Saturday, August 23, 2008

60-60 Experiment

Starting the 60-60 Experiment:

For the next 60 days, try to stay in a continuous, honest conversation with God, willing to do his will moment by moment.

Set a watch or alarm to beep every 60 minutes, and put up sticky notes & reminders around you home, car & office, as a reminder to stay connected.

Try to turn your thoughts back to God all throughout the day, as often as you can. This simple conscious contact with God isn't easy, but it's all you have to do - everything else will begin to fall into place over time. Even if you're not yet convinced this is true, try it. Every 60 minutes, stop and recall "God is with me right now..." and let that propel you to ask God "Show me your will this next moment. I want to be willing to do your will as an act of love toward you."

Begin the experiment and see if this isn't the path to a far more satisfying life.



Get a Spiritual Running Partner?

Just like athletes who train to reach physical goals, we need spiritual training partners to provide encouragement, pacing, and motivation for our spiritual goals. A running partner is another person who I can trust with my struggles and concerns, as well as my dreams and goals. We encourage each other to become all God intends us to be.

A running partner is another person (or couple of people) who I am willing to learn to entrust with my deepest concerns, spiritual struggles, and sins, as well as dreams, successes, and plans to grow.

Together, we'll agree to walk together for a season in complete honesty to help each other grow spiritually to be more like Christ. Like exercise partners, we are running with each other along a spiritual path. The purpose of running together is to provide the encouragement, pacing, and motivation we all need to keep running toward wholeness.

We are agreeing to listen, to care, to pray for one another, to point out patterns we see, and to urge each other to keep moving forward in growth to become all God intended us to be.

The goal is to think, live, and act more and more like Jesus would if he were living my life, working at my job, and in my relationships.


Who Should I Look For?

A person you already trust who is part of your church (best for the long-term) or from outside your church.
Husbands and wives can be partners, but often it is difficult to get detached feedback because of proximity and affect on each other.
You can have more than one running partner, but be careful not to spread yourself too thin.

How Does it Work?

Agree to “run together” for a defined period of time. (take it in short bursts so nobody feels stuck)
Set a time and place to meet or have a phone appointment weekly, and agree to meet face-to-face at least monthly.
Take turns asking each other the “How Are You Running” questions. Let the conversation go where the Holy Spirit leads. Pay attention to upholding the “Rules of Running.” We suggest you re-read the rules before each meeting as a reminder.

Rules of Running

Accept and encourage as often as possible.
Ask questions often; give advice once with permission.
Give reproof or correction only when absolutely necessary.
Never give judgment.
Always protect confidentiality.

“How Are You Running” Questions

What do you think God is trying to do in your life right now?
How have you experienced the fruits of the Spirit lately (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)?
How have you treated those you do life with?
What sin have you been conscious of this week?
If there’s one area you need to focus on to better love God, love people, build character, or be the body (Christ’s Church), what would it be?
What’s one thing you will intentionally do to take steps of growth in this area?
Have you said the “last 10%” or have you held back today?

"60-60 Experiment" from the book Soul Revolution