_|_
                                      |
                                C O P | N E T
                                      
                                      
                                      
                           Growth and Development
                                      
                           A Sunday School Lesson
                                  (outline)
                                      
                                College Level
                                      



Introduction

- this is more like a summary of a long list of topics that you can consider 
  for talks.
- your input as more important than what I am going to say.

Points

- Why is it important to know about that
     * it is a change that occurs slowly but surely
     * it is a critical issue that is worth your attention
     * this is your own signature in the world
- Aspects of Development
     * academic
     * social
     * professional
     * spiritual
     * personal
- Areas of Development
     * (good) habits
     * skills
          . God's gifts in you
               # the parable of the ten minas (Luke 19:11-27)
               # "Let your light so shine before men, that hey may
               see your good deeds and praise your Father in
               heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
     * character (personality)
          . toughness
               # with yourself (as opposed to towards others)
               # coping with harsh situations
               # you never know what is the future made of
          . patience
          . silence
               # silence is the essence of wisdom
     * relationships
          . with God
               # talk to God
               # ask God
               "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you
               will find; knock and it will be opened to
               you." (Matthew 7:7)
                    + if don't know how, try simple issues
                    + use the power of the Cross: everyday and in
                    everything
               # dare to argue with God
          . with friends
               # selection
               # change
               # quality of time spent with them
     * memory
     * knowledge
          . learn about our Church
          . learn about the saints
     * understanding
          . two-dimensional creatures
          . give thanks to God
               # all the time
               # for everything
               "Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord
               has not decreed it?" (Lamentations 3:37)
          . save your energy and effort to what deserves it
          ".. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.
          What does man gain from all his labor at which he
          toils under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3)
          . You do not know when
          "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on
          what day your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:42)
- Factors (Priorities and goals)
     * time
     * effort
     * preoccupation (concentrated interest)
          . worry
          "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to
          his life? Since you cannot do this very little
          thing, why do you worry about the rest?" (Luke
          12:25-26)
     * future versus present
          . the future shapes the present and not vice versa
          . goal
          "But seek his kingdom, and all these things will be
          given to you as well" (Luke 12:31)
- Results (and rewards)
     * better decision making
          . no confusion (about controversial issues)
          . everything makes sense
          . inner peace
          . goal-oriented coherent behavior
     * success
          . a necessity
          . but even more, it comes naturally
          "The LORD was with Josef; and he was a successful
          man." (Genesis 39:2)
- Two Interesting Thoughts
     * a dilemma: A christian is...
     "Absolutely fearless, always in trouble, and immensely
     happy."
                              Carl Friedrich von WEIZSACKER
     * Ghandi
     "Christianity is the best religion. I would have become a
     christian myself but I have not found one true christian."