Real growth happens in our lives as we embrace the inexhaustibly abundant grace of Jesus and the hard-to-admit truth that we all have destructive sin in our lives. Both truths exist at the same time. Jesus was \u201cfull of grace and truth\u201d: 100% grace, 100% truth. And the best thing for us is to strive \u2013 in the power of the Holy Spirit \u2013 to do the same in our own lives, and in the lives of those in our community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Begin to grasp the importance of \u201chigh-grace\/high-truth\u201d communities and a leader\u2019s role in empowering it to take place. Over the course of this lesson, you will…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.\u201d <\/p>JOHN 1:14 (NIV)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
UNDERSTAND<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Jesus came full of grace and truth (John 1:14-17). In his book, Changes that Heal, Henry Cloud describes the environment most conducive for growth as a community that experiences grace and truth over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Henry Cloud writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGrace is the unmerited favor of God toward His people. Grace is unconditional love and acceptance. Grace is something we have not earned and do not deserve.\u201d <\/em>Grace is about acceptance in a relationship where one person can say to another: \u201cI will accept you! You can be honest with me about your weaknesses and sin, because we are both objects of grace. Righteousness comes from Jesus alone. I have no right to judge you…You are safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cloud also says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTruth is what is real. It describes how things really are.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, truth allows for people who are in community with each other to lovingly engage with another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grace & Truth Community<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a healthy community, phrases like this nurture growth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cI\u2019m observing this specific sinful pattern in you. I\u2019m bringing this up because I love you.\u201d<\/li>
- \u201cThis choice doesn\u2019t make sense in light of who you are as a child of God.\u201d<\/li>
- \u201cGod has made you for more.\u201d<\/li>
- \u201cI know this specific sin pattern feels more like freedom, but freedom in Christ means being set free to live life as God designed it.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How do you feel about these statements?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
People are transformed by the truth\u2014by what is real, combined with grace. Remember the woman caught in adultery? (John 8:2-11) After all was said and done, what did Jesus do? He said, \u201cThen neither do I condemn you.\u201d (grace)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGo now and leave your life of sin.\u201d (truth) The combination of grace and truth allows for people in communities to say to one another: \u201cI am fully for you. Because of that, can I be honest with you about something I am observing about you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a healthy community, you will see this played out by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Conflict not being avoided, but resolved.<\/li>
- Sin not excused or weaponized, but graciously brought to the surface.<\/li>
- Trust, safety, love, compassion. What would a high-grace, high-truth environment look like in your life? Do you think that your primary communities are full of high grace and high truth? Why or why not? Do you think people know how to have grace and truth conversations? Do you think communities among your generation are higher in grace or higher in truth? Why?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
PRACTICE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
All leaders are in a growth process that requires intentionality. In addition, internal barriers inevitably surface in ways that are destructive to others and ourselves; we must address these barriers in order to be effective leaders. The following two assignments will provide opportunities for the experience of high grace and high truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read: The Growth Model (to find this, search \u201cCru Four Developmental Tasks\u201d). In his book, Changes that Heal, Henry Cloud develops four concepts that he refers to as \u201cdevelopmental tasks.\u201d These four tasks are processed, either intentionally or unintentionally, by people in their twenties on the road to healthy adulthood. Attention to these tasks in the context of communities that are high grace and high truth will help young leaders set a trajectory of emotional health and ability to have an impact for the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are several questions listed with each task. They are there, in part, to help you gain a deeper understanding of the implications of development regarding that specific growth area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reflect, journal, and be prepared to share with your process partner answers to at least 3 questions from the category that resonates deeply with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Process with Yourself:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The person we have the most conversations with in a given day is ourselves. We all tend toward grace or truth in how we think of ourselves. Look back to what you learned about yourself in the \u201cYour Design\u201d module. As you think about your personality, your strengths, and how God has made you, have a conversation with yourself that is both full of grace and full of truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Do you tend toward too much truth or too much grace with yourself?<\/li>
- As you think about your personality, strengths, and weaknesses, what is the internal dialogue you have with yourself? How do you feel about yourself?<\/li>
- How might your strengths, when overused, turn into weaknesses?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
PROCESS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Meeting with your process partner this month is a fantastic opportunity to engage in high-grace and high-truth conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First, share what surfaced as a main developmental task at this stage in your life. <\/strong>Share honestly about what is necessary about this area and what keeps you from pursuing growth in it. Invite feedback and receive grace as you discuss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next, discuss who in your community God might be calling you to initiate a high grace\/ high truth conversation with. <\/strong>What may hold you back from initiating with them? How do you think they might respond?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ACT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGrace is the unmerited favor of God toward His people. Grace is unconditional love and acceptance. Grace is something we have not earned<\/p>\n\n\n\n
and do not deserve.\u201d HENRY CLOUD<\/p>\n\n\n\n