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A Guided Journey to Being Loved is the MTS model in a short, six-chapter art journal for men and women.

EXPLORE: A Guided Journey to Being Loved is the MTS model in a short, six-chapter journal for men and women. Through art, it prompts and supports creative expression, deepening our self-awareness and our connection with God and others.

Welcome!

Welcome to EXPLORE! We’re glad you’re here!

EXPLORE is a creative journal that includes expressive art training videos. Each chapter begins with an original piece of fine art that is meant to prompt or stimulate seeing things in new ways. Allow each painting to open some unexpected soul windows. We will ask you some questions to lead you forward. Pay attention to what you are thinking and feeling as you reflect on each piece of art. Your heart’s voice will probably be soft, tender, much like a whisper, so listen carefully and take good notes.

There is no right or wrong way to move through this resource.

You can gather some friends and watch the videos together while you paint the expressive art prompt. Or you can use this journal as your one-on-one time with Jesus. You can organize a large class and break into small groups for discussion groups. Or you can set it up as you would a small MTS group. It’s your choice! You will know what’s best for you. Either way, listen to the Spirit’s prompting. God knows what’s best for you now, in this season of healing.

We’ve left lots of space for journaling and creating. If God is bringing up an image in your mind’s eye, sketch it quickly in your book. It’s important. Then, if he gives you scripture or words or a memory. Collage it on the page in layers. Don’t leave any of it out. Date the page as an anchor. You might find yourself going back to it again.

As a survivor it’s normal to feel anxiety when you’re not being told what to do. Submission was survival then. However, I encourage you to challenge yourself on these pages. This journal is yours: write poetry, paint, journal honest raw emotion, sketch — dare to dream!

The art you will be creating is not fine art, but expressive art. Expressive art is a powerful tool to facilitate emotional expression, healing, and personal growth. I encourage you to focus on the process of creating and engaging with the art materials and scripture rather than trying to produce a particular art masterpiece or outcome. Expressive art is extremely helpful in deepening one’s self-awareness and emotional regulation. It is grounding and stabilizing thus making it a tool for everyone.