A story group will take each of us into a formative childhood story that we believe represents a key dynamic in our families and/or still impacts how we relate to others now. In a guided group space, we will journey into each other’s stories with humility, hope and tenacity, trusting that God’s spirit will lead us into new places of healing.
Dan Allender teaches that no one can see their own face. In the context of Zoom and selfies, that may be less literally true than it used to be. However, the deeper truth remains - we are designed to live interdependently, and we require others to reflect back to us things that we cannot see for ourselves.
Even if you have done healing or therapeutic work in an individual context, group engagement offers a helpful complement. You will be surprised at what insight and attunement can come from a safe-enough group environment, and the deeper places you will be invited to enter.
Details
Objectives
Write and read a childhood story in the context of the story group
Begin to name patterns that appear in the narrative which are still shaping how you relate today
Build skills in listening to the narratives of others, asking appropriate questions and naming patterns
Increase faith, hope and love through exploring your own story and the stories of others
General Format
~6 weeks
5-6 group members
Following story engagement guidelines
Facilitator (TJ) will share own story to start group
Participants write and share 1 written story, shared twice
Written story requirements - writing a 600-1000 word-count childhood story (Guideline will be provided)
2 hour time frame
“I became aware of a pattern of my own behavior that I didn’t realize was there.
If it weren’t for the safety and observations of those in the group, I might not have found this new level of self awareness, nor would I have experienced the healing that comes from observing group members advocate and hurt for you when you weren’t able to do so yourself in the moments we chose to share about.”
— Story Group Member