Story Reflection Guide
Read the Guide below
or download it as a PDF here
Reflecting on Just Stories
The stories on the Just Stories website are a collection of initiatives, responses to need, and ‘ways of being’ for the Presbyterian whānau (and beyond) in Aotearoa New Zealand as they put ‘justice into action’ in their contexts and communities.
These stories are not intended to be ‘how to’ manuals nor are they intended to be duplicated in their entirety. Our hope is that they spark ideas, conversation and imagination as you work to put justice into action in your context and community.
What follows are some ideas for how you might reflect on the stories that have caught your attention – either on your own or, even better, with a gathered group.
Once you’ve read a story (or stories) that you’ve found interesting, you could work your way through these questions:
Initial responses:
What is my initial reaction to this story?
What has caught my attention?
What in the story inspires and energises me?
What do I find myself challenged by or reacting against?
Who else is involved in the story? e.g. social service providers, community organisations, local Council, other churches or faith-based organisations, etc
What was needed for the story to happen? e.g. people, finances, mentors, prayer support, etc
Going a bit deeper:
In what ways do I or our group/organisation share the same values or vision as the person/people in the story?
What resources or assets do I/we want to share with the community that I/we are part of?
Ending reflection:
What ideas or thoughts or questions for future action am I/we sitting with after reflecting on this story?