Session 3: Breaking the Power of the Past

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Reflection questions for after viewing: The “family” is an emotional system of two to four generations who move through life together in different places at different times. When we are born into families, we inherit their ways of relating, their values, and their ways of living in the world. Your family’s story and your individual story cannot be separated. This means we inherit a certain amount of “emotional baggage” for our journey through life. For some of us this load is minimal; for others, it is a heavy burden to carry. True discipleship, therefore, requires that we unpack this burden and deal with the destructive and sinful patterns of our past in order to live the life of love that God intends. (_Emotionally Healthy Spirituality_, Peter & Geri Scazerro) **Personal Reflection** Journal about the life messages you received from each of your parents or caretakers (e.g. Don’t be weak. Education is everything. You must achieve to be loved. Don’t be sad; things could be worse. Make a lot of money. Don’t trust people, they will hurt you, etc.). - Messages you received about life from your Father - Messages you received about life from your Mother - Messages you received about life from other significant caretakers (grandparents, aunts, uncles) List any “earthquake” events that sent “aftershocks” into your extended family (e.g. abuse, premature or sudden deaths/losses, divorces, shameful secrets revealed, etc.) As you consider the life messages from your family/caretakers and the earthquake events, what are some of the major themes from your past that still affect you today? **Group Discussion** Share with the group the messages you received. How do those messages compare with the messages below that reflect who you are in the family of Jesus? - It is good that you exist - You are loveable - You are good enough - You are a joy - You have nothing left to prove - Your needs are a delight - You are allowed to make mistakes What might be one specific message from your family of origin that God has revealed to you that you want to change today? Based on tonight’s message, how do we begin this process of change?