Topic 6 Worksheet

Using the Truth, Grace, and Action Triangle

Course: Coaching Ministry Foundations
Topic 6: The Life Coaching Model for Ministry
Presentation: The Ministry Coaching Model: Triangle — Truth, Grace, Action
Reading: Coaching vs. Counseling vs. Discipleship
Case Study: The Triangle Held the Conversation

This worksheet helps students practice using the Truth, Grace, and Action triangle in real Ministry Coaching Conversations. Topic 6 teaches that without a model, coaching can become too soft, too harsh, or too chaotic. The reading also reminds Life Coach Ministers to know the difference between coaching, counseling, and discipleship so they can serve wisely without overreaching.

Part 1: Opening Scripture Reflection

Read the following passages slowly.

John 1:17, WEB
“For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”

John 8:32, WEB
“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

James 1:22, WEB
“But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.”

Ephesians 4:16, WEB
“From whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.”

Zechariah 4:6, WEB
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says Yahweh of Armies.

Reflection Questions

1. What does John 1:17 teach about holding grace and truth together?

2. Why is truth necessary for freedom?

3. Why does James 1:22 connect hearing truth with taking action?

4. How does Ephesians 4:16 remind us that no one ministry role does everything?

5. What does Zechariah 4:6 teach a Life Coach Minister about humility?

Part 2: Understanding the Triangle

Write a short definition for each part of the Ministry Coaching Model.

Truth

Truth helps the person face reality before God.

In your own words, truth means:

A helpful truth question might be:

Grace

Grace reminds the person that God meets them with mercy, compassion, and hope.

In your own words, grace means:

A helpful grace question might be:

Action

Action helps the person take one faithful next step.

In your own words, action means:

A helpful action question might be:

Part 3: The Sailboat Reflection

The Topic 6 presentation uses the image of a sailboat tacking back and forth against the wind. A person may need truth, then grace, then action, then more truth, then more grace. A model helps the Life Coach Minister avoid crashing into extremes.

Answer the following:

1. What happens when coaching becomes truth without grace?

2. What happens when coaching becomes grace without truth?

3. What happens when coaching becomes action without truth or grace?

4. Which imbalance are you most likely to fall into?

___ Too much truth without enough grace
___ Too much grace without enough truth
___ Too much action without enough discernment
___ Avoiding action because the conversation feels emotional

5. Why did you choose that answer?

Part 4: Case Study Reflection — “The Triangle Held the Conversation”

Review the case study about Marisol and Caleb.

1. What was Marisol’s presenting concern?

2. What deeper issues emerged as Caleb listened?

3. What truth did Caleb help Marisol name?

4. What grace did Caleb help Marisol receive?

5. What action step did Marisol choose?

6. Why was it wise for Caleb not to become her counselor?

7. How did Caleb refer Marisol without making her feel abandoned?

8. What did Caleb do that showed humility?

Part 5: Truth, Grace, and Action Practice

Read each situation. Write one truth question, one grace question, and one action question.

Situation 1

A church volunteer says, “I keep saying yes to everything, and now I resent everyone.”

Truth question:

Grace question:

Action question:

Situation 2

A young adult says, “I think God is disappointed in me because I keep failing.”

Truth question:

Grace question:

Action question:

Situation 3

A ministry leader says, “I am burned out, but if I stop, everything will fall apart.”

Truth question:

Grace question:

Action question:

Situation 4

A married person says, “We fight constantly, but I do not want anyone else involved.”

Truth question:

Grace question:

Action question:

Part 6: Ministry Sciences Reflection

Ministry Sciences helps the Life Coach Minister see the whole person before God. A person’s struggle may include spiritual, emotional, relational, practical, physical, vocational, and calling-related concerns.

Using Marisol’s case, identify what may be happening in each area.

Spiritual Concerns

What may Marisol be believing about God, failure, or condemnation?

Emotional Concerns

What emotions may be beneath her words?

Relational Concerns

What relational tensions are affecting her?

Practical Concerns

What real-life responsibilities are pressing on her?

Physical Concerns

How might lack of sleep or anxiety affect her choices?

Calling Concerns

How might her stress affect her sense of calling?

Support Concerns

What kind of help may she need beyond coaching?

