Step 4 - Inventory

We make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Foundation 4

“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” (Psalm 51:6)

Key Theme

Realize God’s grace; what he wants to change in you.

Remember

You are a new creation. Take off the old nature and live by the new nature in Christ.

NOTE: Attend Inventory Training as a group or watch the Inventory Training Module.

Things to Remember

• This is the first week of working on inventory. This week’s focus is the Resentments and Fears Inventories.
• This workshop time is to answer questions, check on progress, get started, and give encouragement.
• This step takes courage. Keep your eye open for those struggling to start.
• Spend the first 10 minutes of the group answering questions or struggles with the inventory. Then, use the rest of the group time working on inventory.

Encouragement for Participants

• Don’t be afraid – you are a child of God. Romans 8:15, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
• Work on inventory daily. Set aside extended time during the week or on the weekend.
• Stay in touch with your mentor to talk through areas you may feel stuck.
• If stuck, let us know. We want to help you keep moving through Step 4.
• Be thorough. The more you reveal, the deeper the healing.

Encouragement for the Leaders

Be ready for logistical questions: “Am I doing this right?” “Should this go in another inventory?” “Do I need to inventory something I’ve dealt with in the past?”

Inventory Process:

• Don’t get hung up on which inventory an event belongs in. These inventories are different windows into the same house. Different inventories give different perspectives of events. You can inventory the same event in multiple inventories if beneficial, but it may not be necessary.
  
• This is a time of discovery. Be thorough as you try to identify your sinful nature patterns.
• These sins don’t define you anymore. Christ defines who you are: a child of God.

Give a personal example from your inventory.

• Check to see if participants have set aside extended time to work on inventory. Perhaps longer chunks of time will help. Set a goal for the week when you will spend time on inventory.
• For those struggling to start, have them meet with you when the group breaks up to work on inventory. Answer questions and help them work through an example.
• Encourage them to fill out what they can rather than an “all or nothing” or perfectionistic attitude! Not all blanks on the chart have to be filled out if they get stuck. They can always go back and fill these in as more understanding comes.
• Who are the no-shows? Make sure you follow-up with them this week (and their mentor). This is a time when it is easy for people to drop out: revisit the pain and failures of the past.
• God can redeem the past. Romans 8:28-29: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…”