(The National Study of Youth and Religion)

(Search Institute)

To be better at telling

our stories we need to

hear lots of stories

There’s something

about hearing a story

that compels us to

share our own.

Designate 4 clear corners

Give participants the opportunity to

express how think about God

Present 4 choices

Move to chosen corners

Ask if anyone is willing to share

(It’s not up for debate… we just listen)

1 2

3 4

Make a timeline and indicate 6-8 BIG

moments

In another color indicate how you felt in

those times – with height and depth.

In yet another color – indicate how near or

far you felt the presence of God to be

Make a ring for

every year you are

old. You can use

multiples of 2 or 4 or

5 if that’s easier

Note big life events

in the year they

happened

--born

--moved to Canada

--Mission Trip to South Africa

--First in my family to attend college

Accepted to Seminary --

Grandma died--

Draw a shield on

your paper.

Section it off.

Using words or

symbols, answer

the questions

How did your family

choose your name?

Share about

the Parish

you grew up

in

Share about

the Parish

you attend

now

Who

inspires

you?

Who

encourages

your faith?

1.Remembering

2.Gratitude

3.Worship

4.Endings or New

Beginnings

5.Mountain High/ Near

6.Valley Low/Far

7.Loss

8.Quest/Journey

9.Care

10. Other

Place the Images

Ask participants to pick one image that

speaks to them regarding a specific

question or theme, ie:

▪ How you feel about your parish

▪ Youth Ministry where I come from

▪ If you could ask God one question

▪ A time I felt God’s leading

▪ Something I’ve learned about God

recently

We are all saved from

something for something

Inhibitions & the Hot Seat

3 Things to “Get You”

Use a theme to share your story more

creatively or artistically▪ Life is like…

▪ Life is like a body of water (river, stream, pond, lake,

ocean, well)

▪ Life is like an amusement park attraction

▪ Board game

▪ Mode of transportation (highway, trail, railroad, back

road, dual lane …)

▪ Extra-curricular Activity

Staying within the theme pick 8-12 big

events from your life…. They don’t

have to mean anything to anyone else,

they just have to mean something to

you

Be sure to include where God and your

faith fit in… using “milestones” or any

other markers.

Who is someone in the Bible you admire?

Who is someone in the Bible you identify

with?

Why did you pick this Parish? & Why did you

stay?

How did you start serving in this ministry?

Tell me about your Confirmation?

Who is someone that modeled real faith to

you?

Share about a time God answered a prayerHave you ever experienced or witnessed a miracle?Tell me about a time you served meaningfullyTell me about time you were meaningfully servedShare about the first time you experienced the presence of GodHave you ever heard God speak to you and how did it manifest itself?

When did you know Jesus was real?

Share about a time you experienced deep

peace in chaotic circumstances?

When things are going well for you, is there a

verse of Scripture that comes to mind?

When times are hard, is there a verse of

Scripture that helps you through it?

Your favorite attribute or name for God.