The Truck Won't Run
Nugget of Wisdom
You can pour water on a duck’s back, you’ll get the duck wet. Pour the same amount of water on a sponge, and it will absorb. How do you want to listen?
First General Order
Before beginning, come together as a group to briefly discuss, never discuss prayer needs, and pray for God's guidance, wisdom, and protection over this time.
Mission
As you begin to think back in your childhood, typically between the ages of 10 to 12, tell a story about a time when you shifted the focus from yourself to another event. Was there ever a moment in your life where you did something to redirect attention away from yourself?
Mission Execution
Sit face to face with no distractions, hold hands, and maintain eye contact. As one speaks, the other listens fully without interruption, without correcting, and without trying to fix anything. As the receiver, your role is not to judge, but to understand the emotion behind what is being said. If you feel comfortable, close your eyes at times to help you focus, listen deeply, and feel what your partner is feeling. Learn to recognize their emotions, how they process, and how they experience the moment. Take a few minutes each and do not rush the process. Be fully present with each other. This is not about being right, it is about being known, understood, and becoming one with each other.
Questions
What did you learn about yourself as you told that story? Do you still find yourself using that same approach today when you feel pressure, fear, or discomfort? How has that behavior helped you in your life, and where might it be hurting your relationships today?
When you shifted the focus away from yourself in that moment, what were you really trying to protect—yourself, someone else, or the situation? Do you still carry that same instinct into your current relationships?
As you listened to your partner’s story, what emotions did you hear beneath their words? What did you feel as they were speaking? Were you able to stay present without judging or trying to fix anything?
Where in your relationship today do you see moments where one or both of you shift focus instead of addressing something directly? What would it look like to stay present instead of redirecting?
This Week’s Mission
This week, each of you find something small you can disable for the other person. Keep it lighthearted and do not let it turn into anger. The goal is not to frustrate, but to create a moment where the other person needs help. It could be something simple, like hiding the TV remote or turning off a circuit breaker that controls something minor. You can come up with your own idea. Cause no harm.
At some point, step in and fix the problem for them. As the recipient, once you realize what has taken place, rule out the frustration of knowing they caused it. Set that aside. Pretend you are not aware of that part. What do you emotionally feel toward the person who rescued you?
Nuggets of Wisdom
- You can pour water on a duck’s back, you’ll get the duck wet. Pour the same amount of water on a sponge, and it will absorb. How do you want to listen?
There is a companion workbook for this story. Open the workbook (PDF).