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An Action Principle That Keeps You Progressing on Your Journey

As you Live Intentionally by being proactive, and by busting barriers and setting boundaries, you will make progress on your journey.

Ideas from Facilitators

Participant Book pages 109-117

Nicki Osbaldiston from New Zealand developed the following way to help women integrate the Life-Coaching Tools for being proactive (page 110), busting barriers (page 113), and setting boundaries (page 117.) She uses the Bible story of Esther to help her groups determine how the choices Esther made in her life circumstances can apply to their own present-day, real-life situations. Below are her guidelines and the questions she asks. The dialog includes the answers from one of her groups.

If the group is familiar with the story of Esther, have them relate the parts of the story they remember. If the group would benefit by a full review, have various members read portions of the actual story from the Book of Esther.

Once the women have the story in mind, walk them through each element of the following Life-Coaching Tools. Let them determine the answers.

 

CHOOSE TO BE PROACTIVE (page 110)

Briefly explain the proactive/reactive diagram on page 109. Then ask, “How was Esther proactive?” Have them talk about the steps she took based on the proactive column of the diagram.

 

PROACTIVE:

Agree: Accepted the challenge from Mordecai
Creative option: Planned a dinner
Accept consequence: Willing to face possible death
Take responsibility: Prayed and fasted
Discover freedom: Gave up her right to live
Discover self: Realized she was chosen for such a time as this

What would her thought process have been if she had chosen to be reactive?

 

REACTIVE:

Resign: It will be a big deal; it will cost me a lot
Frustrated: Mordecai presented the dilemma to me; now it has become my problem
Resentment: I resent Mordecai and the King for putting me in this position
Guilt: If I don’t take action, my people will die and it will be all my fault
Take revenge: I’ll just mope and maybe the King will notice
Victim: It’s not fair; why am I in this situation?

 

QUESTION TO THE GROUP:

Think of a situation where you have reacted. (Let them discuss this with their Peer Coach.)

 

BUST YOUR BARRIERS (page 113)

Using the diagram in this Life-Coaching Tool, have the group trace what steps Esther took.

She identified a real barrier: she had not been summoned to go to the King, and if she went she could be put to death.
She was authentic with God.
She prayed and fasted.
She searched the scriptures.

 

QUESTION TO THE GROUP:

What verses would have helped Esther in her situation?

Philippians 2:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengths me.”

Joshua 1:6 – “Be strong and courageous…”

Matthew 19:26 – “…with God all things are possible.”

I John 4:18 – “…Perfect love casts out fear.”

Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

II Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given you a spirit of timidity…”

She acknowledged that only God could save her from the penalty of death.
She took action. She went to the King; he recognized her and called her forward.

This discussion will show the women how God provided plenty of encouragement for Esther just as He promises to give to us.

 

SET YOUR BOUNDARIES (page 117)

Again, use the story of Esther to show how the women can set God-given boundaries.

 

QUESTION TO THE GROUP:

How did Esther set a boundary for herself?

She didn’t rush to place her petition before the King.

She first organized two banquets before revealing Haman’s plan to the King.

With God’s guidance, she decided the best time to take each step of action.

 

CONCLUDING QUESTION TO THE GROUP:

Which of these three Life-Coaching Tools would be most effective and helpful to you in your current situation?

Give them time to talk together about this with their peer coach and then work on the tool they selected.