1.1 Discussion: Listen, for Heaven’s Sake
Getting Started
In this workshop and course, you will continue to learn about listening and its importance in your work as a life coach, especially as you conduct coaching sessions.
The Bible has a lot to say about listening and hearing. Here are a couple of my favorites as they relate to interacting with and helping others:
· “Let people finish speaking before you try to answer them. That way you will not embarrass yourself and look foolish” (
Easy-to-Read Version, 2006, Proverbs 18:13).
· “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (
New International Version, 1978/2011, James 1:19).
What are key lessons from these verses and other biblical references that can guide your work as life coaches?
Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:
· Share your thoughts on biblical principles related to listening.
· Identify ways in which practicing biblical listening can serve others in your role as a life coach.
Background Information
Listening is an essential ingredient to life, leadership, and relationships. Positive psychology and popular leadership principles reinforce this truth. Stephen Covey, author, business leader, and executive coach, reviewed leadership research from the past several decades before he concluded in his book
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People that one of those habits is listening, or as he stated it: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
But as we noted in the Introduction, Scripture communicated this truth in the Old and New Testaments thousands of years before Covey ever wrote about it.
As we move through this course, we will review and practice the effective listening techniques of life coaches. But remember, these practices are not only proven by research and contribute to healthy and helpful relationships, they are also biblical admonishments that may even facilitate spiritual growth, patience, and wisdom, both in you as the life coach and in your clients.
Instructions
1. discussion topic and respond to the following prompts:
a. Comment on the verses in the Getting Started section, Proverbs 18:13 and James 1:19, and how listening contributes to growing patience in us and how it might help us become wise.
b. Share an example either of when listening helped you deepen a relationship or of a missed opportunity when you failed to listen and how it impacted your relationship.
2. Your postings should also:
a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.
b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.