Part 7: Role Clarity — Coaching, Counseling, or Discipleship?

The Topic 6 reading teaches that coaching, counseling, and discipleship are distinct forms of care. Coaching focuses on clarity, ownership, and forward movement. Counseling focuses on healing, integration, trauma, and emotional wholeness. Discipleship focuses on spiritual growth, Scripture, obedience, and Christlike formation.

For each situation, mark the primary lane.

1. A believer wants help discerning whether to begin a new ministry role.

___ Coaching
___ Counseling
___ Discipleship

Why?

2. A person shares ongoing panic attacks, childhood abuse, and inability to sleep.

___ Coaching
___ Counseling
___ Discipleship

Why?

3. A new Christian wants to learn how to pray, study Scripture, and follow Jesus.

___ Coaching
___ Counseling
___ Discipleship

Why?

4. A leader feels stuck and wants help identifying one faithful next step.

___ Coaching
___ Counseling
___ Discipleship

Why?

5. A church member confesses a pattern of sin and asks for accountability and biblical correction.

___ Coaching
___ Counseling
___ Discipleship

Why?

Part 8: Referral Wisdom

A referral is not abandonment. It is faithfulness. A Life Coach Minister should refer when the need goes beyond coaching, especially when trauma, persistent anxiety or depression, addiction, self-destructive patterns, suicidal thoughts, unresolved grief, or serious relational instability are present.

Answer the following:

1. What are three signs that a person may need counseling instead of coaching?

   1. ---

   2. ---

   3. ---

2. What words could you use to refer someone gently?

3. Why should a coach avoid diagnosing?

4. Why is referral sometimes the most loving action?

5. How can a coach continue to support someone appropriately after referral?

Part 9: Practicing Balanced Responses

Rewrite each unbalanced response into a better Truth, Grace, and Action response.

1. Truth Without Grace

Unbalanced response:
“You need to face reality. Your life is a mess because of your choices.”

Balanced response:

2. Grace Without Truth

Unbalanced response:
“Don’t worry about any of that. God loves you, so everything is fine.”

Balanced response:

3. Action Without Discernment

Unbalanced response:
“Here are five things you need to do before next week.”

Balanced response:

4. Referral Without Warmth

Unbalanced response:
“This is too much for coaching. You need counseling.”

Balanced response:

5. Scripture Without Permission

Unbalanced response:
“The Bible says this, so you just need to obey.”

Balanced response:

Part 10: Building a Coaching Triangle Plan

Choose one real or imagined ministry coaching situation. Complete the triangle.

Situation

What is the person facing?

Truth

What reality may need to be named?

What question could help draw out truth?

Grace

What mercy, compassion, or gospel hope may need to be received?

What question could help the person notice grace?

Action

What is one faithful next step?

What question could help the person choose action?

Boundary

What should the Life Coach Minister not try to fix, carry, diagnose, or control?

Referral

Is referral needed?

___ Yes
___ No
___ Maybe

Why?

Part 11: Personal Self-Assessment

Rate yourself from 1 to 5.

1 = Needs growth
5 = Strong practice

I can help a person face truth without becoming harsh.
1 2 3 4 5

I can offer grace without avoiding reality.
1 2 3 4 5

I can encourage action without rushing or controlling.
1 2 3 4 5

I can recognize when a situation may need counseling.
1 2 3 4 5

I can distinguish coaching from discipleship.
1 2 3 4 5

I can refer someone without making them feel rejected.
1 2 3 4 5

I can remember that I am not the fixer, therapist, savior, or Holy Spirit.
1 2 3 4 5

Reflection

Which area needs the most growth?

What is one way you will practice that growth?

Part 12: My Next Faithful Step

This week, I will practice the Truth, Grace, and Action triangle by:

One question I want to ask more often is:

One coaching imbalance I need to avoid is:

One boundary I need to remember is:

One way I can honor the wider Body of Christ is:

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are full of grace and truth. Teach me to help others face reality without shame, receive mercy without denial, and take faithful action without pressure. Give me wisdom to know my role, humility to know my limits, and courage to refer when another kind of care is needed. Help me walk beside others with truth, grace, and Spirit-led action. Amen.