Sample of C2: Group Format

The following is a three-page sample of one C2 session [it's actually 5 pages long including Key Notes and Journal Questions]. If you like this, you will love the entire session. Remember, this is the presenters manual. The student doesn’t get a copy of this but only of the Key Notes and the Journal Questions.

PASSION: Responsibility

Introduction:

Will you devote the next few minutes to change your life?

Will you think about your life and what you will make of it?

Will you examine your belief system to determine why you believe what you believe?

Will you dedicate yourself to do what will make your life richer, better, and more successful, even if doing so is hard work?

Will you think with me about responsibility?

Movie Clip #1: “Coach Carter” View a list of all lessons and movies.

Presentation: Developing Your Responsibility

Dr. Albert Schweitzer - “Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment, and learn again to exercise his will — his personal responsibility.”

Allan Massie - “We are responsible for actions performed in response to circumstances for which we are not responsible.”

Abraham Lincoln - “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

Doug Larson - “The reason people blame things on previous generations is that there's only one other choice.”

Rose Lane - “As novices, we think we're entirely responsible for the way people treat us. I have long since learned that we are responsible only for the way we treat people.”

Webster’s defines responsibility in two parts. First, a responsible person is “able to choose for oneself between right and wrong.” This means we not only know the right choice. We also make the right choice. Also, we know the things to avoid and we avoid them.

Second, a responsible person is “able to answer for one’s conduct and obligations; accountable; reliable, trustworthy.” This means we can admit when we make a mistake or a bad choice, suffer the consequences, and learn not to do it in the future.

So responsibility is knowing right and wrong, choosing to do the right thing most of the time, and admitting when we mess up. Responsibility is a big part of maturity.

How do we determine what is right and wrong? Obviously the law tells us what is wrong to do and punishes us if we do it.

For example, when I get a checking account, I have a responsibility to make sure I have money in the bank before I write a check. If I make a mistake and write a bad check, I have to get the money to cover the check in the bank immediately plus pay a $30 fee for writing a bad check. If I am not responsible to cover my mistake, then I am breaking the law. I will be held responsible to pay that amount to avoid going to jail.

But we have many more decisions to make about what is right and wrong in life. For example, there is no law against lying to a friend. Someone at school can call you horrible names and they won’t get suspended. Who says any of this stuff is wrong?

Our movie clip next time will be from Pirates of the Caribbean. In it, they talk of “The Code,” a book of rules that all pirates must follow or they aren’t real pirates. The code isn’t the law. Rather, a code is a way of life we chose because we believe it is the right way to live.

We have codes in real life. Every group has its own code, including this one. The guys on Coach Carter’s basketball team had to sign a code of conduct in order to gain the privilege of playing on his team. Yet his code was temporary.

Other groups write a permanent code for every day life. Are you a member of a group that has a code to live by? Some examples are Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, religions, orders such as Masons, and service groups like Kiwanis and Rotary.

These groups provide a great service to our culture by showing us how we should treat each other and how to get along with one another. They also challenge us to be responsible in our attitudes, words, and behavior.

Of course, a code is only as good as our commitment to follow it. If we fail in our commitment, we remove ourselves from being a true member of our group.

Many of us have not been given a code or a standard of responsibility. We have no real standard to follow and no guidelines for life. While the phrase, “No rules!” has become popular, it is anarchy and really doesn’t work. Just think what driving would be like with no rules! We think the roads are dangerous now!

Having a code to live by is an important part of becoming responsible. What code have you chosen?

Some people choose never to be responsible because they can’t admit doing anything wrong. They fear that if they admit it, they will confirm they are a bad person. Their insecurity keeps them from admitting any mistake or error.

Do you know someone who never admits when they are wrong? Regardless of how obvious it is to their friends or family, they will insist, “I didn’t do it,” or “It wasn’t my fault!” Their unwillingness to admit their faults becomes their worst fault!

Can you admit when you do something wrong?

A person who refuses to admit his mistakes and bad choices or who doesn’t know right from wrong is called irresponsible. Until he chooses to become responsible, he will continue to make the same bad choices over and over. He will have a hard time in friendship, marriage, and work.

Irresponsibility is a hallmark of immorality and immaturity. They all go together. I call these “The Three Stooges of Character.” They may seem silly or fun, but they will destroy your happiness if you entertain them.

[presentation continues]

Sample of the Key Notes:

Here are some samples of the Key Notes of this session that is a handout. The students are to fill in the blanks as the presenter goes through the presentation. Notice that the presentation notes have the Key Notes sentences underlined so the presenter knows they must emphasize the missing word. This keeps the students involved in the presentation and shows them what are the key points.

PASSION: Responsibility

Key Notes

1 .Responsibility has two parts:

a.A responsible person is “able to choose for oneself between ____________ and ____________________________.”

b.A responsible person is “able to answer for one’s conduct and obligations;

accountable; ________________________________, __________________________________________.”

2. Responsibility is a big part of ______________________________________.

3. Having a _____________ to live by is an important part of becoming responsible.

4. Some people choose never to be responsible because they can’t ______________ doing anything wrong.

5. A person who refuses to admit his mistakes will make the same bad ___________ over and over.

[Key Notes Continue]

Sample of the Journal Questions:

The last section here is the Journal Questions handout. In these, the students individually write out their answers in order to apply the training to their life and relationships. After recording their answers, they gather as a group to discuss them. No group member is required to talk or tell their answers, but most want to.

PASSION: Responsibility

Journal Questions:

1.In the movie, “Coach Carter,” the players were held responsible for their grades and behavior. Some upheld their responsibilities and some didn’t. Who is the most irresponsible person you know? What proves their irresponsibility?

2.In the movie, Timo Cruz’s irresponsibility hurt the team, but it hurt him worse. What really bothers you about the person’s irresponsibility you named in #1? Who is s/he hurting most by his/her irresponsibility?