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Nature and Nurture
There is an argument in the field of psychology and science concerning the reason people turn
out the way they do. The question of why a set of identical twins, raised in the same stable
home and in the same manner, given the same chances at life, can end up being two
completely opposite forces. One can become a respected senator and the other a hardened
criminal. Was it genetics? Was it an experience? Was it the people in their lives? There are a
lot of reasons people become who they become. God created humankind with certain
characteristics; every member of the human race carries different combinations of talents,
potentials, and qualities. He also allows certain people and events to influence each person,
both on the negative and positive ends. Who we become, essentially, really is up to us but the
road to becoming may be strewn with several obstacles and victories.
The exercise in this lesson has to do with the people that probably had the most subconscious
influence in you. This exercise can be very intense, and it is understood that some of you may
actually stretch this exercise into several days. For those of you who have had unpleasant or
violent experiences, please understand that the questionnaire is not meant to dredge up your
past or present, it is merely a tool to help you begin to sort through life and begin the healing
process. If you find yourself struggling through the questionnaire, please feel free to contact
us, or talk it through with your accountability partner.
Click here to get to the questionnaire
Journal Time
After you have taken some time to write about the stories of you, take a little time to read
through the following scriptures, taking note of anything that stands out to you:
Genesis 2:7
Psalm 33
Psalm 119:73
Romans 9:20
Colossians 3:12-13
John 15:1-8
Ephesians 2
1. Take a look back at the observations you made about yourself from lesson 2 (all about
you), and your notes from lesson 3 (all about God). As you think about the stories of you and
your family, alongside everything else we’ve been talking about, what are two of your most
surprising discoveries about who you are?
2. Take a minute and think about the three strongest emotions you encountered while you
were remembering the stories you wrote about. What were they? Any ideas on why you felt
those emotions?
3. As you look back at the people and events that have influenced you, and gotten you to
where you are now (regardless of how happy you are with that), what are the hardest obstacles
to becoming who you want to be that you had to overcome?
4. What are the characteristics of the people who you felt most supported you?
5. Personal growth is a huge part of Christ-likeness, take a few moments to look at the
stories you remember. What are some of the moments and people in your life that helped to
push you towards a Christ-like character?
6. Do you have an accountability partner? If so, share your thoughts on these things with
him or her, and spend some time in prayer over what you have discovered. If not, find someone
you are willing to talk to and share your thoughts with him or her.
There is an argument in the field of psychology and science concerning the reason people turn
out the way they do. The question of why a set of identical twins, raised in the same stable
home and in the same manner, given the same chances at life, can end up being two
completely opposite forces. One can become a respected senator and the other a hardened
criminal. Was it genetics? Was it an experience? Was it the people in their lives? There are a
lot of reasons people become who they become. God created humankind with certain
characteristics; every member of the human race carries different combinations of talents,
potentials, and qualities. He also allows certain people and events to influence each person,
both on the negative and positive ends. Who we become, essentially, really is up to us but the
road to becoming may be strewn with several obstacles and victories.
The exercise in this lesson has to do with the people that probably had the most subconscious
influence in you. This exercise can be very intense, and it is understood that some of you may
actually stretch this exercise into several days. For those of you who have had unpleasant or
violent experiences, please understand that the questionnaire is not meant to dredge up your
past or present, it is merely a tool to help you begin to sort through life and begin the healing
process. If you find yourself struggling through the questionnaire, please feel free to contact
us, or talk it through with your accountability partner.
Click here to get to the questionnaire
Journal Time
After you have taken some time to write about the stories of you, take a little time to read
through the following scriptures, taking note of anything that stands out to you:
Genesis 2:7
Psalm 33
Psalm 119:73
Romans 9:20
Colossians 3:12-13
John 15:1-8
Ephesians 2
1. Take a look back at the observations you made about yourself from lesson 2 (all about
you), and your notes from lesson 3 (all about God). As you think about the stories of you and
your family, alongside everything else we’ve been talking about, what are two of your most
surprising discoveries about who you are?
2. Take a minute and think about the three strongest emotions you encountered while you
were remembering the stories you wrote about. What were they? Any ideas on why you felt
those emotions?
3. As you look back at the people and events that have influenced you, and gotten you to
where you are now (regardless of how happy you are with that), what are the hardest obstacles
to becoming who you want to be that you had to overcome?
4. What are the characteristics of the people who you felt most supported you?
5. Personal growth is a huge part of Christ-likeness, take a few moments to look at the
stories you remember. What are some of the moments and people in your life that helped to
push you towards a Christ-like character?
6. Do you have an accountability partner? If so, share your thoughts on these things with
him or her, and spend some time in prayer over what you have discovered. If not, find someone
you are willing to talk to and share your thoughts with him or her.
are our mission
everything you are
You...
and everything you can become
| Having trouble finding things in your concordance? Click here Need some more in-depth Bible help? Click here Want to look up the meaning of words, or find related words? Click here Want an exercise that might help build life goals? Click here Questions, comments, suggestions about this series or others? Click here |