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Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past My present My Future Why I’m doing this, and what I hope to accomplish - Let Me Introduce You to Each Other Interview the person next to you with these questions, then introduce t hem to the group. Who are you? ________________________________________________________________________ Where have you been? ________________________________________________________________ Where are you going? ________________________________________________________________ What do you enjoy? __________________________________________________________________ What are your dreams? _______________________________________________________________ What is your favorite color, and why? ___________________________________________________ Let Me Introduce You to My Lord How I Came to Know Jesus How Jesus Would Like to Know You Expectations of the Group Be on time! Be committed! Be part of the whole! I commit to end on-time. One-on-one needs will be handled after the meeting. Prayer Needs Share what prayer needs there are within this group then as a group, pray for those needs.

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Page 1: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

Let Me Int roduce You to Myse l f, Your Mentor

My past –

My present –

My Future –

Why I’m doing this,

and what I hope to accomplish -

Let Me Int roduce You to Each Other Interview the person next to you with these questions, then introduce t hem to the group.

Who are you? ________________________________________________________________________

Where have you been? ________________________________________________________________

Where are you going? ________________________________________________________________

What do you enjoy? __________________________________________________________________

What are your dreams? _______________________________________________________________

What is your favorite color, and why? ___________________________________________________

Let Me Int roduce You to My Lord

How I Came to Know Jesus –

How Jesus Would Like to Know You –

Expectat ions of the Group

Be on time!

Be committed!

Be part of the whole!

I commit to end on-time. One-on-one needs will be handled after the meeting.

Prayer Needs

Share what prayer needs there are within this group – then as a group, pray

for those needs.

Page 2: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

My Purpose in L i fe

The author’s testimony: Early Life – From the time I was four years old, I always wanted to be a teacher and mother. I

became a Christian at an early age and purposed to do the will of God. Life’s Verse – I studied the Bible. One night during testimony time the Lord gave me Philippians

1:6, “He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to carry it to completion until the day of

Jesus Christ.” Life’s Chapter – When I went away to college the Lord gave me Psalm 27 as my life’s chapter.

Through the years many of its verses have comforted and directed me. Fulfilling my purpose as a teacher and mother has brought me a great sense of accomplishment in

my life. As my life changes, my purpose continues to expand in many directions.

God’s Purpose God has a purpose for every life (Ephesians 2:10). Our basic purpose

is to worship Him in all we do. Each one of us is given gifts to develop

and use for Godly purposes. Find out what you are good at doing, and

ask God to multiply those gifts in your life. Your life is like a circle with

God at the center. If you divide up the circle into sections, the sections

can change, but the circle itself remains the same – with God at the

center of it.

Here are a few more thoughts on purpose:

Our basic responsibility is to take care of ourselves and our families. No one else can

do that for you.

Keeping commitments you have made is part of your purpose in life. Learn to

recognize distractions that come disguised as commitments – and say “no” to them

so that you are not drawn away from fulfilling your true commitments.

You are valuable to God and to the Body of Christ just like you are. Seek God, and

ministry will follow you. Ministry to God is good works, but ministry with God’s

direction is His Will.

What sections fill your Life Circle

right now? (Mark them on the circle

provided)

Page 3: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

My Gi ft s We are each gifted in one of these areas: our head, our hands, or our heart

Head - analyzes, smart, thinks things through, brainy

Hands - works hard, does the job needed, hands-on server

Heart - a people person, motivated by feelings, cares for others

God told Moses, “What is in your hand?” In what area do you feel the most gifted? There is a place

for your gift to flourish.

There are some moments in life when you have this feeling. It brings a

feeling of total fulfillment.

Name a couple of moments in your life when that happened to you:

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

F inding Your Godly Purpose Take time to think through and answer the following questions:

What abilities and gifts has God given you? ______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What is your purpose in life? ___________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

How are you currently living out that purpose? ___________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

What are some of the things that keep you from your purpose? _____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Prayer Can you think of a Bible verse that has special meaning for you?

