Why this curriculum?
Soul Matters’ distinguishing characteristic is a focus on deep listening that helps us heal spiritual disconnection, but in a unique process. Soul Matters invites us to listen to each other deeply and with discipline. Deep listening is not passive, but requires effort and intentionality. Participants are invited to practice three distinct disciplines of deep listening during their meeting time:
- Hold still—the practice of offering inviting presence and witness
- Hold at bay—the practice of offering inviting presence and witness
- Hold up and hold out—the practice of responding with gratitude and noting meaningful connection.
Soul Matters invites us to experience the themes, not just analyze them. Spiritual analysis without spiritual practice leaves us unchanged. Spiritual exercises force us to come down from the lofty perch of analyzing life and instead invite us into the nitty gritty work of engaging our lives.
Soul Matters offers questions that walk with us, rather than quiz us. Soul Matters treats questions as tools for individual exploration and spiritual discernment. We are invited to choose a question that “hooks us” or seems to contain a personal message, then walk with that question for a couple of weeks before group. At group one does not answer the question but shares how the question led you to seeing your life differently.
Soul Matters offers us conversation partners throughout the entire month. Soul Matters’ packets are designed to give participants the experience of a month-long conversation with multiple conversation partners. Along with spiritual exercises and personal discernment questions, the packets contain extensive recommended reading, poetry, quotes and multimedia on the monthly theme.
Soul Matters small groups are part of a greater whole. They are part of a larger church-wide conversation and journey that the whole congregation is engaging in during the month. Our Family Ministry program uses Soul Matters, as do our ministers planning Sunday worship services.
How does it work?
At the outset each member receives a Participant Guide. Then 1-2 weeks prior to the first meeting in each month, participants receive a link to the Small Group Packet for that month’s theme. Participants are invited to select one of a dozen spiritual exercises and one of a dozen questions that speak to their life. Each session includes Centering, Check-in, Spiritual Exercises Reflection, “Your Question” Reflection, Check-out, and Closing Words. (If you are interested in seeing a sample, you can check out last year's small group packet on "Building Belonging".)