Wisdom Seekers

Wisdom Seekers’  Group Covenant

 

Wisdom Seekers is a small group focusing on accountability,

 discipleship & growing in Christ likeness; Our goals are to provide an environment which challenges each other in life decisions, seeking wisdom from God & to have a more personal & intimate relationship with Jesus Christ as well as intimate fellowship in a community of believers.

1) ATTENDANCE is extremely important. I agree to ATTEND REGULARLY.  If I must be

     absent, I will notify the facilitator or another group member.  After three consecutive

     Absences I will reapply for admission of the group via text, email or written request.

 

        Note: If a ‘Leave of Absence’ is needed for an extended amount of time, speak to the

          group facilitator. Continued participation in the email Distribution will be discussed on

          a case by case basis.

 

Hebrews 10:25 NLT

And let us not neglect our meeting together,

 as some people do, but encourage one another,

especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

 

2)  ELIGIBILITY  Wisdom Seekers is not a substitute for weekly church attendance.  I will

      commit to attend church, be it Saturday, Sunday or Wednesday, to the church of my

      choice.  I will also commit to be actively involved with either counseling, on a waiting list to

      be counseled, in Celebrate Recovery “CR”, another “12 Step” group, or have “Graduated”

      from one of the above mentioned.  

 

3) CONFIDENTIALITY is critical. I will not share information with my spouse, friends,

     family or co-workers. What is said in the group stays in the group.

 

4) I will focus on areas of my own life that need to be pruned or molded by the Holy Spirit.

     I will keep my sharing to MY OWN THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. This means not

     focusing on my spouse’s or family members’ hurts or issues. Focusing on my own issues

     will not only benefit myself but also those close to me. I am not here to ‘fix’ anyone

     outside of this group. In focusing on myself, I will speak in terms of “I or me”

     statements. I will avoid “we, he, she or they”.

 

5) I will remain PRESENT while in group. Out of respect for others, I will refrain from

     speaking to another member of the group while another is sharing.

 

        Note: Other than using the internet or bible APS pertinent to discussion, cell phones are

          to be turned off or on silent. If you are in need to be “on call” please make it known to

          the facilitator and group at opening of the meeting.

 

The courtesy of eye contact with the person who is sharing is important.

 

6) PARTICIPATION is critical -I will be prepared to pray, read aloud, share with the

    group & discuss personal issues. I will LISTEN to each group member with intent to

    understand. I will share my observations what I hear, what I see, what I experience and

    feel. I will respectfully participate in holding other members ACCOUNTABLE in love

    according to the standard set forth in scripture and the model of Jesus Christ.

 

Proverbs 27:17  NLT

As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend.

 

1 Corinthians 12:14-26 NLT

14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.

15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body.  16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,”

 would that make it any less a part of the body?  17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear?

 Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.

19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part!  20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body.  21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.”

The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.  23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe

 with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen,

24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.  25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.   26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad

 

 7) When addressing the group about a person not present in the room, I will speak only

      Constructively, out of concern and to seek wise advice if the issue directly concerns me.

        I agree to not “judge or condemn” others in the group, remembering We ALL have

     sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. Romans 3:23

 

Matthew 18:15-17   The Message

15-17"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you.

If he listens, you've made a friend.  If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again.  If he still won't listen, tell the church.

 If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love.

8) I will SHARE HONESTLY with the group, with no intentional deceit.

 

9) I will be aware of the time I spend sharing & I will attempt to limit my time to 10-15

     minutes. I may be asked to WRAP UP MY THOUGHTS if I am taking too much time

     while sharing. If this happens, I will try NOT TO TAKE OFFENSE as this is an attempt to

     allow everyone an opportunity to give feedback and share.

 

10) It is my desire to be to be held ACCOUNTABLE for my behavior. I will BE OPEN to the

      group’s OBSERVATIONS about my status, and agree to be CHALLENGED according to

      the standard set forth in scripture and the model of Jesus Christ. I am prepared to grow

      & push the boundaries of my walk with Christ.

 

Proverbs 12:1

       Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
       but whoever hates correction is stupid.

 

11) If I am hurt or hurt for another member of the group, I may exercise the “OUCH”

       principle. I agree to allow the facilitator to help me and the group examine the motives

       and search God’s word for truth.  I agree to use God’s Word to challenge (or defend)

       the “ouch” as well as consider the possibility that the “ouch” has touched a nerve due to

       my circumstances or that my life is not aligned with the standard set forth in Scripture &   

       the model of Jesus Christ.  Should an issue be too painful at the moment to process, I may

       state “I am NOT OPEN”.I do agree to be open to process at a later time.

 

 

Proverbs 12:15

 The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice.

 

Proverbs 19:20

 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise

 

 

12) I understand if another is processing trauma or in the middle of crisis, additional time will

        be honored as deemed necessary by the facilitator.

 

13) The same principles apply when addressing the group via email, text or face book.

 

14) Should subsequent “sub groups” form, it is up to those group members to decide if

       sensitive issues discussed within their “sub group” be shared with the “entire” group or

       not; whether face to face or via email, text or face book.

Signed_________________________________________Date_____________________