HELPING OTHERS TO GET “UNSTUCK”

The Alm Family Eric and Beth Alm

Ebagcpost.net

816.783.3481

How do you help women to get Unstuck?• Objectives today are to answer the following questions:• How do you see the women that you serve get stuck?• How do you help women that have a difficult time speaking up?• How do you help women that have a difficult time listening to others?•What are some ways that we see ourselves get stuck?• How do we help the women in our studies take the head knowledge that they are learning in the study and apply it in their hearts and lives?

• Be alert to lies that people might believe about themselves and about God and speak the Truth!

Fact Faith/Belief Feeling Behaviors

Feelings Faith/Belief Fact Behaviors

• Romans 12:2New International Version (NIV)• 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• 2 Corinthians 10:5New International Version (NIV)•  5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

• Philippians 4:8-9New International Version (NIV)• 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Faith Principle• Faith Definition: Faith is choosing to live as though God’s Word is true

regardless of circumstances, emotions or cultural trends.

• Naturally I would: The Truth of God’s Word says:

• Feel guilty In Christ, I am seen as blameless.• Try to earn God’s favor In Christ, I am fully and

completely loved.

• Believe I am not good enough In Christ, I have been

chosen and able to do good works.

We Respond by asking:

• How would my life be different if I was living as though God’s Word were true?

 • Pray that your thoughts and behaviors come into line with the truth of God’s Word.

Unhelpful Thinking Styles• You can run a belief that you are struggling with through the “Unhelpful

Thinking Styles” test.

• Examples:• Emotional Reasoning: “I feel like God is far away and not listening to me,

so that must be true.”• Should and Must Reasoning: “I should already know how to do this, so I

can’t go to God for help.”• Jumping to Conclusion Reasoning: “God won’t answer this prayer, or help

me this time.” “This is not something that is important to God.” • If you find yourself or hear a woman that you are serving use any of these

unhelpful thinking styles, it is a perfect time to apply the faith principle to these areas of life and watch God’s truth transform and renew your mind.

Practice using the faith principle at your table:• Emotional Reasoning: “I feel like God is far away and not listening to me, so that must be true.”• Should and Must Reasoning: “I should already know how to do this, so I can’t go to God for help.”• Jumping to Conclusion Reasoning: “God won’t answer this prayer, or help me this time.” “This is not something that is important to God.” 

• Pray, and pray using scripture! Put on the armor of God before going into your study.

Make your group as safe and as inviting as possible.

• Model unconditional love and acceptance.• Allow yourself to be honest and not need to know the

answers to all of the questions.• Model not being upset or nervous if someone cries. • When people share their struggles model and make it clear

that we do not need to fix anyone. We can listen and provide comfort and empathy.• Give equal attention to all of the women in the group.• Set clear guidelines for the group, taking the leadership role

when needed.

• One common way that we can get stuck is by looking at our sin more than our Savior.• Take time to worship!• Hebrews 12:1&2 “ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

• Be as prepared as possible for your lesson, knowing the material and what questions that you would like to ask.

• Pg.47 Questions to Aid in Group Discussion• Pg.53 Encouraging Group Members• Pg. 55 The 5 A’s of Loving Others• Pg. 63 Group Leader Personal Assessment• Pg. 65 Accountability Questions

Women in Community Mission/Vision Statement• To equip and release women leaders who know and express the authentic Christ in Northwest Arkansas and the world.• Discipleship defined: Truth and life transferred in the context of authentic relationship for the purpose of multiplication.