Small Group Conversations

Engaging the Past - Activity (PDF) 

Small groups engage the congregation’s past through conversational sharing. The groups are either existing small groups or small groups created specifically for this activity. 

Time needed for activity

1 - 2 hours

Group size

any number of current members and regular visitors

Steps for Activity 

  1. Use either (1) the church’s existing groups: small group ministry, Sunday school classes, adult education groups, or ministry teams or (2) create an opportunity for people to sign up for groups specially gathered for this activity. 
  2. Designate a facilitator for each group. 
  3. Explain that in the small groups participants will be able to share memories and testimonials, respond to the facilitator’s questions listed below, and/or participate in times of praise, thanksgiving, confession, and lament as appropriate.
  4. Facilitate this small-group activity on one evening for all the groups, or allow each group to determine its own schedule within a specific time frame.

Facilitator’s Questions

Allow time for discussion around some questions like these:

  1. What values/virtues/passions do you see in your past that you can carry into the future?
  2. Which people or groups from your past do you need to honor?
  3. What mistakes, misuses of power, and conflicts should you acknowledge and/or confess together?
  4. With whom do you need to reconcile?*
  5. What hardships do you need to grieve or lament?*
  6. What do you need to thank God for?
  7. What are some key moments when you saw the Holy Spirit lead you into something you wouldn't have been able to do yourself?
  8. How has your community been transformed in big or little ways because of God’s work in and through you? 

*If this question leads to a sense that there is work to be done in the areas of reconciliation and/or healing, then the group should feel free to seek assistance from Pastor Church Resources.