A life verse? A life chapter? Share it with the person next to you.

Pray for each other that God’s purposes will come forth in your lives.

This

is what

I was created

to do!

Page 4: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

F i rst , To Have a Friend, You Must Be One

Here are a few guidelines that help to lay the foundation for successful friendships:

Share of yourself. Share your interests, values, history and feelings.

Listen deeply. Listen with care, ask questions to show your interest, clarify what is said. Let your

body language communicate that you care about what is being said, maintain eye contact, face the

person as they speak, give them your undivided attention.

Practice acts of kindness. Nurture the relationship.

Return the friendship that is shown to you. Give to the relationship in time and thought.

Keep commitments. Keep them even if it requires sacrifice, and remember to be accessible.

Be friends with yourself. Balance friendship with solitude. Give yourself time, restore your soul,

and learn to deal with loneliness (a normal part of life).

Keep practicing friendship. Friendship is the fire we warm ourselves by in the journey of life.

Spend time with friends sharing, listening, giving kindness, and providing emotional support for one

another.

Leve ls of Fr iendsh ip

Friends fall into three basic categories. It is healthy to have friends at each level:

Level 3 - acquaintances, seen rarely, but on a warm, though impersonal basis

Level 2 - good friends, see each other occasionally for friendship

Level 1 - best friends, soul mates, few in a life time.

Form a Team of Friends

One-on-one friendship can be too intimidating for some people. Find

friends who meet different needs in your life: Cheerleader friends

motivate you to try new things, Proverbs 27:17; Comfort friends cheer

you and listen; Resource friends give you needed information,

Ecclesiastes 4:9&10; A needy friend is someone you can give what you

have received; Old friends cherish memories of the past, Proverbs 27:10; Honest friends keep you

accountable and on-track; Friends of different ages and cultures enlarge your world view.

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

The World are

strangers; if

you want a

friend, you

have to go out

and make one.

My team of friends: _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________

Page 5: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

A Friend of God God is the dearest, closest and best friend you will ever have! Deepen your spiritual life. Loneliness

is an indicator that God is drawing you to Himself. Be a friend to God like Abraham.

F i ve Love Languages We all have our own “love language”. It is what makes us feel most loved

when communicated to us by others. There are five basic love languages.

Individuals have one predominant love language. Here are the five:

Words of Affirmation Quality Time Communication

Acts of Kindness Giving/Receiving Gifts

What language makes you feel loved? ____________________________

What language makes your friend feel loved? ______________________

Learn From the Past

Who have been some of your best friends? _______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

What qualities did you like most about them? ___________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Food for Thought

Are you looking for a friend? Who do you have near you already,

waiting for you to respond to their friendship? Are you taking

initiative to be a friend? Find a new friend in this group, give

them a call, and invite them to lunch.

Name ________________________ Phone # _____________

Name ________________________ Phone # _____________

Name ________________________ Phone # _____________

Notes____________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Make new

friends but

keep the old;

one is silver,

and the other

gold.

Page 6: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

Every woman has three parts: body, soul, and spirit.

I am a spirit.

I have a soul.

I live in a body.

The spirit is the part of you that will live forever. The soul contains

your mind, will, and emotions. The body is the physical part of you

we can all see. Each part has different needs. Each part can be

hurt and need healing.

Physical Pain - Body

“Lord, are you feeling that?” - Yes, He is.

Pursue health. Be proactive in taking care of your body by eating a proper

diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest. Listen to your body.

Take care of your physical appearance. Take time to uphold standards of cleanliness and

neatness.

Trust God and His Word. God’s Word is healing. Each one take a scripture, read, and explain it:

Isaiah 53, Proverbs, 3:7&8, James 5:14, Exodus 15: 26, Psalm 103:3

Do you have a testimony of physical healing? ___________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have a physical need the group can pray for? ____________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Soul Pain – Mind, Wi l l , Emotions Our mind can become filled with stress, painful feelings from the past, and the cares of life.

