Small Group Resources
Spirit Conversations
Introduction
This spirit conversation, designed to take about 15 minutes for 8 people, allows participants to discover the role of symbols in their lives. In structure, it begins by reminding participants of the role of language as a system of symbols. It then poses a series of questions that allow participant to delve deeper into the role of symbols in their lives. Since this conversation is generally held in a religious context, it is easy to consider religious symbols.Resources
The Bible and three pieces of paper, each with a single large letter: C A TPart 1 - Context
(Note to the leader: This section can be read to provide a context for the participants. Alternatively, the leader may introduce the topic in any other way that seems appropriate. Also, everything printed in italics is an instruction or hint to the readerand should not be read to the participants.)John 1:1 (RSV) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
What a provocative statement on the power of the Word. One of the most distinctive traits of humans is our ability to use words.Language, in both written and verbal form, is an extensive symbol set that we humans seem to easily grasp and use. While other species clearly understand a few words, we think we humans are the only species that can both speak and understand words. We seem to crave speaking and hearing.
(Hold up the first letter, "C".) We can not only speak but we have a system of written symbols that can represent sounds. Remember in elementary school when our teacher would show us letters and we would make the corresponding sound? (Make the "C" sound. Then hold up the "A" and make the corresponding sound. Finally, hold up the "T" and make the "T" sound.) What a magical invention: Symbols for sounds which can be assembled to make words.
Extending the use of language symbols, we can combine words in an infinite variety of ways to create more complex ideas with sentences, that is, word symbols can create advanced concepts. "See Dick run." Combining sentences together we can create stories with ever more complex ideas.
Listen to this story: II Samuel 12:1-4 (RSV) "And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him, and he said to him, 'There were two men in a certain city, but one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds; but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children; it used to eat of his morsel, and drink from his cup, and lie in his bosom, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the wayfarer who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb, and prepared it for the man who had come to him.'"
This story, one of the few parables in the Old Testament, is completely symbolic at yet another level. Not only do we hear words, sentences, and a story, but the story itself is symbolic of David's relationship with Uriah and Bathsheba.
Part 2 - Objective Questions
Language, written and spoken, provide us with a complex and exquisitely useful system of symbols. Can you think of other symbols, simple or complex, that we commonly encounter?The leader should now give every participant a chance to name a symbol. This question is usually easy but if somebody is unable to name a symbol, then move naturally to the next person. Here is a list of symbols that are commonly named:
- money
- numbers - mathematics
- pictures, paintings
- sculptures
- dance
- written music
- played music?
- flags
- road signs, painted lines, traffic signals
- countries, states, counties and other political divisions
- leadership positions
- constitutions, agreements, contracts, laws
- jewelry
- religious symbols: cross, star of David, star and crescent
Part 3 - Interpretive questions
Several questions are posed here but generally there is time for only one so pick the most appropriate question for the participants.Symbols can sometime arouse an intense emotional response with us. For example, we can be moved to tears by the sight of our flag and hearing the Star Spangled Banner. Other symbols can bring great sadness or even rage. Can you think of a time a symbol raise a deep emotional response within you?
Sometimes symbols are used inappropriately. Do you remember a time when a symbol was used in a way that you felt was wrong.
The leader should allow each person to respond spontaneously. Often the responses can be about religious symbols but, if the leader wants the conversation to move in a specifically religious direction, change the question above to ask for consideration of religious symbols.
Part 4 - Reflective questions
Several questions are posed here but generally there is time for only one so pick the most appropriate question for the participants.Have you even seen or heard about someone who responded inappropriately to a symbol?
Can you think of a time when someone was unable to distinguish a symbol for the object it represented?