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GOD-3:  FINDING GOD
COMPILED BY RENEE KLEINMAN

GOALS

1.  To have the participants think about their reaction to the possibility of God Speaking to them
2.  To have the participants defince their views of God and whether or not they believe God exists
3.  To help the participants understand their own belief in God, of lack there of
4.  For the participants to learn how their image of God has changed from childhood to their early adult years

OBJECTIVES

1.  The participants will draw their childhood vision(s) of God
2.  The participants will answer a series of questions about their own personal belief of God

 

TIME TABLE

0:00-0:15    Introduction
0:15-0:20    Break into Groups
0:20-0:45    Discussion
0:45-0:50    Reconvene
0:50-1:00    Wrap-up

MATERIALS

Blank paper (1 per person)
Pencils (1 per person)
Worksheet-"My Attitudes, Feelings and Beliefs" (1 per person)

PROCEDURE

0:00-0:15    Introduction

1.    The group leader will instruct the participants to do the following:
        a.    Clap hands three times
        b.    Stand Up
        c.    Turn in a full circle
        d.    Place hand on head
        e.    Place hand over the heart
        f.    Recite the Shema

***The group should be quiet, yet do not instruct them to be silent and observe how long it takes for the participants to concentrate silently.***

2.    Following the Shema, the participants will sit down

3.    The group leader will ask the following questions:
        a.    What did you think of the voice?
        b.    Why did you think of the voice?
        c.    Did you at anytime feel this was a voice of God?
        d.    What if this voice was God's voice?

5.    The group will be broken up into discussion groups

0:15-0:20    Break into Groups
There should be no more than 12 people in a group

0:20-0:45    Discussion
1.    Distribute paper and pencil
2.    The groupl eader will instruct the participants to draw their childhood visions of God (pictures or words)
3.    Following, the participants will turn the paper over and draw their young adult visions of God (pictures or words)
4.    Discuss the pictures
        a.    Is there a difference in your images of God?
        b.    Why has it changed? (education, rebellion...)
        c.    Are you comfortable with the changes, or lack there of?
        d.    Do you feel confident in your present day image of God?
5.    Distribute the "My Attitudes, Feelings, Beliefs" sheet and give the participants time to fill it out
6.    What do these questions conclude?
        a.    Your belief in God, or lack there of
        b.    Your confusion about God
7.    Discuss the participants views of God, based on the sheet.  Do they have the same or different views.  Encourage open discussion.

0:45-0:50    Reconvene

0:50-1:00    Wrap up
It is often difficult for people to find and establish their belief in God.  In the early adult stages of development, this is just one hill to get over.  Just remember any confusion or frustrations that develop from "finding God" are normal and positive.

MY ATTITUDES, FEELINGS, BELIEFS

NOTE:    This is not a test.  This is a series of questions designed to help you sort out your own beliefs of God.  There are no "correct" answers.

Mark True (T), False (F), or don't know (?) in each blank

1.    I believe in God    _________

2.    I think I believe in God, but I'm not sure  _________

3.    I do not think God exists    __________

4.    Humankind made up the idea of God    _________

5.    In order to be a good Jew, one should believe in God     __________

6.    I wish I could believe in God    _________

7.    I need God    _________

8.    I doubt God    __________

Fill in the Blank

1.     I feel close to God when...

 

2.    I pray to God when...

 

3.    I believe/disbelieve in God when...

 

4.    I thank God when...

 

5.    I doubt God when...

 

6.    I speak to God through...