Renew your mind by the Word, Romans 8.

Let God restore your soul, Psalm 23. He will restore what the

“locusts” have eaten from your mind. How? By the Holy Spirit, Jude

1.

Change your focus, allow praise and worship to heal you. It’s all

about Him.

Understand twisted thinking versus truth, and ask God to help you

distinguish between the two in your life. “You will know the TRUTH,

and the truth will set you FREE.” A friend can speak truth into our

lives.

What thoughts do you struggle with? __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Imagination

is the greatest

nation you

will ever

conquer.

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 7: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

Spir it Pain – Lonel iness, Guilt , S in, Condemnation Inside every person is a vacuum only God can fill. If we look for all our

fulfillment in other people, we will live in disappointment. Our spirit must

be reborn by faith in Christ. He is our reason to live - no one else and

nothing else should be. Loneliness draws us to Himself.

We can be free from guilt and condemnation. Christ took our punishment

for our sins. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of

all our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – I John 1:9

“There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus . . .”

Have you received Christ into your heart? Have you made a total commitment of your life to Him?

It’s as easy as A-B-C: confess you are a sinner, believe Jesus died for your sins, ask Jesus into your

heart. Romans 10:9&10

When did you make a commitment to Christ? ___________________________________________

Accountability Corner - How do you rate yourself?

How are you taking care of your physical body? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Poorly Very Well

Have you dealt with the pains of the past? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Not at All

Completely

How is your relationship with God? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Not good

Excellent

Would you like some personal time with your mentor to pray with you?

Prayer

Divide up by two’s, share, and pray together.

Life’s hurts

bring God’s

healing.

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 8: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

Housework A clean house is a blessing! If you have order in your home, your family

schedule will run more smoothly. Before you go to bed, put things away.

There are multiple benefits to developing this discipline:

1. When you get up the house will be in order and you will feel

ready to start your day.

2. The house won’t distract you from your devotion time.

3. You won’t have to constantly nag everyone about the condition

of the house.

Keeping your home clean helps everyone. Dusting and vacuuming not only

hold dust at bay, but also help allergies. Washing, especially in the kitchen

and bathrooms, fights germs that hold illnesses. It is good for the whole

family, so let the whole family help: delegate responsibilities to the rest of

the family, and hold them accountable! Here is a guideline that will help

housework to not be overwhelming: Daily – straighten

Weekly – clean room by room

Monthly/Seasonally – clean shower curtains, blinds, windows, and other dirt & dust

collectors (and don’t forget the front glass door).

Laundry Taking care of your family’s clothes is important. When we dress

neatly, we feel better about ourselves. Teaching your family to

keep their clothes put away keeps the house neater. Clean-

out unused clothes often. Wash whites and lights in warm

water, and darks in cold water. Air drying darks makes the

Mentor Housekeeping Tips

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

You set the

atmosphere

for your

home,

Madame. It

can be a place

of peace and

joy.

Page 9: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

color’s brightness last longer. Folded clothes are a work of art!

(Have a contest)

Deal ing with Junk Mail

Junk mail can build -up to mountains of paper. As you read

your mail, throw away unnecessary pieces THEN – don’t wait.

It will just keep growing into piles you’ll have to deal with later.

Have a certain place for bills and important papers. When your

husband asks (and he will ask), you can direct him to that drawer or file.

In terior Decorating Select a favorite picture, a piece of fabric, or even your couch as a source of

inspiration. From it, pull together 2 or 3 coordinating colors. Use these

colors as the basis for decorating your entire home. Sticking with the 2 or 3

will give your home a uniform, professionally-decorated look. An easy and

economical way to decorate is with paint (and here’s a little advice: semi-

gloss and gloss are easier to keep clean than flat paint). If you’re

adventurous, experiment with decorative paint finishes such as sponges.

