For a comprehensive guide in facilitating spiritual care groups, I recommend:
(1) Working with Groups on Spiritual Themes: Structured Exercises in Healing (by Hopkins, Kelley & Bentley)
(2) A Guide to Leading Spirituality Support Groups in Behavioral Health Care Settings (created by Rabbi Elisa Goldberg).
Below is a guide for each spiritual care group session that I lead, which is structured around a story. Feel free to use or adapt the guide in your particular context. For a description of why I value a holistic and inclusive approach to spiritual care groups, click on this link.
I utilize Godly Play (aka Spirit Play) storytelling method to share wisdom stories as a way to invite participants to reflect about their lived experience. Influenced by the Montessori-based approach to learning, Jerome Berryman (the founder of the Godly Play storytelling modality) valued the participants' capacity to articulate their inner wisdom and insight into the story. As opposed to pouring in knowledge, the pedagogical approach is to draw out the inner wisdom and insight that is already in each participant. The Godly Play storyteller's role is to support the participant's work of articulating insights and making connections - the mirroring of one's inner life into the story. The story box (which contains materials and representations) enables the listener to connect with the story in a tangible way.
Mythologies with spiritual themes are fabulous tools for participants to reflect about their inner lives and struggles. Under "PDF & Video Resources" below are some of the mythologies from different cultures that I have utilized in my Spiritual Care Groups. These are stories about transformation: the human journey from darkness to light, from death to resurrection, from being lost to being found, from disorientation to some clarity, from chaos to stillness, from dis-ease towards healing. Here are some articles on the science of storytelling:
Godly Play Materials
When leading spiritual care groups in BH, Presbyterian Hospital chaplains may use the Godly Play materials in my office.
Godly Play materials (Parable of the Leaven, the Great Pearl, the Good Samaritan, the Good Shepherd, the Sower, the Mustard Seed, the Deep Well) may be purchased from the Godly Play website. For the rest of the other stories, I recommend you create your own Godly/Spirit Play materials (these stories include: Brother Bear, Warrior & the Monk, The Fish Searching the Ocean, Punchinello, The Cracked Jar, Calming the Stormy Sea, Rowing into the Stormy Sea, the Butter & the Milk, and Dragon & the Healer).
(1) Working with Groups on Spiritual Themes: Structured Exercises in Healing (by Hopkins, Kelley & Bentley)
(2) A Guide to Leading Spirituality Support Groups in Behavioral Health Care Settings (created by Rabbi Elisa Goldberg).
Below is a guide for each spiritual care group session that I lead, which is structured around a story. Feel free to use or adapt the guide in your particular context. For a description of why I value a holistic and inclusive approach to spiritual care groups, click on this link.
I utilize Godly Play (aka Spirit Play) storytelling method to share wisdom stories as a way to invite participants to reflect about their lived experience. Influenced by the Montessori-based approach to learning, Jerome Berryman (the founder of the Godly Play storytelling modality) valued the participants' capacity to articulate their inner wisdom and insight into the story. As opposed to pouring in knowledge, the pedagogical approach is to draw out the inner wisdom and insight that is already in each participant. The Godly Play storyteller's role is to support the participant's work of articulating insights and making connections - the mirroring of one's inner life into the story. The story box (which contains materials and representations) enables the listener to connect with the story in a tangible way.
Mythologies with spiritual themes are fabulous tools for participants to reflect about their inner lives and struggles. Under "PDF & Video Resources" below are some of the mythologies from different cultures that I have utilized in my Spiritual Care Groups. These are stories about transformation: the human journey from darkness to light, from death to resurrection, from being lost to being found, from disorientation to some clarity, from chaos to stillness, from dis-ease towards healing. Here are some articles on the science of storytelling:
- The Science Behind The Art Of Storytelling
- How Stories Connect & Persuade Us: Unleashing the Brain Power of Narrative
- The Science of Storytelling: What Listening to a Story Does to Our Brains
- Narrative Medicine & Rita Charon
Godly Play Materials
When leading spiritual care groups in BH, Presbyterian Hospital chaplains may use the Godly Play materials in my office.
Godly Play materials (Parable of the Leaven, the Great Pearl, the Good Samaritan, the Good Shepherd, the Sower, the Mustard Seed, the Deep Well) may be purchased from the Godly Play website. For the rest of the other stories, I recommend you create your own Godly/Spirit Play materials (these stories include: Brother Bear, Warrior & the Monk, The Fish Searching the Ocean, Punchinello, The Cracked Jar, Calming the Stormy Sea, Rowing into the Stormy Sea, the Butter & the Milk, and Dragon & the Healer).
PDF & Video Resources
Spiritual Care facilitators in whatever context are welcome to use the resource materials attached here (in PDF). This page is a work in progress, and I am slowly posting videos of me telling the story (specifically, non-parable ones) to model for facilitators how I tell the story using Godly Play / Spirit Play method.
____________
Script for Introducing the Session: Please adapt the script for your particular context.
