SESSION 3 - THE POWER OF STORY

GROUP VIDEO

Today we discussed the importance of sharing our Stories!

SESSION 3 - GROUP VIDEO

Watch 10-20 minutes of a GROUP video teaching, that correlates with the full Workshop semester topics.

GROUP CONVERSATION GUIDE

It’s interesting how much of our lives revolve around a story. I think it’s the reason we read books. It’s the reason we watch movies. It’s why we get hooked on TV sitcoms and shows. It’s the reason we ask our parents to tell us stories, even the same stories, over and over again. The great times around dinner tables with family and friends is because we love the warmth, emotion and connection of stories.

  • PSALM 44:1 We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us [what] WORK YOU DID in their days, in the days of old.
  • PSALM 111:4 God has made His wonderful works to be REMEMBERED; the Lord is gracious, merciful, and full of loving compassion.

 

WHEN WE TELL STORIES...

When we tell our stories in an authentic heart...

  1. It is a GIFT to OURSELVES
  2. It is a GIFT to OTHERS
  3. It is a GIFT to GOD

 

THE BRAIN AND STORY

In neuroscience, the brain changes on the impact of experiencing someone's personal story. Each story heard releases neuro-chemicals for empathy, compassion, nurture and connection. Experiencing story makes oxytocin (the relationship-connection chemical) wash over our brains. And every time we have reinforced neuro-chemicals pass through the brain's circuitry, we adjust in the plasticity of the brain, changing it. Remember, we don't FEEL anything without a neuro-transmitter or hormone being released. 

  • When the story-teller TRUSTS, the brain TRANSMITS.
  • When the listener TRUSTS, the brain BONDS.
  • When mutual TRUST happens, AMAZING THINGS happen.

 

ASKING 3 THINGS OF YOU

We are asking 3 things of you for the next 10 weeks:

  1. Show Up
  2. Join In
  3. Be Real

 

TONIGHTS DISCUSSION

Your Host will lead the Group in an icebreaker for everyone to share in. Then you will hear the Memoir Stories of those in your Group. Be prepared to share, using MY MEMOIR: PREPARING TO TELL MY STORY (Scope Timeline) worksheet to help you think through your story. You can download the SCOPE TIMELINE WORKSHEET at the link. There is a longer version of the worksheet, that gives an extra step to dig deeper into your story, which can be downloaded at LONG VERSION WORKSHEET (RECOMMENDED). You can also watch the WRAP UP video from last week that explains how to use the worksheet. Each person's Memoir should be 10-15 minutes long.

IMPORTANT:  We would like to have 4 people share their stories, per night, for the next 3 nights. That only leaves time for 12 total stories. If you have more in your Group than 12, plan to add a 5th person's story per night, for the next 3 weeks. Also, help everyone stay in the 10-15 minute range for their stories, so everyone can participate with ease.

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Take a few moments to discuss your answers to these questions with the Group.

 

ICE BREAKER  

Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?

 

MY MEMOIR STORIES

Start with the Hosts (husband, wife), then if you have an Apprentice go next. Then open it up to the Group. 

  • It isn't necessary that a person follow the SCOPE TIMELINE WORKSHEET, but it will make it easier for people to follow a structure. There is a longer version of the worksheet, that gives an extra step to dig deeper into your story, which can be downloaded at LONG VERSION WORKSHEET (RECOMMENDED). 
  • The goal is to have each individual person share for 10-15 minutes of their life story (Memoir). As the Host try to stay tuned to each person's story and ask things like, "What was that like?" or "How did that make you feel?" or "What was the emotional power rating you would put on that event?"
  • IMPORTANT:  We would like to have 4 people share their stories, per night, for the next 3 nights. That only leaves time for 12 total stories. If you have more in your Group than 12, plan to add a 5th person's story per night, for the next 3 weeks. Also, help everyone stay in the 10-15 minute range for their stories, so everyone can participate with ease.

 

POST-MEMOIR STORIES

If the Group completes the MEMOIR STORIES, having heard from everyone signed up from the Group, or there is a minimal attendance in tonight's Group, feel free to use the following questions for conversation (of course the memoir stories have top priority). Use last week's questions below first (if you DIDN'T use them last week), then use this week's.

Last Week's

  1. Who was your best friend in childhood? What was it about that person that caused you to connect with him or her?
  2. In what ways do people present exaggerated images of themselves to the world? What harm can these exaggerations cause?
  3. Have you ever judged someone based on first impressions only to change your mind when you heard more of that person's story? What is it about hearing his or her story that changes your mind?

This Week's

  1. How did you feel about telling your story in this Group?
  2. If you struggled to be open and transparent about telling your story, what were your fears of how it might change your relationship with the people in this Group?
  3. What are some things that would make this Group safe enough for you to be open and transparent?

SESSION 3 - WRAP UP VIDEO #2

This is a 5-10 minute video for MOVING FORWARD, GOING DEEPER, use of worksheets and periodic church-wide announcements.

MOVE FORWARD

Receive the challenge to “MOVE FORWARD” by applying what was learned this week.

SUGGESTIONS:

  1. Continue preparing to tell your story, your MEMOIR, to the rest of the Group over the next few weeks.
  2. Use the MY MEMOIR: PREPARING TO TELL MY STORY (Scope Timeline) worksheet to help you think through your story. You can download the SCOPE TIMELINE WORKSHEET. There is a longer version of the worksheet, that gives an extra step to dig deeper into your story, which can be downloaded at LONG VERSION WORKSHEET (RECOMMENDED). 

GOING DEEPER 

To gain the maximum impact of the available content for the Group semester we encourage everyone to engage the FULL WORKSHOP SEMESTER experience. You can REGISTER HERE. While this is not required, nor will the Group conversation questions require deeper background from the WORKSHOP, it is an amazing and life-changing option for everyone.

PRAYER

Write down the prayer requests of those in your Group so you can be standing with them in faith for their answers. Also, be vulnerable about your requests, inviting the Group to walk with you through trials, challenges and desires. As the weeks ensue you will find much to celebrate together about in answered prayer. 

Patrick NorrisComment