You will have your own style, but enhance your ideas by looking in

magazines at the library. Develop an eye for simple beauty. Shop thrift

stores and yard sales for good bargains.

What colors do you have in your home? ______________________________________________

What would your dream home look like? _____________________________________________

What would it include?_____________________________________________________________

Accountability Corner’

Share with the person next to you an area in your home that needs cleaning (junk drawer, closet, desk,

etc.) Hold each other accountable and call each other before the next class to see if the job is done!

Name_______________________________ Phone # _____________________

Area of Accountability: _______________________________________________________________

Prayer

“Lord, make our homes a haven for our families,

and help me do it!”

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 10: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

“Teach us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90

Refrigerator Talk Communication in the home is very important. Help facilitate

communication. Here are a few practical ways you can do that:

Keep a sheet on the refrigerator for important messages.

Keep a notepad by the phone for messages.

Keep a calendar in a prominent place so everyone can keep up with

important dates, commitments, and family times.

Take advantage of mealtimes – they are important times of

communication. Try to keep stressful topics away from the table, or

no one will want to eat.

Even with the best of intentions, miscommunication can still happen.

Be understanding. “My times are in thy hands, O Lord.” Meals It is up to you to provide healthy meals for your family. A good reference source

for healthy meal planning is the Food Triangle, and it does take PLANNING,

healthy meals don’t just happen. Menu planning is an important tool in

helping your family eat right, as is regular, planned grocery shopping.

Intentionally buy good foods, not having “bad” foods on-hand makes

them much easier not to eat. Good snacks like yogurt, fruit, and

veggies are important to keep around. Fast food is convenient and

sometimes necessary, but don’t make a habit of it.

When do you plan your meals? ________________________________________________________

What are some favorite, economical meals you eat? ______________________________________

Share your recipes.

A Time to Share “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”

Divide up by twos and discuss some things you would like to change about your

home. Make a list to share with the group, and as a group discuss ways to help

bring those changes about.

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fats,

Sweets

Dairy

& Meats

Fruits

& Vegetables

Page 11: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

S leep Habits Regular bed-times and wake-up times are important for everyone. Set a

healthy bedtime for the family by ages. Start getting the kids and yourself

ready for bed at least an hour early to allow time for baths and devotions.

Stick to the time you set, and remember who is boss! Encourage

devotion times for your children (even if it means you reading to

them at meal-times). Try to keep bedtimes peaceful so that

everyone can get a beneficial good night’s sleep. Don’t let the

sun go down on your wrath. Do you have a child that can’t get to

sleep? Try a cassette or CD of Christian stories or music. When it’s over,

sleeptime!

Disagreements A home is a place for confrontation at times. Speak the truth in love, and always seek to work

through the problem for a common solution. Try to avoid the use of “you”, which can make the

other party feel attacked and defensive. Instead use, “this makes me feel”. Get to the heart of the

problem, not just the symptoms. Pray for God to help bring mutual understanding and a resolution,

be willing to allow Him to change you, not just the other person. Give time for feelings to cool off,

then make peace.

Jesus is Lord and head of our homes.

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Recipe: Easy Good Chicken

Line chicken breasts in a dish; mix salsa and cool whip

and pour over chicken. Bake covered at 350° for 30

minutes. Or microwave in covered dish for 20

minutes. Serve with rice. Oo-la-la!

Page 12: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

He knows our imperfections and will make-up the difference in our homes as we focus on Him. He is the

unseen guest at every meal and in every room. He brings love and correction and peace. “Lord, make my

home what you want it to be . . .”

Value Systems Everyone has a value system. How we spend our money, whether done intentionally or not, reveals

our value system. What is yours? Make sure that your spending habits are in line with your values. Mine Yours

1. Tithing/Offering 1. _____________________________

2. Bills 2. _____________________________

3. Food – Groceries & Eating-out 3. _____________________________

4. Home 4. _____________________________

5. Clothes 5. _____________________________

6. Entertainment 6. _____________________________

7. Savings 7. _____________________________

Finances come and go. Everyone has lean years and fat years, depending on your expenses and

income. The Constant: God. He is your source. He is Jehovah Jireh – our provider.

