Reflection Guide for CHAPTER 6
NOTE:
When Watchman Nee uses the term “subjective” in this chapter, he is referring to a reliance on one’s own thoughts, emotions, and interpretations rather than seeking objective truth, wisdom, and discernment coming either from delegated authority or from God’s Word. -- EDDIE
The pdf copy of the chapter is attached. As usual, I've marked it up and annotated it for easier reading.
Here are the guides for your reflection. As usual, I look forward to your posted reflections and insights.
- Consider the following situations:
(a) Do you regularly seek counsel and guidance, not necessarily just about Ligaya matters, from your fellow MWG members, PL, Coordinator, or others? Do you purposely seek feedback about your service or your ministry? Why, or why not?
(b) How would you respond to unsolicited feedback? Have your ideas or decisions (not necessarily just about Ligaya matters) ever been challenged by either your fellow MWG member, your Pastoral Leader, or someone in the District Leadership Team or your service ministry? How did you respond?
(c) Have you willingly held yourself accountable to your PL about an area in your life that needs to change? If not, why not?
- What two insights about yourself have you gained from this chapter on Subjectivity that convicts you to become a better disciple/leader? (Refer to your answers to any of the situations above above.)
God bless us all.
Uploaded files:
Quote from Eddie on January 9, 2025, 12:51 amNOTE:
When Watchman Nee uses the term “subjective” in this chapter, he is referring to a reliance on one’s own thoughts, emotions, and interpretations rather than seeking objective truth, wisdom, and discernment coming either from delegated authority or from God’s Word. -- EDDIE
The pdf copy of the chapter is attached. As usual, I've marked it up and annotated it for easier reading.
Here are the guides for your reflection. As usual, I look forward to your posted reflections and insights.
- Consider the following situations:
(a) Do you regularly seek counsel and guidance, not necessarily just about Ligaya matters, from your fellow MWG members, PL, Coordinator, or others? Do you purposely seek feedback about your service or your ministry? Why, or why not?
(b) How would you respond to unsolicited feedback? Have your ideas or decisions (not necessarily just about Ligaya matters) ever been challenged by either your fellow MWG member, your Pastoral Leader, or someone in the District Leadership Team or your service ministry? How did you respond?
(c) Have you willingly held yourself accountable to your PL about an area in your life that needs to change? If not, why not?
- What two insights about yourself have you gained from this chapter on Subjectivity that convicts you to become a better disciple/leader? (Refer to your answers to any of the situations above above.)
God bless us all.
“Chapter 6: Not Subjective” has a message that I’ve been aware of for many years. As someone with strong opinions, it has been brought to my attentions that a lot of the decisions I made in past and the advice I give to people are biased and subjective.
However, it is through my service in Ligaya ng Panginoon and through the guidance of my leaders that I’ve learned to let God lead. From what I know, there is a large effort on my end to course many of my decisions through my Pastoral Leader and MWG. It is part of my usual discernment process to seek counsel among the wise men & women in community so I may be able to make a peaceful decison.
Likewise, I’ve experienced being given unsolicited advice & feedback from my leaders. And though initially, it was hard to hear them, I’ve learned to hear the voice of God through the feedback of my leaders. I currently ask all the time feedback on the words I say and the things I do from my Pastoral Leaders. And I’ve also learned how to be molded by their feedback and corrections.
2. One insight I got from this chapter is to make swift decisions upon hearing God’s directive. I have always had the impression that we take our time in decision making to hear God’s words clearly and to get confirmation from the Lord through the circumstances around us. Now I have to rethink that mindset and convince myself to follow God’s clear words to me upon hearing them as to not subject the directive to our personal desires. I pray for the grace to achieve this.
And another insight I got from this chapter is to check my ego. Though I have been serving for quite some time, I need to allow the Lord to work by letting His Spirit guide me. Sometimes I have to tendency to feel bad when I see my brothers or sisters in Christ make decisions that are not in line with my suggestions. And though my intentions are good, I now know that the Lord has plans for my brethren. And that my ways are not His ways. I am more peaceful now seeing the Lord’s work through the lives of my brothers and sisters whom I serve.
Consider the following situations:
- * Yes I do, in most matters, whether it’s about the family, livelihood, business dealings or relationships. Yes too on seeking feedback. I do so in order for me to know what areas of the service needs improvement. I know that there is always room for improvement and I welcome this from my brothers and sisters.
- * There are times that when my subjectivity comes into play and responding to unsolicited feedback may lead to unnecessary debates or misunderstandings. I still have to learn how not to quickly respond to the feedback so as to avoid these situations. To take a minute or so to fully understand what the brother or sister is saying before responding. In my MWG, I know that my brothers are truly concerned about each other’s situation, I truly appreciate this.
- * I must admit that there are still some areas of my life which I have not held my accountable to my PL. Areas which I think is too personal or maybe embarrassing.
What two insights about yourself have you gained from this chapter on Subjectivity that convicts you to become a better disciple/leader? (Refer to your answers to any of the situations above above.)
- It is better to lead by example & to always be humble. To seek the Lord’s guidance in all circumstances.
- To accept the Lord’s instruction without question, continually trusting in Him.
Do you regularly seek counsel and guidance, not necessarily just about Ligaya
matters, from your fellow MWG members, PL, Coordinator, or others? Do you
purposely seek feedback about your service or your ministry? Why, or why not?
