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Sad (or stressed)
Angry
Frustrated
Excited
Happy
Anxious
Thankful
The "Safe Hat" is a tool we use in house church gatherings to facilitate people sharing what is going on in their lives. We believe God is constantly reaching, teaching, leading, and pointing things out to us. We all need some encouragement in sharing these these experiences in order to stimulate one another to "love and good deeds." (Heb. 10:24-25)
How it works is we "pass the hat" from person to person. While passing the Safe Hat around we sing a short chorus that says,
God has something to say to you
God has something to say
Listen, listen, pay close attention
God has something to say.God speaks to us in many different kinds of ways. We just need to "listen, listen, and pay close attention" to be able to hear what He is trying to say to us.
We keep singing the chorus until someone places the cap on their head (like Mark is doing above!) and then immediately stop singing to hear how God is working in that person's life.
The person with the cap on his head is now SAFE and can freely share what is on their heart by choosing one of the safe hat words to begin...
I am sad...
I am angry...
I am frustrated...
I am excited about... etc.
After the person is through sharing, he/she can choose one of three responses from those listening:
1) I just wanted you to hear what God is doing in my life
2) I would really like for you to pray with me about this
3) I need you to "listen to God" first before saying anything
The group then will share appropriate Scripture verses/passages, words of encouragement, hugs, or any number of other appropriate responses back to the person who has just shared.
Most of the time #2 is what is asked for and we spend the needed time praying for the situation.
This tool has worked very well in our gatherings and has proven to be a good way to get people to open up and share. It has also helped unite us in more in the common bond we have in Christ Jesus.
Any questions? Feel free to share/ask in the comments below.
2 comments:
This is very creative. Sounds very effective.
Tim,
It works well for us. Give it a try!
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