Budget Budgeting, planning your spending, is important. The

income must equal the “outgo”. Tithing maximizes that.

It is important to make sound financial decisions. If you

are unsure how, seek advice from someone who is qualified.

If you are married, who is the better financier? Different seasons

of life may require you to each take responsibility at different times.

Remember, it is not “yours” and “mine”, but “OUR” money.

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 13: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

Avoid selfishness.

Every budget should include savings and retirement. Put money into savings

on a regular basis. Simple savings: $20 weekly = $1000 in a year plus interest!

Have integrity in your finances:

Pay your bills

Balance your checkbook

Only use credit for large, important purchases

Use bank cards that take money directly from your account over credit cards

Learn to say “no” to impulse buying (if you still want it, you can always come back later).

God’s Provis ion – Sowing and Reaping Matthew 6:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness;

and all these things shall be added unto you.” I was moving into a

new home and needed a living room couch. I saw just the one I

wanted for $800! Faith welled up in my heart that God would

provide that couch for me. A few weeks later my husband saw this

couch in a man’s front yard for $75! Praise the Lord. He IS able to

provide in miraculous ways.

Accountability Corner - Your Finances Rate your finances. What letter best represents your current financial situation? _________

a. in need of help

b. in the state of emergency

c. in good shape

d. need to work on one area

e. best ever Pick a partner from the group and name one goal to reach in your finances. Hold each other accountable

for the month for improvement. Allow the mentor to keep records for the group.

A Time to Share

Share ways that God has provided for you.

Once everyone has had the chance to share, pray as a group to thank God for His

provision, then break into two’s and pray for each others’ needs.

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 14: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

A good marriage is built on years of giving, receiving, loving, and sharing.

My Foundat ions for a Great Marr iage

1. Communication is everything!

a. Listening is as important as talking.

b. Deal with the real issues of the heart. No mind-reading.

c. Allow the Holy Spirit to give you discernment.

2. Commitment to God and to each other.

a. My fulfillment comes first from the Lord, and then from my husband.

b. As we draw close to God, we draw closer to each other.

c. It is very important to regularly pray together. Overcome the shyness of spiritual

intimacy.

3. Concern for each other’s needs

a. A woman’s basic needs are love, companionship, and security.

b. A man’s basic needs are respect, honor, and intimacy.

c. Are we meeting each other’s needs?

4. Challenge each other to build a fruitful life.

a. You are each other’s greatest fan and greatest critic.

b. Believe in each other, and everyone else will too.

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Page 15: Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor · 2011-07-23 · Let Me Introduce You to Myself, Your Mentor My past – My present – My Future – Why I’m doing this, and what I

What are some of the strengths of your marriage? _______________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Chal lenges in Marriage Facing crisis together is so important. Don’t let the crisis divide you.

Being aware of what can create a crisis can help you deal with it better

when it comes, or even avoid a crisis all together. Here are a few areas:

Early marriage – putting two lives together . . . becoming one

Children – unified as parents

Unequally yoked (believer to unbeliever) – “One believing mate sanctifies the household.”

Sickness in the family

Outside forces – job, other relationships, the past

Dealing with each others’ weaknesses

What has been the greatest challenge in your marriage? ___________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

How are you overcoming it? ____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Ways to Strengthen a Marriage

A weekly date is important, even if taken at home after the kids’ bedtime. It is critical that you and

your spouse spend time sharing with, and investing in one another. You may have to push for it at

times, but the outcome will be worth the effort. Spouses are not mind-readers. Marriage retreats,

cards that express your feelings, and planned romantic moments all help to make a marriage

satisfying. Sow into your marriage and you will reap everlasting benefits.

Isador Strauss, founder of Macy’s Department Store, and his wife, Ida, were about

to leave the sinking Titanic. Isador stepped back, as other men did. His wife then

. . . and two

shall become

one . . .

