Assignment:
Allender Journal Assignment Instructions:
Overview:
Each of us has a story, a very important and sacred story, in which we and God are always writing. The apostle Paul eloquently stated it this way:
"12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose" (Philippians 2, NIV version).
Additionally, the American Counseling Association (2014) Code of Ethics states that counselors are to, "monitor themselves for signs of impairment from their own physical, mental, or emotional problems and refrain from offering or providing professional services when such impairment is likely to harm a client or others" (Section F.5.b). In other words, "Counselor, know thyself!"
The purpose of this assignment is to give you an opportunity to closely examine how your life has unfolded to this day in time, unveiling the work of God and your role. The premise is that by examining your life you will more clearly know what you bring to the counseling relationship that will both help and hinder your future clients. Additionally, this journaling assignment will become the basis of your sharing in your intensive growth groups.
Instructions:
Each journal entry will consider multiple questions related to the corresponding assigned reading. Your answers should reflect two elements: critical thinking and integration of each chapter and personal application of each chapter content to your life.
The first journal, over the introduction and chapter one of the Allender text, is due BEFORE you arrive at the intensive on Monday morning. The remaining chapters, 2-8, are due during the intensive week according to the "Allender Text Journal Text" table included at the end of the document. In addition to completing your journal in Canvas, you must also bring a copy of each journal entry to class so that you are prepared to share your journals with others in your growth groups each day of the intensive.
Your journal entries should be 1-pages per question (2 pages total per daily entry). References and citations are not needed for this assignment and first-person may be used, but please use general APA formatting including a title page, appropriate font, and double spacing.
Please note that no late journal assignments will be accepted, as these will support the group discussions.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.
Journal Questions:
1. Allender states, "If we're taking a course, we're willing to study books that bore us to pieces, but we won't take time to review our own life, which holds answers about God and ourselves that will thrill us, amaze us and sober us." Journal on one experience in your life that has thrilled you, another experience that has amazed you and one that has sobered you." Need Assignment Help?
2. Allender states that in order to understand our personal stories we must, "consider the various characters - both major and minor- who make an appearance" in our lives. Allender points out that the major characters of parents come with their own stories that are often passed onto children. Consider your own parents and their stories. How did they grow up? What stories of their "past relationships with their parents such as success and shame; power and abuse; love?"