Created by Paulist Father James M. DiLuzio from LUKE LIVE! See http://www.Lukelive.com
1.Observe a moment of Silence. Collect your feeling responses to the passage. For example, you may feel peaceful, sad, intrigued or uneasy. If you need help identifying your feelings, CONSULT the FEELING BELOW. Place no judgment on your feelings. Simply let yourself “be.”
2. Have each participant in your group share (or write in your personal journal) one or more genuine Feeling words. (NO insights or discussion at this juncture.)[1] Afterwards—after each person has shared a feeling word or two– observe another moment of silence.
3. What aspects of your own life do you associate with the biblical story and the feelings that it evoked? After you clarify that for yourself, invite each person in your group to share his / her associations.
4. After you share your associations, you are now ready to ask “What does this scripture passage mean to you?” OR “What do you think it is supposed to mean, if anything?”
5. What insights or questions about the passage have not yet been addressed? Invite everyone to offer their thoughts or questions. (NOTE: Some questions may be answered in my Commentary Segments in this or the subsequent Luke Live! Session on YOUTUBE.)
6. What stories or events in other faith traditions, literature or world events are similar or in contrast to this segment of Luke’s Gospel? Discuss. Conclude by emphasizing the similarities.
7. Is there a song that comes to mind after engaging in the segment or from your meditation or discussion? Do the thoughts or feeling evoked in the song match or oppose something in the Scripture? Reflect / Journal / Discuss.
8. Is there something from the passage or the discussion you can incorporate into your daily life right now? Has the passage inspired a new or renewed goal? OR do you need to continue to think, pray, process, or wrestle with all that you’ve heard and the feelings evoked? Each person should follow up as needed.
Would you like a PDF copy of these Questions to print out for Small Groups or Personal Reflection? Write to jamesdiluzio@hotmail.com I’ll be happy to send it to you God bless!
[1] To gauge whether you are claiming a “feeling” in opposed to “a thought,” place your word or words in the phrase “I think” instead of “I feel.” If your word make sense in this context, it is not a genuine “feeling” word. For example, your initial response to a passage may be “I feel this is nonsense.” You actually are making a judgment, not expressing a feeling because your word (“nonsense”) makes more sense in the phrase “I think this is nonsense.” The appropriate “feeling’ words in this instance could be “uncomfortable,” “alienated,” “put off.” In that case, try to translate the religious language or context of the scripture in secular terms or find a secular equivalent and share that with your group. For example, “Miracles” becomes “Unexplainable coincidences.” Then share how you feel about “unexplainable coincidences” with words such as “grateful,” “puzzled,” “dismayed,” etc.
Feelings Vocabulary Chart
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