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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left the lifeboat to stay on ship with her husband. Survivors said they last saw the couple embracing as

the ship sank. The epitaph on their memorial marker says, “Many waters cannot quench love.”

“All thy children shall be taught of the Lord;

and great shall be the peace of thy children.”

-Isaiah 54

The young years are the most important times for a mother. You are your child’s most powerful

teacher, you are the model!

The Great Debate – Bearing Ch ildren versus Barrenness Children of all ages need mothering. But to many women, having children is a great gift. Isaiah 54

talks about barrenness – a great sorrow to many women. Lift-up the names of women in your

group who have not been able to bear children, and believe for a miracle.

Mother of In fan ts This stage requires 24-hour-a-day care. Enlist occasional help from grandma, other young

mothers, and Dad. The five basic needs of infants are:

Diaper change

Hunger

Sleep

In need of relief from discomfort or

pain

In need of loving attention/play

F Filling a child’s love cup is easiest at this

stage, and very predictable. Use eye

contact, talking, singing, holding, prayer,

reading, and moments of quiet reflection in

the crib and baby swing. Raising children gives

you the greatest picture of your loving, patient Heavenly Father. During these early months I felt

the closest communion with God. During the early morning hours He met with me and loved me

with His presence.

A Testimony from the Author

Kim, a friend of mine, was barren for 18 years of marriage. During that time

she was prayed for and was given assurances she would have a child. She

even dreamed she had a daughter and named her ‘Shekinah’.

Kim continued to believe the promise of God. Today, Kim is the proud

mother of a beautiful baby girl, Shekinah, 9 months old.

God does answer prayer!

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________

The greatest

joy brings the

greatest

sacrifice.

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Mother of P reschoolers This is the patience stage, when your child’s will begins to exert itself.

Remember: YOU ARE THE PARENT, you MUST win! Lots of running,

picking-up, training, and laundry occur at this stage. Here are a few “helps”:

Keep a basic routine set around your child’s

schedule

Set limits on other activities

Prepare ahead for appointments

and excursions

If clutter bothers you, only allow

certain toys at certain times

Teach neatness at this stage

Don’t forget to have fun and build their imaginations Spiritual training is important at this age. It’s time to start devotions, even though they will be brief.

Emphasize church attendance. Take your turn in the nursery. Children are tender to spiritual truth

at this age; it is a great time to lead them to salvation. Also, it will be important to discern

between deliberate disobedience and just a lack of understanding. To help yourself not feel

overwhelmed, find a “Mother’s Day Out” program at a nearby church; they are lifesavers.

Prayer

Pray for your children!

God will hear and draw them to Himself!

List your children’s names and prayer needs.

Call them out in prayer. _______________________________________________________________________________

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Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

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Character Trait s t o Develop in Every Ch ild:

1. Worship - the reason we are created

Our spiritual life is to be integrated into all aspects of our relationships and

tasks. Help your child see the eternal in everyday life. See God as the

source of all good things. Disciple them in prayer, Bible study, and

fellowship with other Christians. Children form an image of God from their

parents, but that image can change and grow. Lead them to God.

2. Relationships – life equals relationships

Find relational solutions to relational needs. We need others in

order to receive resources necessary to life. Relationships build:

stability, basic trust and need, communication, internalized love,

and a capacity for loss. Through relationships children will develop

gender roles, giving and taking, and a realistic view of the world.

3. Competence – giving back to the world

Each person has gifts to give back to the world. Work is central to our

natural existence. Children learn competence through life skills, school,

sports, and church activities. Help them develop a pro-work attitude; work

is

a normal part of life. Model effective work habits: on-time, consistent,

thorough, responsible, and having a good attitude. Don’t use missing

church plans as punishment. Delegate housework. Make chores age appropriate, and distribute them

fairly among your children. One easy way to accomplish this with doing dishes and everyday

chores- Use the “odd & even days” method: on odd days of the month, one child (or two)

does the chores, on even the other child (or two). Switch odd and even occasionally to keep

it fairly equal.

