The latest Alban Institute newsletter contains this helpful exercise:

Reflecting with God

1. Naming the Experience: Choosing an event on which to reflect
Choose an event, a moment, a conversation, or a situation. As you recall the event, ask yourself:
* What happened?
* Who was involved?
* What did you say or do?

2. Exploring the Experience: Finding another layer to the event
To explore another layer in this event, ask yourself:
* How did you feel?
* What challenged, stimulated, or disturbed you?
* What was happening for others in the situation?

3. Digging Deeper: Expanding your thinking
To discover another layer of reflection, ask yourself:
* What do you think about the situation?
* What core values emerge as you think about this event?
* What values are different from yours?
* What social issues, power issues, or economic issues are at work?

4. Making Faith Connections: Finding God at work in this event
To make faith connections, ask yourself:
* Where is God present for you in this situation?
* Where is God present for others?
* Does this event remind you of a scripture passage, a hymn, or other resources from your faith tradition?
* What theological issues or themes are present?
* What traditions of our church speak to this situation?
* Are you affirmed or challenged in your present actions or beliefs?

5. Leaning: Naming your discoveries
To draw out what you learned, ask yourself:
* What questions still linger?
* Were you challenged to change present actions or beliefs?
* What have you learned about yourself?
* What have you learned about God?
* What do you need?
* What will you do now?

6. Praying: Taking time with God
To conclude your reflection, write a prayer emerging from this event.

From Reflecting with God: Connecting Faith and Daily Life in Small Groups by Abigail Johnson (Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2004)

This entry was posted on Monday, November 22nd, 2004 at 5:52 pm by phil and is filed under spirituality and prayers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.