Naming Your Current Position

This month, we will introduce you to a rhythm that helps you embark on the adventure of Grounding in Sonship. Let's begin with some reflection.

We can get a sense of our "current position" on the Path of Sonship or the Imposter Path by looking at our intentionality toward grounding in who God says we are. Our intentionality is the amount of time and attention we give to something. Maybe you've never considered what it means to "ground" yourself in who God says you are, or maybe you already have a rhythm in place to do so! Your "current position" in relation to grounding in Sonship depends greatly on how you intentionally embody it right now.

Below is a simple visual to help you identify or get a sense of your "current position." They are Levels of Intention, ranging from 1 to 5.

Levels of Intention

Take 5-7 minutes to answer the following questions. Write the answers in your journal.

1. When it comes to "Grounding in Sonship," which level do you stay in for the most part?
2. If Level i1, continue on to the next section.
3. If levels i2-i5, what rhythm do you have on a daily or weekly basis to ground yourself in Sonship? How do you think you can grow that rhythm this month?

Our Approach - Reminder

We approach Rhythms of Sonship in a similar manner to how one might approach physical fitness. That may sound strange, but remember, God's return of humanity to its Garden State is a process. Transformation from the Imposter Path to Path of Sonship happens over time. Just like we see incremental change over time as we "work out" in fitness, we see the same thing happen as we "work out" during the process of restoration (Phil. 2:12).

When we introduce you to a rhythm, we will always give you a Destination, a Direction, and an intended Level of Intention.

1. The Destination is the spiritual goal we hope to embody (or discipline) through the rhythm.
2. The Direction lays out "trail markers" that we hope help you see that you are headed in the right direction. These are "objectives" that we want to make sure we're "hitting" as we step into a new rhythm.
3. Finally, the Level of Intention is the amount of time and attention (effort) we recommend you put into it (usually on a scale of 1-5).

"Grounding in Sonship" Rhythm

Our Destination

Over time, we hope to establish a rhythm of meditating on our True Identity as a way to ground our hearts in who God says we are.

Our Direction

The following are trail markers for us, showing us that we are headed in the right direction as we learn to embody this rhythm. They mark the Path of Sonship.

1. Remain in intimacy with your heavenly Dad (close, trusting relationship).

We need to be aware of where we may be moving into passivity or performance. Be intentional about asking "Why" as you step into this. Is it so you can grow in your relationship with your heavenly Dad? Or are you trying to achieve an outcome? The good fruit will grow as we pursue intimacy with our heavenly Dad.

2. Stay in the Zone of Tension (i2-i3 on our Intention Scale).

The more time under tension, the more difficult it will be to step into this rhythm, so choose a "scaling option" that meets you where you are spiritually. Image bearing will happen as you remain in the tension between "What I can do," and "What I can't do, YET."

3. Mercy, grace, and kindness toward yourself as you embody.

Remember, embodying any new rhythm takes time. In life, we learn to crawl first, then walk, and finally run. We don't learn to run as soon as our feet hit the ground. There is a kindness and mercy to this truth. God wants to grow and mature us, but that takes time and intentionality.

The adventure of learning to embody a life of grounding in our heavenly Dad looks different for everyone. That's okay. Give yourself mercy for that. Your "4" on the Levels of Intention may not be the same as my "4." You may be Walking in some areas where I am still Crawling, and I might be Running in some areas that you are Walking. No matter what, if we're hitting our effort level of "4," we're putting in the same amount of effort and work- time and attention.

4. We're Establishing a Rhythm.

As you step into this, our main objective is to establish a rhythm, NOT come out hot and act like we've been doing this for years. Because of this, we're going to focus on "sets" or the amount of times we sit down to ground our hearts in our True Identity, and the quality of those sets (eliminating distraction).

Our Level of Intention

The intended Intention Level for this Rhythm is i2-i3. This means we want you to stay in the low to mild intention as you begin to incorporate this rhythm into your week.

Grounding in Sonship Rhythm

The following is the baseline rhythm we'd like you to do. This is written for someone who has embodied Grounding in Sonship for some time. Someone who has a rhythm like this already established in their daily/weekly walk with God.