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Teach how to handle money. Allowance is a good way to begin handling money. One rule of thumb:

give a child 50¢ or a dollar for every year of his age (i.e. age 5 = $5) and give half back to Mom for

savings. At the end of the month, have a ten dollar week for something special, taken from the

money Mom saved. The Dollar Store is a great place to shop. Open a savings account with the rest

of the saved money for your child and watch it grow. They do grow up and go to college!!

4. Conscience - learning right from wrong

Conscience is understanding right and wrong. It is the internal ability to weigh

moral decisions and self-correct, it is an internal proper response to violating a

standard and a desire to do right. Good values include: love, honor, pursuit of

God, compassion, forgiveness, mercy, grace, kindness, truth, honesty,

integrity, respect, humility, faith, loyalty, service, sacrifice, stewardship,

obedience, courage, self-control, discipline, sexual wholeness, fun,

evangelism, developed talents, and work. Give rules focused on love,

corrected by love, built on love.

5. Responsibility - ownership, self-control, freedom

Relationship is the reason for existence; responsibility is the means of bringing about and

protecting relationship. Love and limits go together; set boundaries. Develop the capacity

to own one’s life as one’s own problem. There are four qualities that should be

upheld when teaching responsibility:

Love unconditionally

Relationship & Truth. Rules with relationship give structure.

Rules without relationship lead to rebellion.

Freedom. Give freedom to make choices and experience

the consequences of free choice.

Reality. Allow children to experience painful consequences

for irresponsible choices. Let the reality of a decision

stand. Confront – repent – forgive - reconcile

Add some of your family values and place this on the refrigerator for the family to see:

Notes__________________________________________________________________________________________

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Our Family

Loves and Worships God First

Believes in Jesus Christ as Savior

Keeps its promises

Believes in each other

Takes care of each other

Forgives each other

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Laughter Life is serious enough. Develop a sense of humor. Do you know any jokes? Write some

particularly funny jokes and stories down, and learn them so you can share them with others.

Personal Fun Take time for fun in your life. Think of the many ways you can enjoy yourself:

Outdoors – bicycling, putt-putt, sports, picnics

Indoors – reading, safe chat rooms, a good movie

Weekends – hobbies, gardening, short trips

On the Job – relationships, lighten-up, build a team of friends

Family Fun – holidays, beach trips, museums, the zoo

Entertainment – special exhibits

Rainy Days – crafts, have an indoor picnic

Vacations – make memories together

Name a favorite vacation memory: _____________________________

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How do you make life fun? _________________________________

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God’s Laughter

Joke or story:________________________________________________________________________

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Laughter is

good medicine.

To love and be

loved is the

greatest joy on

earth.

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God laughs at His enemies. We should too. The Mind of Christ – be anxious for nothing! It is a sin

to worry. Worry is a lack of faith, the Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God.

Repent of worry and start believing in faith.

A Cure for Depression A great cure for sadness is to do something for others. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Hospitality is a gift we can give to others. It can be easy to do: make family birthdays a special

treat, clean the house and invite friends over for dessert, invite someone who is alone or away from

family over for a meal. Plan ahead, keep it simple, and enjoy giving yourself away.

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Plan a simple gathering and invite a few friends over.

Date : ________________________________

Time : ________________________________

Lo ca ti on : _______________________________________

Game or acti v i ty : __________________________________

Meth od of Inv i t a ti on : ___________________________________

(Phone call, card, etc.)

Menu : _________________________________________

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Grocery List: (Drinks, cups, ice, dessert, etc.)

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The Great Commission We must make evangelism a part of our lifestyle. Unless our neighbors

believe in Jesus, they will perish. John 3:16 is the Bible in a nutshell. It

is all about loving God and loving people.

