Life Lines
A Leader's Guide to the book by Forrest Church

By Nancy Palmer Jones

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Theme and Description

This study guide acts as a companion to Forrest Church’s 1996 book, Life Lines: Holding On (and Letting Go). Using both the book and the guide, participants search for answers to some of life’s deepest questions. Each session offers 8-11 exercises to choose from which focus participants’ thoughts and feelings on the topic of the themes raised in Church’s books. Examples include quiet, blame, despair, connection to God, connection to others.

Goals for Participants

To share their thoughts and feelings on questions about life, death, suffering, God, and so on;
To develop skills of listening actively to other participants’ stories, thoughts, and feelings;
To come closer to having personal answers to and experiences of some of life’s deepest, most fundamental questions.

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Age Range

Adult

Size of Group

6-12 ideal

Space Requirements

A comfortable room, with space for groups of twos or threes.

Number and Length of Sessions

Flexible: 2, 4, 8, or more sessions
Length: 1-1/2 to 2 hours

Leader Training

No special training; good group facilitation skills required.

Leader Preparation

Average time. Leaders should read Forrest Church’s book, the Leader’s Guide, and choose which activities would work best with their group.

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Strengths

The sessions provide options, allowing groups to choose how they want to approach the topics.
Deepens feelings of community among participants through active listening and sharing.
Could be used successfully as a focus for small group ministry/covenant groups.
Very adaptable for between two and eight meetings.
Includes a variety of activities.

Limitations

This is an excellent study guide. By its nature, it is tied to one book, which may or may not appeal to everyone.

Adaptability

This guide is very adaptable, designed to be adapted to the needs and concerns of the group. involved. The number of sessions, the length of sessions, and the content of sessions are all flexible.

Unitarian Universalist Values

This program provides a meaningful opportunity for participants to examine some of the “Big Questions” of life and religion in a Unitarian Universalist context.

Reviewed on June 30, 2004

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100