Together We Thrive Empowerment Groups Series

Introduction

Center for Spiritual Living kicks off our yearly Prosperity  Campaign  with Sunday and Wednesday talks on creating Together We Thrive.  Dozens of people are already exploring this theme in empowerment groups – both in person and online. To expand this growing opportunity even further, we are providing the weekly questions for reflection and homework that the empowerment groups are using for the Together We Thrive series here on the CSL website. We trust this series will help you to discover new possibilities to thrive in 2005. 

Together We Thrive Weekly Questions

The following weekly questions are being used by in-person and online empowerment groups in the Together We Thrive series on abundance and prosperity. They are shared here both as a way for the groups to get an overview of the entire series, and for individuals who may want to contemplate these ideas themselves and to expand their understanding of the Sunday talks, even if they are not participating in a group. Individuals may want to keep a journal to record their responses and related insights.

Week of October 24: Gratitude 

1. On Sunday, Rev. Kathianne talked about gratitude being the first step to a prosperous, thriving life.  Why do you think it should be the first step?  If not gratitude, what is the first step you would take?

2. Rev. Kathianne encouraged congregants to start a gratitude journal to record what we’re grateful for.  Have you begun?  Have you kept one in the past?  Can you see how this would be a powerful tool for transformation?

3. Share a few things you are grateful for now.

Suggested Homework: Begin to create a Mental Equivalent/vision for what thriving would look like for your life.  At the same time, create an affirmative statement for this that you include as part of your daily spiritual practice. Begin to keep a gratitude journal if you have not already started.

Week of October 31: Intentions 

1. On Sunday Rev. Kathianne spoke about intentions. Have you experienced the power of intention-setting in the past?  If you have, share your experience.

2. Based on the ideas presented in the talk, what intentions do you have that would create a life of thriving?

3. What is “thriving” for you?

Suggested Homework: Include these intentions to the vision for your life.  Use all of these to begin to create a collage (in your mind or actually on paper) of your vision for this life of thriving. Continue with your affirmations or make up new ones.

 Week of November 7: Forgiveness 

1. Sunday’s lesson centered on the principle and practice of forgiveness.  Why is forgiveness a prosperity principle?

2. Tell the group about a past experience of forgiveness.  How did coming to a place of forgiveness make you feel?

3. Without naming names, do you have people in your life you need to forgive?  Tell the group when you are willing to start the process of forgiving them.

4. What do you need to forgive about yourself?  When will you begin?

Suggested Homework: allow yourself to continue to ponder the issue of forgiveness over the week, as well as (if you are ready), moving into forgiveness for the folks you have mentioned (including yourself). 

Special Invitation: November 17^th’s Wednesday night service will be a special Blessing service to recognize and honor the expanded life you are opening to create for yourself as a result of this series.  Proceeded by a meditation at 6:30, the service begins at 7:00, and will include the opportunity to receive a personal blessing from one of our ministers or practitioners for your prosperity or any other Good you desire.  Please join us!

 Week of November 14: Tithing 

1. This past Sunday, Rev. Kathianne spoke about tithing.  Why do you need to “give” in order to thrive or prosper? 

2. What fears do you have about tithing?  Are they spiritually valid? 

3. Would you be willing to try tithing for a week? Month?  Year?  Are you ready to live as a tither?  Does this seem like thriving?

Suggested homework: Continue with your collage and your journal(s). 

Remember the “Blessing Our Good” service is this Wednesday at 7:00 pm, with meditation at 6:30.  Come receive blessing to continue to expand your prosperity!

 Week of November 21: Surrender 

1. Sunday’s lesson was on “Surrender”.  What do you need to surrender to have a greater degree of prosperity?

2. Rev. Kathianne also spoke about giving praise to God or Spirit.  What could you praise God for tonight?

3. What are you willing to “give over” to God so that you can thrive?

Suggested homework: Finish your collage

 Week of November 28: Celebrate Your Thriving Life!  Celebrate You! 

1. The last week of the Together We Thrive series, Rev, Kathianne asked congregants to make a commitment to the financial well-being of Center for Spiritual Living.  What are your views on commitment?  It is easy?  Hard?  Can you see commitment as a spiritual practice.
2. Celebrate (and share about) how you have expanded over this series.

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If you have questions or would like more information, contact the Empowerment Group Coordinator at the church office, 206-527-8801 ext. 215 or email Rev. Liz at lizm@cslseattle.org . Questions about online Empowerment Groups can be sent to Shelley Arenas at mindfulparent@aol.com .

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