Purpose: Each of us has a story, a very important and sacred story, in which we and God are
always writing. The apostle Paul eloquently stated it this way:

“12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now
much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is
God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2, NIV
version).
Additionally, the American Counseling Association (2014) Code of Ethics states that counselors
are to, “monitor themselves for signs of impairment from their own physical, mental, or
emotional problems and refrain from offering or providing professional services when such
impairment is likely to harm a client or others” (Section F.5.b). In other words, “Counselor,
know thyself!”

The purpose of this assignment is to give you an opportunity to closely examine how your life
has unfolded to this day in time, unveiling the work of God and your role. The premise is that by
examining your life you will more clearly know what you bring to the counseling relationship
that will both help and hinder your future clients. Additionally, this journaling assignment will
become the basis of your sharing in your intensive growth groups.

Directions: Each journal entry will answer two questions (one for each assigned chapter). Your
answers should reflect two elements: critical thinking and integration of each chapter and
personal application of each chapter content to your life.

Each journal entry (5 total) is due BEFORE your weekly class time. In addition to completing
your journal, you must also bring a copy of each journal entry to class so that you are prepared to
share your journals with others in your growth groups.

Your journal entries should be 1-1.5 pages per question (2-3 pages total per daily entry).
References and citations are not needed for this assignment and first-person may be used, but
please use general APA formatting including a title page, appropriate font, and double spacing.

Allender Text Journal Questions
Journal Entry
Chaps.  Intro & 1

Journal Questions
1. Allender states, “If we’re taking a course, we’re willing to study
books that bore us to pieces, but we won’t take time to review our
own life, which holds answers about God and ourselves that will
thrill us, amaze us and sober us.” Journal on one experience in
your life that has thrilled you, another experience that has amazed you and one that has sobered you.”

2. Allender states that in order to understand our personal stories
we must, “consider the various characters – both major and minor-
who make an appearance” in our lives. Allender points out that the
major characters of parents come with their own stories that are
often passed onto children. Consider your own parents and their
stories. How did they grow up? What stories of their “past
relationships with their parents such as success and shame; power
and abuse; love?”