My Inner Journey

Introduction & Welcome (1 min.)

I. Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Grace: To open ourselves to knowing and living out that at our deepest, truest core, we are God’s Beloved

Just Being (with God and myself)

After prayerfully reading the following prompt (or something similar of your own), ask for the grace above and invite everyone to just “be” in silence for a few minutes.

“Prayer is an effective path to help us journey towards our truest selves. This journey is more about creating space for a ‘deeper recognition of what is already there.’ For something hidden to be awakened, to unfold. That ‘something’ is the hidden pearl of great price, our deepest desire, our true-self before God.

Prayer is letting God be God. When we enter prayer, we are entering a world that we have little or no control over. Prayer involves the willingness to be present with what is. We are invited to let-go, for we do not really know who we are, or what prayer is, or what will happen during prayer. When we pray, we are entering a ‘cloud of unknowing,’ the Mystery of God within. All we have to ‘do’ is show up and let whatever happens happen. God is already waiting…loving…inviting…”

II. Check-In (5 min.)

Invite members to share some of the high and low points of the week. This check-in is meant to ease the group into reconnecting and reflecting on their experiences and it should be brief.

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

III. Focus Exercise (40 min.)

Materials Needed: CLC supply box (CLC journal booklets, papers, pens, etc.). What are you looking for?”… “Whom are you looking for? and The Inner Journey handouts (All handouts are in the CLC Journal booklets)

Introduction

We will be looking deeper at the question “Who am I?” by considering how God fundamentally sees and identifies us. To help us begin, we’ll start by looking at Jesus' first and last question in the gospel of John. Then, we’ll use one model of answering the question “Who am I?” to explore our lives and who we are in God’s eyes.

Exercise: My Inner Journey

Ask: What were Jesus' first and last question in the Gospel of John? (hint: Jn 1:38 for the first question and Jn 20:15 for the last question).

Comment on the passages: Jesus’ first and last questions in John’s Gospel (“What are you looking for?” and “Whom are you looking for?”) uncover our fundamental quest. We are all on a spiritual journey: a journey to become more fully alive, the person we are meant to be; a pilgrimage of answering our callings in life, to fulfill our meaning and purpose. This is the journey within, from our head (who we think we should be) to our heart (who we truly are). Undertaking this journey, to the “TRUTH” of who we are, is like unwrapping a package with three layers: Facts, Choices, Truth.

Discuss: Go over the "The Inner Journey” Handout with members together, which can be found in their journal booklets. Maybe ask them to take turns reading parts. Ask if they have any questions about what the handout is saying. Ask them how they feel about this way of understanding themselves. Do they like/dislike it? Why/why not?

Pray: invite them to fill out their own “inner journey” circle.

Sharing

Invite members to share what they included in their “inner journey” circle* with the following questions.

*Note: If members have any strong objections to the circle model, explain that this is just an exercise. They do not have to agree with the model but are being asked to consider their life through this particular lens for the moment. If they still feel uncomfortable completing it, invite them to modify their circle however they would like.

1. What are some of the things you included in the “Facts” and “Choices” layers of your circle?
2. How did you feel naming these things as “facts” and “choices”? Was it easy? Difficult? Did you struggle with the idea that these things are “facts” or “choices” according to the handout’s description?
3. Have there been times in your life when you identified yourself by the “facts” and “choices” of your life (whether they be things you like or dislike about your life)? Explain.
4. How do you feel about the center of the circle, that the “Truth” of ourselves is ultimately that we are God’s beloved (that the “facts” and “choices” of our lives are a part of us…but NOT who we most truly are)?
5. How would you say you most fundamentally identify “you” right now according to this model? By your “facts”? “choices”? “truth”? A combination thereof?

Listening Deeper

Suggested questions to deepen awareness of inner movements and further conversation

• 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 and participation.
• Action: Spend a prayer period in silence, just allowing yourself to be with God. Ask God for the grace to see yourself as God sees you. Ask God to show you who you truly are.
• Announcements:
  • Topic for next meeting and upcoming CLC events
  • Ask members to BRING BACK their BOXES the next meeting

V. Closing Prayer (5 min.)