Living An Examined Life

In our fifteen years of working together, Gary and I realize that God has put a few key messages on our hearts. They are:

• Calling, Hearing God, Friendship, Humility …
• … and the incredible spiritual value of Living an Examined Life.

Christian self-examination is not narcissistic self-preoccupation, nor is it is morbid self-flagellation. Christian self-examination is the learned skill of breaking free from the things that hold us back and the awakened spiritual recognition of the talents God has planted in us for His Kingdom.

It’s a jail-break seminar coupled with spiritual-investment counseling.

We encourage you to take this course. We believe that Christian self-examination is an undervalued but absolutely needed spiritual discipline. More like a gift.

We have five sessions. The first explores the importance of the examined life. The next four examine our relationship with our Heart, with the World, with Others, and with God.

Each session has a teaching followed by time for personal reflection. It’s good to do solo or as a small group.

While this recording took place at a men’s retreat, like all our teaching, it is equally important for women and men (just like Calling, Hearing God, and Friendship).

We pray you will be blessed.

Sam and Gary

PS: Below is a simple outline of the five lessons:

Session 1: Why Live an Examined Life?

• Being Vigilant
• Clarity and Invitation
• Examination: Balance and Burden
• Examination: Is it I?
• Honesty and Humility
• Examination and Curiosity
• Christian Self-examination

Session 2: Examining Our Relationship with Our Hearts

• The Heart is Ground Zero
• The Treasury of the Heart
• Testing and Filling the Heart
• Curious About Your Heart’s Reaction

Session 3: Examining Our Relationship with the World

• We All Miss the Essence of the World
• A System of Answers: Independent of God
• Reliance on “Natural” Gifting
• The World’s Answers to the Deepest Issues of Life

Session 4: Examining Our Relationship with Others

• Loving Others Well
• Your Warning Label
• Vigilant to Our Motives
• You Must Know Their Story

Session 5: Examining Our Relationship with God

• The Tests of God
• The Storms of God
• The “Irresponsible” Timing of God
• When God Allows Betrayals and Trauma and Shame
• Considering the Steadfast Love of the Lord