3.1 exploring stories€¦ · 1. getting started 2. dwelling in the word 3. what kind of stories?...

Stepping Out: Attending to the stories of people in the neighbourhood

3.1 Exploring Stories www.joiningGod.org

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3.1 Exploring Stories

Agenda 1. Getting Started 2. Dwelling in the Word 3. What kind of stories? 4. Practicing with each other 5. Activity 3.1 6. Liturgy

Dwelling in the Word Luke 10: 1-12 1After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town

and place where he himself intended to go. 2He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers

are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3Go on your way.

See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and

greet no one on the road. 5Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” 6And if anyone is

there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7Remain

in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do

not move about from house to house. 8Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat

what is set before you; 9cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come

near to you.” 10But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets

and say, 11“Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet

know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” 12I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for

Sodom than for that town.

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.



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Dwelling Questions 1. Where is your imagination stopped? 2. Are there words, phrases or ideas which grasp you?

3. How do you think the Spirit of God might be nudging you?

An encounter is not an exercise in power. Nor is it a demonstration of generosity through which we seek to "do good to" the other. It demands real humility and deep vulnerability. To be present to the other, to listen to and regard him or her with respect and attention, allows us to receive in our turn. This is a communion of hearts, a reciprocal gift, freely given.

Jean Vanier Signs: Seven Words of Hope



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What Kind of Stories? Listening to someone’s story is a gift. It puts you in the position of receiving from another. You are not listening in order to respond to someone or to gather information. You are not trying to convince someone to do something or to share your ideas or beliefs. You are simply being with them and wondering about what God might be revealing through their story.

Practicing with Each Other Sample Questions

1. What are you up to this week that you are looking forward to or are worried about? 2. What do you love about where you live? 3. What has brought you joy this week? 4. What kinds of things are on your mind right now? 5. What is a question that you are wrestling with right now? Why is that? 6. Who in your life is challenging you right now? Why? 7. Who in your life is supporting you right now? How?

Prayer Lord, thank you for continuing to show me that you are alive and active in the places I live, work and play and in the people I encounter each day. Help me now to listen with the expectation that you are present. Amen.

Video Reflection Questions 1. Where did your imagination stop? 2. What captures your attention? 3. How is this story an example of being with? 4. How do you see God at work in this story?



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Reflection Questions As the story-listener: What did you hear? Summarize the story. Wondering: What new insights did you gain from this story? About the person you listened to? About yourself?

How did listening to this story impact you? As the story-teller: What happened to you as you told your story?

Listening Reflection Questions 1. Where did your imagination stop? 2. What captures your attention? 3. How did you see God at work in this story?



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3.1 Activity This activity is an opportunity to practice a posture of anticipation as you listen to stories of people in the neighbourhood with the expectation that God is present. 1. Prepare to listen to another. Begin by using the simple prayer/liturgy in the box below. Take

a few moments of silence and slowly read through this prayer twice.

Lord, you call your people to another way of being in the world, to your way of loving, living and being with neighbours. In the places I live, work, rest and play, May I be attentive and open to your life. Lord, awaken me to your presence. In the work, chores, rest, and play ahead of me this week, May I trust your faithfulness and presence. Lord, awaken me to your presence. In the ordinary exchanges with neighbours around me, May I tune my heart, mind and ears to your voice at work.

Lord, awaken me to your presence.

In the stories I receive from people in my everyday life, May I listen with the expectation that you are present. Lord, awaken me to your presence. Help me see more of what you are doing in and through the lives of people I encounter this day. Lord, awaken me to your presence. Lord, you call your people to another way of being in the world, to your way of loving, living and being with neighbours.

2. Follow steps #1-3 on the Activity Sheet below. As you work through the activity sheet on Page 7 note the following comments.

Making Space for Connections Building natural connections take time and the ability to be with others. We encounter opportunities to build these connections all the time. Think ahead to the next week or so and when you are going to be intentional about showing up ready to listen. These opportunities are not intended to be orchestrated but, instead, would be happening anyway. The only difference is in how you are choosing to be present. Some examples might include being with another parent on the sidelines of a sports field, being with a fellow dog-walker as you throw balls in the park, being with the person at the bus stop that you see every morning. (You may need to show up more than once as these are not encounters we control or can make happen. The good news is that most people enjoy natural connections and you have the opportunity to see and learn all kinds of things in this “being with” space.)


