Some starters for a listening group, in the context of a house or prayer group, or for a study group for preachers and worship leaders. In a small group engage in these exercises, not as a discussion group, but as a listening group as before. Each person will need a pen and scrap paper for jotting down responses.

Reflecting on our own images and language around God
(There may be in these exercises material for 2 or 3 meetings.)

Part 1 – Raise the questions:

• When I approach God in prayer, how is God looking at me?

• How do I believe God sees me – is it with love, anger, disappointment, hope delight, disapproval, sadness, intimacy, frustration, or …?
• How do I feel or react to this?
• What might be an expression on the face of God?

• Allow 10 minutes quiet to reflect.
• Listen in turn to each others’ experience without comment.
• Ensure a short pause between each contribution as respect for the offering.

Part 2 – Raise the following questions, through a handout sheet, 
              allowing no more than 15 minutes to reflect and respond.

• In prayer I tend to address God as …?
• For me God is …?
• I find it hard to believe in God when …?
• I feel most in touch with God when …?
• I sense God in the everyday when …?
• I sense the absence of God when …?
• Time to reflect, listen and contribute without comment.

Share 10 minutes or so silent reflection on all that has been shared.

• Bring to the group three photographs, pictures, newspaper cuttings or similar 
  that speak in some way to you of God.
• Raise the questions:
• How does the pictorial image speak of God?
• What does the picture put you in touch with?
• How does the picture help or question your understanding of God?

• Share ten minutes or so silent reflection on all that has been shared.

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