1. + Living the Joyful Life The Rector’s Forum

2. + We were made to live in joy! We were made to live in alternating rhythms of joy and shalom.

3. + Scripture is full of joy! The joy of the Lord is our strength. Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah 8:10 I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy. John 15:11 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

4. + JOY Is relational and contagious Starts with a smile Helps brains grow Reduces stress Improves immunity Has more social impact than looking sexy Raises brighter, more resilient children Transforms lives!

5. + Where does Joy come from? We experience joy when someone is glad to be with us. Signal goes back and forth six times a second. Both brains release dopamine. Builds a stronger brain for both. It is so important to see children as a blessing to receive them with joy!

6. + Appreciation Exercise but first some guidelines  We want to create a safe culture of sharing who we really are without overwhelming each other.  Respect the confidentiality of what is shared; do not repeat it to others.  Tenderly protect each other’s flaws.

7. + Group Guidelines Supportive listening is always appropriate. Advice/criticism/comments are not. Sharing is strongly encouraged, but not required. “Pass” is always an option. Stay on topic, respect time limits, and make sure everyone gets a turn.

8. + Now to our Appreciation Exercise Appreciation exercises 2A and 2B taken from Forming: Change by Grace, © 2011 by David Takle, a Life Model class workbook, pages 27 and 31.

9. + What is the Life Model, and where did it come from? The Life Model is an idealized model for all of life. Came from Shepherd’s House Ministry to street kids Morphed into a counseling center Began to specialize in failed leaders Undertook a comprehensive study of failed leaders, asking what went wrong. Resulted in an idealized model. What would life have been like if all your needs were met appropriately and you learn to do every task at the right age?

10. + Life is divided into five stages Infant (age 0-4) Child (age 4-12) Adult (age 13-birth of first child) Parent (birth of first child until that child leaves home) Elder (after children are grown and gone)

11. + Primary Task for each stage Infant:Learns to receive Child:Learns to take care of his/herself Adult:Can satisfy two (his/herself and one other) Parent:Can take care of his/herself and their family Elder:Cares for self and community

12. + What we need to thrive Multigenerational Community Immanuel Lifestyle Tenderness towards weakness

13. + One in three people in world claims to be Christian! What if all of them lived in joy?