David Powlison Eight Questions
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Question #1: What is happening to you that brings pressure, temptation, beguilement, etc? (This is all situational. Nothing here predicts your response.)
- the heat
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Question #2: How are you reacting?
- think vertical and horizontal
- and why?
- anger, fear of ****, escapism, avoidance
- Question #3: What rules you and hijacks your heart?
- what prevents you from seeing the truth of God’s kingdom?
- Question #4: What are the consequences and ripple effects?
- How do your reactions affect relationships, work life, mood, finances, situation, health, etc.?
- fundamental chaos, how you have mishandled the situation, what happens because of what you did.
- q1-4 can describe a vicious cycle, where people get stuck. this is what necessitates biblical counseling and help!
- Question #5: Who is God, relevant to this struggle?
- God is He who says and does. His Word and His acts
- What does He promise? What does He do? His person, words, and actions intend to enter, address, and change how you see your situation, how you react, and the reasons for your reactions.
- it is always true that God’s law is the priority. God’s law is a mirror that reveals our answers to q1-3
- I need grace. the gospel, the entirety of the good news, is always at the center of this
- God’s immanent sovereignty over this situation.
- Question #6: Respond to God from the heart. How will you have a candid, intelligent, pointed conversation with God? Stop, listen, ponder, turn, trust, come, see, ask, talk, converse with him.
- vertical.
- Question #7: Respond constructively into your situation. How will you show intelligent love for others? Speak, act, do, don’t do, choose.
- horizontal
- Question 5), faith (7) create ripple effects in relationships, work life, mood, finances, situation, health, etc.?