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#Post#: 3--------------------------------------------------
Topics and Format for Relational Nights
DIR By: crossroadsforchrist
Date: February 19, 2020, 7:33 am
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I am looking for feedback on topics and formats for relational
nights. What are some examples your chapter has used?
#Post#: 4--------------------------------------------------
Re: Topics and Format for Relational Nights
DIR By: lexi.h.new.haven
Date: February 19, 2020, 7:45 am
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-Testimonies
-Speed "Friend-shipping"
#Post#: 7--------------------------------------------------
Re: Topics and Format for Relational Nights
DIR By: Jlyn8460
Date: February 23, 2020, 10:14 am
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There have been times, especially when we started out, where
people would share a traditional testimony - often a conversion
style story. Although someone might share a traditional
testimony from time-to-time, we have migrated to these
approaches on relational nights:
Topic-Specific Life Experience: A member who has had a specific
experience with a the particular unit at hand shares their
experience with a facet of that topic area. For example when we
did "Culture of Life," a member that was pregnant talked on what
is like to be God's vessel for new life. When we did
"Discernment", our summer seminarian talked about how he ran
from God's call before surrendering. We are doing a unit on 10
commandments now and we have asked a member to give a talk on
his experience with reconciliation.
Collective Sharing: Rather than one person sharing multiple
events of their relationship with Christ, every person shares
one event. For example we had a relational night where everyone
shared how they were first taught to pray.
Awareness Exercises: About every 6 or 8 months we do some form
of awareness activity. Back in August we did step in / step out.
The entire group gathers silently in a circle. The leader will
name an identifier and all those who identify will step in. I
began with easy ones such as "lives in CT" eventually moving to
tougher topics such as "struggles to pay bills" etc. Take
thought in planning out your identifiers - ideally on the edge
of comfort zones. It should also go without saying not to choose
identifiers that are not against church teaching. Everyone
respectfully learned quite about about each other's lives that
evening.
#Post#: 13--------------------------------------------------
Re: Topics and Format for Relational Nights
DIR By: lexi.h.new.haven
Date: February 29, 2020, 7:00 am
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John, Thank you for providing this feedback! This is so helpful!
You are right, testimony is a great topic for a relational
night, and it truly can branch into more than a typical
testimony. I liked how you mentioned the seminarian giving his
testimony to responding to God's Call. Discernment is a theme I
have not thought about before, but it is a really great idea!
I really like that awareness activity you mentioned, it sounds
like a great way to learn a lot about the group. I may reach out
to you to learn more about the questions you asked.
Thank you!
Lexi
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