3.1 Exploring Stories www.joiningGod.org 6

Through the listening work you did in Module 2, you may have already begun to build a natural connection that you might want to revisit for this activity. Was there a person that you connected with in which the listening experience that you had has stuck with you? Are you curious or do you perhaps feel compelled to engage with this person further?

3. Visit the Joining God Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/jg.steppingout/ Share with the community your answer to the following reflection: Describe the impact the story you listen to had on you.



1. GETTING READY

“Being with” spaces Where are the natural “being with” places in your life? These are places where we are not focused on solving problems but enjoy people for their own sake. Write down 2-3 places in your everyday life that are natural points of connection with others.

Making space for connections Think ahead to the next week or so and when you are going to be intentional about showing up ready to listen. Write down 2-3 of these times.

2. LISTENING TO ANOTHER

Prayer Before your listening opportunity, pray the following: Lord, thank you for continuing to show me that you are alive and active in the places I live, work and play and in the people I encounter each day. Help me now to listen with the expectation that you are present. Amen.

Questions

These questions are a place to start and not intended to be a list to be checked off. (No one wants to feel like they are being interviewed in a “being with” conversation). These questions are examples of the types of questions you may want to ask. Be curious. Be open. Be ready to receive from another. Be okay with a simple exchange or encounter.

• What are you looking forward to this

Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter? • What made you choose to live in this neighbourhood? • What do you appreciate most about your life here? • What’s been a high point of this past month for you? • What are you hopeful about right now?

3. REFLECTING What is the story you received? Take some brief notes so that you are able to share this story at the next gathering.

Take some time to reflect on how this story impacted you. Did you learn something new? Did you have an idea challenged or emotions stirred? If so, can you describe the impact on you?

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Liturgy Read together except for the bold text which is for a single reader (alternate readers among group). Begin by spending a few moments in silence together. Together let’s proclaim: We believe and trust in God the Father Almighty. We believe and trust in Jesus Christ His Son. We believe and trust in the Holy Spirit. We believe and trust in the Three in One. Lord, we know that you are good. Your steadfast love endures, your faithfulness to all generations. You continue to show us your goodness right here in this place. We see the signs of your life and coming kingdom, in the places we live, work and worship. Lord, we know that you are good. Lord, awaken us to your presence. You call us to another way of being in the world, to your way of loving, living and being with neighbours. In the places we live, work, rest and play, May we be attentive and open to your life among us. Lord, awaken us to your presence. In the work, chores, rest, and play ahead of us this week, May we trust your faithfulness and presence among us. Lord, awaken us to your presence. In the ordinary exchanges with the neighbours around us, May we tune our hearts, minds and ears to your voice at work. Lord, awaken us to your presence.

In the stories we receive from people in our everyday lives, May we listen with the expectation that you are present. Lord, you call us to another way of being in the world, to your way of loving, living and being with neighbours. Lord, awaken us to your presence. Take a few moments to prayerfully lift up the names of people and places in your neighbourhoods that have been on your mind and heart today. Let us say together the prayer Jesus taught us: The Lord’s Prayer We believe and trust in God the Father Almighty. Creator God you are faithful and continue to shape us, form us and call forth life from among us. We believe and trust this day. We believe and trust in Jesus Christ His Son. Lord Jesus Christ you came and dwelt among us, inviting us to join you in the making-of-all-things new. We believe and trust this day. We believe and trust in the Holy Spirit. Spirit of God you fill the whole earth, even our neighbourhoods, creating new life and renewing our hope. We believe and trust this day. We believe and trust in the Three in One. Triune God, your kingdom comes, often disorienting, but filled with wonder, justice, grace and mercy. We believe and trust this day.

3.1 exploring stories€¦ · 1. getting started 2. dwelling in the word 3. what kind of stories?...

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