1. Choose two Identity Verses and their corresponding Identity Statements from the sheet we gave you. Choose the verses and statements that hold the most meaning to you.
2. Three times a day for 5-6 days a week, go to a quiet place, silence your phone, and read the verses and statements.
3. When one verse sticks out over the other, ask your heavenly Dad, "What do you have for me in this, today?" Make space for his voice. Be present with Him. Let his words sink in and ground your heart.
4. Spend a minute and jot down what you hear. Keep that in front of you as much as you can during the day.
5. Once a week, communicate with community who can be accountability partners and an encouragement to you as you step into this. Maybe they can even do this alongside you.

Scaling Options

As you look at the "Grounding in Sonship" rhythm, ask yourself, "Can I do this as it's written AND stay in the presribed Level of Intention WHILE heading in the Direction outlined?"

If the answer is yes, GREAT you can continue by doing the Running level. If the answer is, NO, that's okay. Let's look at how we can scale to make sure we can do this well.

As you step into this rhythm, focus on "quality sets," or the amount of times you "ground" and the quality (Alone. No distractions.) of time you spend grounding in these verses.

1. Running: 3x a Day for 5-6 days a week // Alone in a quiet place. No phone. // Read the 2 Identity Verses and Statements you chose from the Truth Section. What verse or statement sticks for the day? Stay with it. Ask your heavenly Dad, "What do you have for me in this?" Be present with Him. Let his words sink in and ground your heart. Jot down what you hear.
2. Walking: 2x a Day for 4 days a week // Alone in a quiet place. No phone. // Read the 2 verses you chose from the Truth Section. Spend 2-5 minutes repeating the truths your heart needs from those verses. Be present with who God says you are. Let his words sink in and ground your heart.
3. Crawling: 1x a Day for 3 days a week // Alone in a quiet place. No phone. // Read 2 of the verses you chose from the Truth Section. Spend 2-5 minutes repeating the truths you need from those verses. Be present with who God says you are. Let his words sink in and ground your heart.
4. Want to Scale Higher? Increase time or "sets" with your heavenly Dad. Instead of 3x a day, do 4x a day, etc.

Once you choose the best scaling option, write it down in your journal and continue onto the "Creating a Battle Plan" section in the menu above.

Creating a Battle Plan

Now that we know what rhythm we're stepping into for the next few weeks or so, let's create a Battle Plan to help us step into this well. Write answers to the following questions in your journal to help you step into "Grounding in Sonship" well.

1. What do you need to RELEASE (or work out/detach/deconstruct) as you step into this rhythm? What is in the way of you and this rhythm? (Ex. expectations, fear, scarcity, worry, feeling like you don't have the time, self-deprecation, people who don't care, business, forgetfulness, etc.)
2. What do you need to RECEIVE (or allow God to work in) as you step into this rhythm? What does God have for you as you step into this rhythm? (patience, focus, trust, courage to say no, grace and mercy to fail and forget, a desire to be present, ability to remain still, openness to receiving what God has and not what I want, etc.)
3. What OPPOSITION WITHIN and WITHOUT do you need to be aware of? (Within: young places, false beliefs, and feelings that drive me away from my heavenly Dad. Without: other people's expectations of me, the chaos of work, the never-ending to-do list, those who I care about what they think, etc.)
4. What COMMUNITY can help me step into this well? Father and sons? Other men? My wife? A friend at work? Write down their name and ask them to help you and encourage you as you step into this. Don't have anyone in particular? We'd love to be by your side. Text us!
5. How can the MENTOR (Jesus) and GUIDE (Holy Spirit) help you as you step into this Rhythm?
6. Now that you've named what you are releasing, receiving, the opposition, and your community, write down the first three to five steps you plan on taking to accept this call to adventure: Example 1: I'm going to text my friend for accountability and encouragement. Example 2: I'm going to set alarms on my phone for when I plan to do this. Example 3: I'm going to let people know that when I'm doing this, they should not disturb me, even at work.

You're now ready to step into this new rhythm. If you have questions, PLEASE REACH OUT.