A Christian Life Coaching session is a sacred space – in fact, it’s holy ground.
The Bible mentions “holy ground” twice. The first time is in the account of Moses’ encounter with God and the burning bush in Exodus 3:5. This is where God spoke to Moses from the bush saying, “Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
The second time “holy ground” is referenced is in Acts 7:33 when Stephen refers back to the account in Exodus 3:5 to demonstrate to the Sanhedrin that God’s presence can be in places other than the temple.
Why do we say that Christian Life Coaching is holy ground?
Christian Life Coaching is holy ground because God is present, and wherever God is, His holiness dwells. That means when Christians come together, we are on holy ground.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.” Matthew 18:20
Cultivating Trust and Safety
One of the eight International Coaching Federation (ICF) Core Competencies is that the coach co-creates the relationship by cultivating trust and safety in their coaching. ICF defines this as the coach “partners with the client to create a safe, supportive environment that allows the client to share freely” and also “maintains a relationship of mutual respect and trust.”
There’s no better way to cultivate trust and safety with your Christian Life Coaching clients than to begin by preparing your heart for the holy ground of the coaching session.
Preparing Your Heart for the Coaching Session
Before your client ever arrives at their coaching session, it’s important to prepare your heart.
Imagine that you’re really excited about meeting with a Life Coach to come up with a plan to accomplish the calling God has placed on your heart. Now consider if you would trust and feel safe with a coach who rushes in late for your appointment, behaving anxiously and unprepared.
Being spiritually, physically, or emotionally unprepared causes clients to have their guard up as they figure out if you’re trustworthy – or not.
But if you prepare and ready your heart beforehand, you are cultivating trust and safety on the holy ground of the coaching session.
There are many ways you can prepare your heart before coaching clients. A few suggestions include the following:
· Being filled with the Holy Spirit – The Holy Spirit empowers you to empower your clients!
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
· Being faithful in prayer – While you’re praying, confess sins, forgive others, and ask the Lord for insight. Is there anything He wants you to know for your next session with the client? Does it line up with Scripture?
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
· Worshiping the Lord – Worshiping the Lord includes so much more than singing praises to Him! It’s your lifestyle.
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness” (1 Chronicles 16:29).
· Ground yourself in the Word of God – How can we assist our clients in knowing God’s will for their lives? We can only guide our clients into God’s presence if we know Him through His Word.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
Interested in Learning More About Christian Life Coaching?
Is God calling you to Christian Life Coaching? The Center for Christian Coaching offers ICF-accredited, Christ-centered Life Coach training. You will learn how to help clients explore and integrate their faith in God to resolve life challenges by applying defined Biblical principles and much more. Contact us today to learn more!