About Hope

HOPE is a community orientated program that offers Christian based well being help that is practical and positive.

It is more important than ever that we not only find ways to protect our well being, but discover and share ways to strengthen our well being. HOPE therefore encourages positive connections with people as we explore the practical hope that Jesus taught.

Over 7 weeks, we explore the idea of Hope

  • what Jesus taught about hope;

  • how to grow and keep hope;

  • mind-fullness, protecting and strengthening our well being.

These sessions are informal, interactive and run by Mark Harrison who brings 5 years experience of running groups for major NGOs for 5 years. And more importantly, Mark brings understanding and empathy as well as a lived experience of maintaining hope, and protecting well being.

 

Program Overview

Week 1 - Getting the Know Us. The session focuses on introductions and stories, sharing the plan for the program and setting the group norms. We set out to develop a shared understanding of definitions, processes and some of the hopes we share for meeting together.

Week 2 - About me. This session moves towards an understanding of identity and how Jesus lived and saw us. We focus on a few stories and testimonies of what it means to be created in the image of God and examine both the power and unique aspects of identity.

Week 3 - God? Our third gathering explores the characteristics of God, and helps us to value gratitude and thankfulness. We focus on some of the incredible imagery of creation and discuss the importance of foundations in our lives.

Week 4 - Together. This session brings the reality and hope of the relationship between God and humanity, but rather than being abstract and academic, we focus on relational hope. We examine what happens when we struggle and face difficult times, and discover that God knows what we are going through, more than we know!

Week 5 - Ongoing. Our fifth session helps us to explore what it means to navigate hopelessness in hope. We share a few stories and testimonies and talk about what it means to be kind to ourselves and others. We consider aspects of goal setting, values and embracing change.