How are you a witness for Christ? ________________________________

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______________________________________________________________

In your home – your children are your greatest mission field.

To family and friends – be an example of Jesus Christ.

Neighborhood Evangel ism Start by prayer walking. Allow God to open the door. Look for

opportunities of introduction – at yard sales, when walking,

over kids or pets, when volunteering, etc. Practice

hospitality, have an ice cream social, holiday open house,

Bible study, cookie swap, joint yard sale, or babysitting

coop.

Be there for neighbors in a time of crisis. People are most

open during a time of crisis. It is important to reach out with

food and support at funerals, or when sickness or injuries occur.

“They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

On- the - Job Evangel ism It pays to be discreet in the marketplace. A marker on the desk, a casual comment, and a good

example are great witnessing tools at work. Prayer is a powerful weapon. Eventually people will

seek your witness; invite them to lunch to talk about it. Invite them to church for special

evangelistic events. Offer to pray for their needs, and do it. Sometimes an early Bible study is

possible, or at lunch break.

We have been

given the Great

Commission –

not the Great

Omission!

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In tercessory P rayer Stand in the gap for your friends and family, and watch God work in their lives. Having done all,

said all, and listened; we stand and wait in faith. Speak in faith over those you are waiting to

receive Christ. “Slow to speak, slow to anger, quick to listen . . .” Pray the Word.

Mission Statement

My purpose on earth is to live for Jesus Christ, and persuade,

by my lifestyle and witness, everyone I meet to become a follower of Jesus Christ.

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Prayer

Make a list of neighbors and friends whom you are believing for

their salvation. Agree with a partner and call their names in prayer.

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The single woman can be truly dependant on the Lord.

Isaiah 54 – “The Lord, your Maker, is your husband . . .”

Sing leness Paul spoke of this as the preferred lifestyle. It is complete freedom, and the joy of solitude.

What are some of the joys of being single? _______________________________________________

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What are some of the challenges of being single? _________________________________________

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Sing le Again – the Adjustment Healing and restoration depend on your ability to forgive, and to receive forgiveness.

1. Breaking the reproach. Isaiah 53 – “Break the chains form around your neck, O

daughter of Zion.” Break-off guilt, despair, and humiliation from your past. 2. Healing the wounds and loss. In a way, this is truly “open heart surgery”. Believe the

Lord to heal your heart of painful memories and the regrets.

3. Dealing with loneliness and isolation. Change your perception. “The darkness and light

are both of the same God.” Face your fears, and receive strength to overcome them:

Set new goals for yourself.

Build a network of friends.

Revisit what brought you joy.

Try new things, develop more interests in life.

Be patient, give it time, and wait on the Lord.

Find a good listener

Be careful of distractions.

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Encouragement for the S ing le Woman I am whole.

I am valuable – the apple of God’s eye.

I have purpose.

Understanding for the S ing le Woman Include me in social gatherings. I still need: love, security,

friendship, contentment, and appreciation. I need to be needed,

and to have help in crisis.

Celebrate Solitude! What is your idea of a wonderful evening alone . . . a good book . . . a hot bath to

soak in? _____________________________________________________________________

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Food for Thought

Who are the single people in your life? What are you doing to minister to them? How

have they ministered to you?

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_____________________________________________________________________________________

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Our mentoring sessions are coming to an end.

Please answer these questions to help me better meet your needs.

Once you have filled-out the page, please turn it into the mentor leading the group.

What was your favorite mentoring session?

________________________________________________

Why was it your favorite?

_______________________________________________________________

What 'sticks out in your mind' as a mentoring memory?

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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What are some other topics related to women you would like to discuss?

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Do you have any suggestions to make our sessions more meaningful?

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Are you interested in continuing to be a part of a mentoring group?

___________________________

Are you interested in having a mentoring group of your own?

_________________________________

Thank you for being a part of this mentoring group. Your input and

commitment to the group and to me has made my life richer.

God bless what you have learned here and give you great wisdom in your life

as a woman of God.