

     What might happen when you start believing that people are who they SHOW YOU they are?

        WORST THING THAT MIGHT HAPPEN: 

        BEST THING THAT MIGHT HAPPEN: 

        Other: 

9.   “I had borne the responsibility of the behavior of others, thinking I was acting in love. But I had it all backward. We can never be responsible for the behavior of others, only for ourselves.”

     When have you taken responsibility for others? Explain.

     Have you ever blamed someone else for your own failures? If so, when?

10.  “The failure of my life was no longer about the controllers; it was about me. I, and I alone, was responsible for my mess.”

     Why must change begin with YOU?

     What would happen if you change your circumstances but did not change YOU first?

     What might happen if you make changes in YOU before changing your circumstances?

11.  Many times your circumstances will offer hardcore evidence that is contrary to your faith, but it is important that you do not deny either your faith or your experience.  TRUE or FALSE

12.   “How could I face the fact that I could never recapture those lost years? What was I to do with my life? What now?”

     What INVESTMENTS (time, energy, caring, emotions, relationships, etc) have you made in your past that did not produce a harvest (did not work)? List them below:

     Explain how you can LET GO OF THAT PART OF YOUR PAST so you can move on.

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BONUS QUESTION: Look again at your answer to #12, about wasted investments. Can you see a WAY OF THINKING you were using during that time, that may have actually been broken thought processes at work?