The Heart of Christianity Sunday School "A Gift To Self" Study Guide for Chapter 2 for Sunday, 28 February 2016 at The First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States for Thursday, 25 February 2016

The Heart of Christianity Sunday School "A Gift To Self" Study Guide for Chapter 2 for Sunday, 28 February 2016 at The First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States for Thursday, 25 February 2016
"A Gift To Self" by William Stephenson, PhD
Study Guide for Chapter Two
Family
1.   Family, p. 71
What kind of family did you grow up in? Where did you learn your parent skills?What is it like to be a parent of an adult?
2.   Resentments, p. 75
We often fail as parents. How do you handle your failure?
Parent/Child
1.   Listening Requires Wanting, p. 73, (story)
How good of a listener are you? With your children?
How do our children know that we are listening vs. hearing?
Did your family ever have a time just to get together and talk?
2.    A Running Father, p. 79
Have you ever felt estranged from any of your children? How did you handle that? 
3.    Who's Invited? p. 82 (story)
Is there ever a time that our children committed an unforgivable act? Have you done something you judged to be unforgivable? How did your children respond? 
4.     Mitigating Circumstances II, p. 92 (story)
Did you have any unfinished business with your mother or father? 
How did your parents show that they loved you?
How do you show it to your children?
5.    When a Parent Does Not Live Up to Our Expectations, p. 113 (story If our parents were able to speak to us, what would they say was their greatest contribution to you? What is your contribution to your child? Do they know that?
6.    One of Those Days, p. 118 (story)
Did you bring your work home with you, physically or emotionally?
What kind of time did you give to family during the work week?
Couples
1.    Jerusalem, p. 84
Why do you think this poem has this title? 
What can couples do to reduce this kind of relationship?
2.    Mitigating Circumstances I, p. 91 (story)
What might be your mitigating circmustances? 
How do we communicate with our spouse?
Forgiveness
1.    From Resentment To Recovery, p. 77 (story)
How do you feel when you have offered forgiveness to someone?
How do you feel when someone has forgiven you?
2.    Diagnosis
What is it that you need to do to take your faith a step further?
Who in your life is waiting for you to take that step?
3.    The Promise of Christmas, p. 121
What promise can you make now that will be realized by Christmas?
Trust
1.    The Consequences of Risk, p. 86
Who, in your life, would feel like it would be a risk to reach out to them with the hope of reconciliation and forgiveness? What is it that keeps you from risking or risk taking?
2.     To Make it Through the Night, p. 102
What kind of person would you want in your boat when times 
were storming? Why would someone ask you to be in their boat?
3.     When Bread is Enough, p. 105 (story)
"He who dies with the most toys, wins!" Is that a phrase that often describes the American Dream?
4.     Grudges, p. 108
Do you keep score? Do you keep a mental ledger of those who have hurt you or betrayed you? How is that going with your soul?
5.     An Unassembled Peace, p. 110
If Jesus were to ask you to change your direction of travel, how would that effect your plans? To change direction, what will you need to equip yourself with?
Values
1.     A Second Look, p. 89
Who in your life could use another chance?
Can you recall when someone gave you another chance? How did you feel?
2.     Limits, p. 94
Do you have a family member that needs to get some help? What does this poem say that you should do?
3.     Burdens, p. 96 (story)
Has anyone you have known ever felt that they were a burden to other people? Have you ever felt this way?
4.     Grow Your Own, p 98 (story)
This powerful story reminds us that we must never give up on others, no matter the circumstances. Is there someone you know that needs to be reminded of this? 
5.     The Pure In Heart, p. 100
Is there someone in your family who needs to know from you that they are still a part of the family. That even when they are struggling with recovery, they are still included. They don't have to be acceptable to be accepted. 
6.     Scarcity to Abundance, p. 102 (story)
How do you determine how much or how many times you forgive or accept someone? 
7.     Will There Be Enough?, p. 106
How do you respond when someone betrays your trust or hurts your relationship? When someone disappoints you, how do you respond?
8.     Evil and Conflict, p. 107
What do you need to change in your life to reduce the conflict in and/or around you? 
9.     Justification, p. 117
What makes you angry? What are you feeling when you are angry?
How do you usually express your anger?
10.   An Advent of Hope, p. 120
Preparing for Christmas means preparing our souls to be receptive to the message God brings to us. What in your own words is that message? 
11.    What a Morning, p. 123
How can you reduce the "distractions" that often keep you from fully embracing the message of Easter in your life. How can you reduce the anxiety in and around you so that Easter is truly a 
sacred day? 
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