Sharing Your Story

Sample Session (60-90min)

• Preparation

  Be sure to have the materials needed. Different exercises might require pens, crayons, markers, paper, writing paper, large sheets of paper, magazines, scissors, etc.. Having many options, even silly ones (like gel pens or construction paper) can give participants the freedom to be more expressive and open.

   

• The Exercise
  1. Have each person choose one of the [childhood/adolescent/adult] exercises. Each person can do a different exercise. Spend approximately 20 minutes doing the exercise.After everyone has a chance to complete the exercise, go around the group and give each person 5-10 minutes to share what they did and how it represents something important to them. After each person shares, give people a few minutes to ask questions or affirm what they see and hear.
• Session Closing & Follow-Up

  It is always wise to end a session with prayer, whether the exercise is done individually or in groups. Entering into a person’s spiritual story is a holy thing – remember, it is really God’s story; a story of God’s love for you.

  Additionally, for some people, opening up the past can also open up past wounds and memories long suppressed. Be prepared for a range of emotional responses.

  Finally, it is important to give people a chance to tie all the chapters and scenes into a coherent and compelling story. A great way to follow-up on a retreat or a series of gatherings is to create an opportunity share their lifestories with one another. Here are some ideas:

  • In later Small Group gatherings, one person could share his or her lifestory each week.
  • Groups of 2 or 3 could gather on their own time to meet and share.
  • Encourage people to share their story with one person outside the group, perhaps with a close friend or family member who is not a believer.

• Session 1: Childhood

  Items needed: Something to write with and something to write on. The more options you can provide, the better – like colored pencils, markers, and different kinds of paper.

  Your favorite room

  Draw your favorite room. You can choose to fill it with objects and decorations from a specific time, like a snapshot, or you can choose to fill it with items that cover a longer range of time (even if those objects were never in the room at the same time), like a collage. After finishing your drawing, think about why you might remember those particular objects.  What did they mean to you? What feelings do they evoke as you remember them? Are there any strong memories of events or moments that took place in that room?

  Childhood Role Model

  Recall a grown-up who played a pivotal role in your childhood. Draw a scene that you remember with that person or describe a memory of your time with them.
  After you finish your drawing or story, ask yourself why this person was so important to you.  What help did they give you? How did they shape your view of the world? Or yourself? What feelings do you have as you recall this person?

  Earliest Memory

  What is your earliest clear memory from childhood?  Draw a picture or write a description of the scene. Where is it? When was it? Who was there? Who wasn’t there who perhaps should have been? What feelings do you remember feeling then? What feelings do you have now as you recall this early memory? Of all possible moments you might recall, why is this one the one that stays with you?

   

• Session 2: Adolescence

  Items needed: Something to write with and something to write on. The more options you can provide, the better – like colored pencils, markers, and different kinds of paper.

  Role Model

  Reflect on a person who played an important role in your tween or teenage years. Draw that person as you remember him or her, or tell a story of an interaction you had together. How did you meet this person? Why did this person take an interest in you?  What did they see in you? What did they hope that you would see in yourself?

  Conflict or Challenge

  Adolescence is often filled with conflicts and transitions. Recall a conflict or challenge that helped define who you are or wanted to be. Draw a scene or tell a story of how that conflict played out and what changed in you as a result.

  Achievement

  Was there an achievement of which you were particularly proud? Draw the scene or write a few paragraphs about it. Why did you decide to take on this challenge? What made it so difficult? What was it about this achievement that made you particularly proud or happy? Perhaps most importantly, did this achievement reveal something about your particular talents or passions?

• Session 3: Adulthood

  Items needed:  In addition to writing utensils and paper, you’ll want scissors and an assortment of magazines (for the collage) and larger sheets of paper (for the roadmap and the collage).

  Create a Collage

  Using a large sheet of paper, create a collage from magazine clippings.  Cut out relevant words and images and glue them to the paper in way that describes or reveals who you are, what you value, and the direction you are headed.

  Draw a Roadmap

  Using a large sheet of paper, draw a roadmap of your life.  Make sure to detail all the roadblocks, scenic overlooks, road signs, travelling companions, and whatever other features might be important for someone to understand the journey you’ve taken.

  Write About a Significant Achievement

  What do you regard as your most significant achievement as an adult? Note: others may not regard this achievement as important.  Write down story of how it all came about or else list out the sequence of events. Try to keep the following questions in mind:

  • Why did you decide to take on this challenge? What made it so difficult?
  • What was it about this achievement that made you particularly proud or happy?
  • Perhaps most importantly, did this achievement reveal something about your particular talents or passions?