Examen 2: Choosing God

Introduction & Welcome (1 min.)

I. Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Grace: To open our ears and hearts to hear God communicating to us through the choices that we make.

Use Matthew 14:24-33 (or another appropriate passage) to begin the prayer. Ask each member to be particularly attentive to what they notice about the reading, what strikes them or what they can relate to. Emphasize the reading will help move the group into tonight’s focus.

Exercise: Read the passage slowly and prayerfully, possibly with instrumental music in the background.

II. Check-In (5 min.)

• What were some of your high and low points of the week?

III. Focus Exercise (40 min.)

Materials Needed: CLC journal booklets

Introduction

In this meeting, we will continue learning the 5-step Awareness Examen by experiencing steps 3 and 4. We’ll use tonight’s Scripture passage to help us understand the steps and discuss our own experiences of them.

Exercise: The Awareness Examen (steps 3-4)

Ask every member to recall the scriptural passage (Mt 14:24-33) that we just read. Invite members to pray with the passage and suggested questions below, which can be found in their journal booklets on page 46. Allow 10 minutes to pray in silence with some instrumental music in background. If helpful, you may read the passage and questions out loud before their personal prayer period.

Suggested questions to pray and share:

1. What has helped me walk towards Jesus, as Peter did on the water? Which events and people have helped me and given me life today?
2. What has made me sink into the water away from Jesus? What has drained me of my energy today?
3. Which of my choices today were inadequate responses to God’s love? Is there anything I might need God’s healing or forgiveness for today?

Note: The group has just experienced steps 3 and 4 of the Examen and briefly explain the main points of these steps

• Step 3: Look at two movements.
  • What has given me energy and has helped me “walk on water” towards Jesus throughout the day?
  • What has drained my energy and has made me “sink into the water” away from Jesus?
• Step 4: Look at my responses to God and possibly ask for forgiveness.

Ask if they have any questions (about any of the steps thus far or about the Examen in general).

Listening Deeper

• What has struck you as you have been listening to others share? Do you notice any patterns or commonalities?
• How have you been feeling throughout the meeting? Comfortable? Anxious? Curious?
• Is there anything you would like to share after listening to another person share?

IV. Moving Forward (5 min.)

• Wrap-Up: Thank members for their openness to continue learning the steps of the Examen. Note that next week will be the final meeting directly incorporating the Examen as they learn the final step.
• Action: Continue to pray the Examen, using steps 1-4 and paying particular attention to our choices. Possibly reflect on the following question: How can my daily routine incorporate an appreciation for the way God has presented Himself to me personally and communally?
• Announcements: Topic for next meeting and upcoming CLC events.

V. Closing Prayer (5 min.)

Create your own closing prayer or have a member bring one in to share. End with your favorite song.