- I was taught in my earlier days in CYA to be open with my AGL At first this was a tough area for me to obey but as I matured in my spiritual life I learned the wisdom behind it. I see God’s hand working on my life in different situations as I open up, share, seek counsel, or just a mere kwentuhan of my highs and lows with my PL/Coordinator or even a brother with whom I can confidently share my life.
How would you respond to unsolicited feedback? Have your ideas or decisions (not
necessarily just about Ligaya matters) ever been challenged by either your fellow
MWG member, your Pastoral Leader, or someone in the District Leadership Team or
your service ministry? How did you respond?
- Before I was not comfortable getting unsolicited feedback or advice coming from anyone, because I knew in myself that I was better than him or I had much experience gained (my ego creeping in already 😞)
We can not deny that we come from different backgrounds and often it came to a point where someone challenges our opinion/suggestion, before my initial reaction is to retaliate immediately and disagree with what he/she says. But now as I grow in my spiritual maturity, I have learned to be objective rather than subjective. And always listen to God’s direction.
Have you willingly held yourself accountable to your PL about an area in your life
that needs to change? If not, why not?
- Yes, I have to. This is to know what guidance, improvement, and change to make in my life for my personal and spiritual growth. And I believe that this is an area to exercise openness.
- What two insights about yourself have you gained from this chapter on Subjectivity that convicts you to become a better disciple/leader? (Refer to your answers to any of the situations above above.)
- Be open to being trained, guided, and mentored by your leaders.
- Always listen and act in God’s direction.
Consider the following situations:
(a) Do you regularly seek counsel and guidance, not necessarily just about Ligaya matters, from your fellow MWG members, PL, Coordinator, or others? Do you purposely seek feedback about your service or your ministry? Why, or why not?
(b) How would you respond to unsolicited feedback? Have your ideas or decisions (not necessarily just about Ligaya matters) ever been challenged by either your fellow MWG member, your Pastoral Leader, or someone in the District Leadership Team or your service ministry? How did you respond?
(c) Have you willingly held yourself accountable to your PL about an area in your life that needs to change? If not, why not?
Just like any Ligaya member, I am exposed to numerous people of different personalities, age groups and family backgrounds. I treat them as God’s extension of wisdom and love. You see, I lost my father at a very young age and community became my father figure. I have learned a lot, both spiritual and practical, from brothers who shared their lives to me especially my Pastoral Leaders and fellow brothers in the Men’s Group. Though I have learned a lot from them, I can say that I do not purposely seek feedback in my service or ministry. Most of the time I am shy to ask for one. Generally, I prefer to give feedback rather than getting one.
To receive an unsolicited feedback is a welcome gesture for me. It shows their concern for me. Most of the time, it is Fe, my spouse, who gives one.
To answer (c), I would say the area of tithing used to be a major concern for me. My PL during that time allowed me to go over my relationship with God, make a choice and be accountable with the decision.
What two insights about yourself have you gained from this chapter on Subjectivity that convicts you to become a better disciple/leader? (Refer to your answers to any of the situations above above.)
Insight #1: Obedience. I must act swiftly according to God’s timing or else His grace will be missed by me or the intended recipient.
Insight #2: Willingness to Learn. Every people around me is a blessing and God’s instrument of love. I should continue to be mindful, listen and be open to them.
He must increase, but I must decrease. – John 3:30
- (a) As a trainer or facilitator, I have always looked forward to evaluation sessions at the end of trainings or conferences. I even enjoy glancing through the actual comments (and get sad when there only grades no explanations for them). Thus seeking feedback is natural for me in the services I have led through leadership meetings or through trusted co leaders. I also seek counsel and guidance for personal matters especially on my career which is also a vocation for me more than a livelihood.
(b) The only instance I remember my ideas being challenged was during the 2022 election discussions in an MWG meeting. It was not easy for me as I have strong convictions in advocating good governance which was not consistent with a candidate an MWG mate is supporting. I had to put myself in the other member’s shoes to understand his reasons for supporting the candidate.
(c) Yes but so far only in the service aspect. I have a tendency of putting the spotlight to myself during service that is why us I ask for guidance, discernment and prayer in purifying my intentions before saying yes. But admittedly, I use this as a reason to say no even if the answer is an obvious yes which is a disservice to the community which can benefit from my talents or resources.
2. If He says “Go”, we should go at once. Instant obedience has never been my “go to attitude” even as a leader right now. The example of the simplicity of faith of Abraham in trusting God has made me realize of how much drama I put in saying Him (and the services brought to me). Malaking bagay ang paglampas sa hamon na ito para mas maging mabuti akong disipulo.
Accepting guidance or counsel from my leaders or peers is not an issue for me. The bigger challenge is the intentional action or attitude of seeking guidance or feedback from people due to my personality of reserve and private. Needless to say, I don’t consider myself as an opinionated person. I normally process an issue in my mind and really think it over before sharing my thoughts. And because of this, I always consider myself wanting to learn more. Listening and processing ideas from others, I welcome them. I learn from them and grow from the experience of others.
If unsolicited feedback is not an issue for me, I also don’t take it against other people if they don’t accept my ideas or opinion. If they disagree to my comment, I consider them as difference from our own past experiences. This is very evident when subject matter is about government and politics. Even in LIGAYA, when certain events or programs are implemented, there will be different opinion, presumably because some brothers are coming from different past experience.
Saying Yes to a service call is the tricky part. I myself will sometimes find reasons to avoid or distance in accepting a service, perhaps because of personal circumstances prevailing at that time. Is this Subjectivity that this topic is referring too? However, when it is clear to me that being called for a service is what God’s want for me, I will open myself for that possibility.