Foundations

Introduction to Foundations

Have you noticed that there are days when we feel low and the world looks bleak?

It’s as if we have tinted spectacles over our minds and the only things that reach us are negative. On other days however, then we can be feeling up, everything is fantastic. It’s the same world but our experience of it can be quite different. If we can experience the world so differently, how can we know what is real?

Foundations exists to help small groups of people engage with the whole gospel about Jesus, to grow together, and be equipped to bring the life of the Kingdom into the world around us.

Watch a video from Foundations founder, Mal Garvin.

The Three Streams of Foundations:

Living with God

Living with God is designed to help us come to terms with our lives by being able to distinguish between the voice of God and the host of other human needs and prejudices which clamour for our attention. How can we stay connected to God so that we live in a way that genuinely honours what is important to Him?

Living with Others

Deep down, most of us long to have a positive impact with our lives. Living with others helps us develop some practical skills that help us contribute to love, positive change and growth in the lives of those we are connected to.

Living with Yourself

Living with yourself takes us on a journey of discovery into the make up of our own souls. How does our body with its nervous system, its hormones and other chemical responses impact us? What’s the difference between true and false guilt? Can attitudes be changed? How do we develop new habits that serve us?

What our Students are Saying

I have had practical and theoretical training as a Family/Marriage counselor. Part of my training focused on communication and active listening. One of the first things we learned is, no communication is complete until the listener checks back with the speaker as to what was actually heard and understood. The comment/ question to the speaker would, “so I think you are saying………is that right? Have I got it right? It seems empathic listening doesn’t just come naturally to most of us; but, practice makes perfect. The more thoughtful reminders and practice the better, so thank-you for that.

Each unit has been well taught and there were highlights from each one but for some reason the love and sexuality unit stuck out for me with regard to the reminder that intimacy isn’t only about sex. Agape love! The world needs to hear that message loudly because we are inundated with the opposite message all the time.

What faith is and is not – not a spiritual currency Glory of God – not a shining light so much as His character being displayed and actioned The Nature of Human Existence – God humanized us; that rhythm in Genesis of creation being spoken into existence was interrupted, God personally formed us with his hands – wow!

Body, Soul Spirit and Self and Relationship – wholistic teaching, not often taught, very real and practical things that get in the way of living as we were made to live, so necessary.

I have done this course before. It is extremely thought provoking and so far I have enjoyed having to consider the nature of God’s glory, and particularly sin, the consequences of sin and the cross! Its wonderful teaching. Doesn’t skirt round the difficult bits but guides us to consider the truth of sin the the ultimate truth of God’s victory over sin and death.