Self-Application
Examen
You have studied the terms and concepts, seen them discussed in video, and heard them put into practice through June Hunt’s radio program. Now it is time to begin applying what you have learned into your own life using an Examen. It is important that you work through the material of this workshop in your own life before you begin to minister to others who may need your help.
Work through the prompts below with prayer, reflection, and journaling. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of this time as you begin:
- Slow down physically, emotionally, and spiritually before you begin. Give yourself the time and space necessary to process your behaviors, emotions, and thoughts. Don’t rush this process!
- Be honest with yourself, even if it is difficult. This is a time for the Holy Spirit to work in your life. His purpose is to make you more like Christ, not to condemn you or cause you pain. You can be secure in His intentions for you.
- Revisit these questions a week, two weeks, or even a month after you finish them. The Holy Spirit may have more to reveal to you, or you may identify a new behavior in your life that needs to be worked through. The Examen is most effective when it is done regularly.
- Self-reflection is the work of this workshop! It can be tiring and require a good deal of searching and processing. Feel free to take breaks if you feel emotionally exhausted going through these questions.
- Addiction/Recovery Maroon:
- Thoughts and Emotions Red:
- Attitude and Character Purple:
- Faith and Apologetics Blue:
- Crisis and Trauma Orange:
- Marriage and Family Teal:
- Counseling and Coaching Green:
What is an Examen?
An Examen is an excellent way to pray and think through what you are learning is to look for God’s presence in your life. More than 400 years ago, St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged prayer-filled mindfulness by proposing what has been called the Daily Examen. Examen means to intentionally set aside a time of reflection and prayer to allow the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom and insight by “examining” a particular experience, event, day, etc. It is a technique of prayerful reflection on the events of a given day in order to better discern God’s presence and His direction in our lives.
This is an adapted version of St. Ignatius’ prayer. For your personal edification and spiritual growth, the following template can help you prayerfully think through what God may be speaking to you as it relates to the Lifeline to Hope training session. Here are a few simple guidelines:
- Be still for a few minutes, settle your mind and your spirit in quietness and become aware of the presence of God.
- Review this workshop, your notes, and what you’ve learned with gratitude. Gratitude is the foundation of our relationship with God. It’s a good spiritual discipline to walk through your day in the presence of God and note its joys and delights.
- Pay attention to your emotions. Reflect on the feelings you experienced during the workshop. Ask what God may be trying to say through these feelings.
- Choose one feature of the workshop and pray from it. Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to something during the session that God thinks is particularly important for you. It may be a vivid moment or something that seems insignificant.
- Look toward tomorrow. Ask God to give you light for tomorrow’s challenges.
- St. Ignatius encouraged people to talk to Jesus like a friend. End the Examen with a conversation with Jesus. Ask forgiveness for your sins. Ask for His protection and help. Ask for His wisdom about the questions you have and the issues or problems you may be facing. Do all this in the spirit of gratitude.
“We don’t learn by experience alone, but by reflecting on the experiences we do have.”
– Dr. Mara Crabtree, Regent University
Examen Questions
Follow the steps and process outlined above. When you’re ready, reflect on the questions below and write out your answers.
- In what ways did you discern the Lord’s presence with you during this workshop?
- What are your three primary takeaways from the workshop in terms of knowledge, insights, or principles you learned?
- What interactions or activities were particularly meaningful to you during this workshop? Briefly list and explain.
- What insights, encouragement, or words of personal testimony impacted you during the workshop?
- What weaknesses, shortcomings, blind spots, or needs did the Holy Spirit reveal to you during the workshop?
- What are your praise(s) and thanksgiving(s) for today
- What are the ways in which the Holy Spirit is calling you to be, to do, and to act, so that you may more truly follow Jesus Christ and in the role of a Christian caregiver?
When you have finished your Examen, take a few moments to end your time by speaking conversationally with Jesus. Talk to Him as a friend about your struggles, fears, hopes, and needs. Ask for His protection, insight, and grace as you move into the rest of your day.
When you are ready, click Next Lesson to progress to the Ministry Application lesson, where we will explore how you can help others struggling with _____ .