Week 1 -  Why and How did I get here?

We often wonder how we “arrived” at the present place in our lives. As we ask the questions of why and how did I get here, we must look the years behind us and see where we have come from. Our personal histories have shaped who we are today. During this session we will spend time digging into our pasts so that we can see how that has brought us to this very place in out lives. We look at all aspects of our lives through lenses of faith, family life, gifts, places we’ve lived, and experiences we’ve had.

Examen Structure

 (weekly face-to-face small group time)

• What struck you this week as you reflected on the resources?

• How do the resources relate to your personal journey?

• How did you get to the place where you are at? Are you happy with where you are at?

• What other resources have been helpful for you as you’ve tried to figure out how you arrived to the place you are?

• What’s the most difficult part about being where you are at?

• What are some dreams and hopes you have for the future?

Week 2 - How is God involved in my life journey?

Without looking at God and our life journey, it is pretty hard to identify who we are when we haven’t identified whose we are! We belong to God, not to ourselves. This session is to look hard at how our faith fits hand-in-hand with our identification of who we are. We look at ways and resources of connecting with God in daily life so that we can pay attention to what God is leading us to do! Taking the time to nurture our relationship with God is the key as our life journey unfolds!

Examen Structure

• Have you noticed God on your journey? Where and how?

• What have been the most significant events in your life that have involved God?

• Do you pray? What is your prayer life like?

• Do you take time for solitude and silence in each day?

• How has God been a part of the life decisions you’ve made?

• Who are the people that have shaped who you are and have impacted your faith life?

• What are some signs that God is active and alive in your daily life?

Week 3 -  What am I good at?

This question is also known as, “What am I supposed to do with my life?”

The answer is: Do what you are good at and what you enjoy doing. This session is focused on doing exactly that, helping people to identify what they are good at and to connect them with resources so that they can continue living their gifts and talents out in daily life. This question is looking at who we are and how we fit into the big picture with the gifts and talents that we were blessed with!

Examen Structure

• What are you good at?

• What do others affirm that you are good at?

• If you had a dream job or position, what would it be?

• What kind of a personality to do you have? Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

• Do you work best by yourself or with others?

• Name three gifts you think you have.

• What is your favorite part of the day?

• How do you figure out what you are good at?

• If God told you how God created you, what would God say would be one of the greatest gift you?  What do you think one of the greatest gifts is that God gave to you?

Week 4 - What gives me joy, life, freedom, and energy?

This session focuses specifically on those things in our lives that give us life. This is important as we identify the gifts, talents, and passions that we have. Again, because we have looked back, we are able to look at who we are and where we are going. Identifying the places that give us life allows us to focus on discovering who we are! The examen is a process that helps us to really listen to what’s going on in our daily lives so that we can pay attention to where we can and should spend our energy! 

Examen Structure

• What gives you joy, energy, freedom, and life?

• What are the places in your life where you get “lost” doing what you are doing? (what do you lose time at doing?)

• What have others said along the way for encouragement for you and about you?

• What sucks the life out of you and takes away your joy, energy, freedom and life?

• If you could do anything, regardless of time or money, what would you do?

Week 5 - Where am I going with my life now?

Now that we have looked at where we have come from and where we are with God, we look ahead at where we are going now. After identifying some of our gifts, talents, passions, and life, we are able to see where we are going with a clearer picture. This doesn’t mean that we have “arrived” or understand ourselves completely, but it does mean that we have discovered or rediscovered some of our call in life. It is going forward with resources and tools to connect us to a community of people who will support us and love us as we continue to discover who God is creating us to be!

Examen Structure

• After these weeks of reflection, where are you going with your life?

• How will you make decisions in your life journey after this time?

• How will God help you as you figure out where you are going?

• Who are the people that will support and love you all the way? How will you ask them to do this and get support for years to come?

• Where do you find yourself after these weeks of reflection?

• How will you pay attention to what God is up to in your day to day life from this point on?

• How will you listen on your journey, both to God and others as they support you at decision points in your life?

• Do you have a clearer sense of what you are all about and where you will carry this?