Script for Introducing the Wisdom Story: Please adapt the script for your particular context.
Supplemental Worksheets: Feel free to use any worksheet that might help deepen or facilitate further reflection & conversation to the stories or themes below.
WEEK 1: Our Search for Healing
1. Brother Bear (Alaskan-Russian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
2. The Warrior and the Monk (East Asian; Buddhist) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 2: Our Search for Meaning
3. The Fish Searching for the Ocean (South/Central Asia; Sufi-Buddhist) VIDEO; Leader's Guide - Short, Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2
4. The Parable of the Great Pearl / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 3: Our Spiritual Guides
5. Punchinello (North American) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
6. Parable of the Good Shepherd / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 4: Our Guide/Companion Towards Peace & Healing
7. Peace Be Still - Calming the Stormy Sea (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2
8. Parable of the Good Samaritan / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 5: On Transformation & Change
9. The Butter & The Milk (South Asian; Hindu) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participants Guide; Art
10. The Dragon & The Healer (An Integration of Various Mythologies) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 5: On Growing & Healing
11. The Parable of the Sower / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2, Collaborative Art
12. The Cracked Jar (South Asian; Hindu) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art, Collaborative Art
WEEK 7: The Tree of Life & the Bread of Life
13. The Parable of the Mustard Seed / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2
14. The Parable of the Leaven / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 8: On Facing Our Fears: The Labyrinth & The Sea of Life
15. The Labyrinth (North American) VIDEO; Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2, Art#3, Art#4, Art#5
16. Rowing Into the Stormy Sea (Pacific Islander) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2
WEEK 9: Sacred Drink to Quench Our Thirst
17. The Parable of the Deep Well (Rabbinical Parable) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
18. The Master and a Cup of Tea (East Asian; Buddhist) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 10: The Journey Through Chaos & Instability
19. The River of Life (North American) VIDEO; Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide; Art
20. The Center of the Storm (Buddhist) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
OTHERS
18. Maybe - The Old Farmer, his Horses and Sons (East Asian) Art & Reflection, Leader's Guide
19. Story of a Bird in a Golden Cage (South Asian) Art & Reflection, Leader's Guide
20. The Last Airbender: The Avatar (Pop Animation) Art & Reflection, Leader's Guide
Spiritual Care facilitators in whatever context are welcome to use the resource materials attached here (in PDF). This page is a work in progress, and I am slowly posting videos of me telling the story (specifically, non-parable ones) to model for facilitators how I tell the story using Godly Play / Spirit Play method.
____________
Script for Introducing the Session: Please adapt the script for your particular context.
Script for Introducing the Wisdom Story: Please adapt the script for your particular context.
Supplemental Worksheets: Feel free to use any worksheet that might help deepen or facilitate further reflection & conversation to the stories or themes below.
WEEK 1: Our Search for Healing
1. Brother Bear (Alaskan-Russian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
2. The Warrior and the Monk (East Asian; Buddhist) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 2: Our Search for Meaning
3. The Fish Searching for the Ocean (South/Central Asia; Sufi-Buddhist) VIDEO; Leader's Guide - Short, Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2
4. The Parable of the Great Pearl / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 3: Our Spiritual Guides
5. Punchinello (North American) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
6. Parable of the Good Shepherd / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 4: Our Guide/Companion Towards Peace & Healing
7. Peace Be Still - Calming the Stormy Sea (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2
8. Parable of the Good Samaritan / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 5: On Transformation & Change
9. The Butter & The Milk (South Asian; Hindu) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participants Guide; Art
10. The Dragon & The Healer (An Integration of Various Mythologies) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 5: On Growing & Healing
11. The Parable of the Sower / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2, Collaborative Art
12. The Cracked Jar (South Asian; Hindu) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art, Collaborative Art
WEEK 7: The Tree of Life & the Bread of Life
13. The Parable of the Mustard Seed / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2
14. The Parable of the Leaven / GP Guide (Middle East; Christian) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 8: On Facing Our Fears: The Labyrinth & The Sea of Life
15. The Labyrinth (North American) VIDEO; Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2, Art#3, Art#4, Art#5
16. Rowing Into the Stormy Sea (Pacific Islander) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art#1, Art#2
WEEK 9: Sacred Drink to Quench Our Thirst
17. The Parable of the Deep Well (Rabbinical Parable) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
18. The Master and a Cup of Tea (East Asian; Buddhist) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
WEEK 10: The Journey Through Chaos & Instability
19. The River of Life (North American) VIDEO; Leader's Guide, Participant's Guide; Art
20. The Center of the Storm (Buddhist) VIDEO; Leader's Guide; Participant's Guide; Art
OTHERS
18. Maybe - The Old Farmer, his Horses and Sons (East Asian) Art & Reflection, Leader's Guide
19. Story of a Bird in a Golden Cage (South Asian) Art & Reflection, Leader's Guide
20. The Last Airbender: The Avatar (Pop Animation) Art & Reflection, Leader's Guide
