The Connections activity is very important. This is where participants relate the story to their own personal life experience. Even those who pass on sharing (which usually happens) they are probably considering connections internally.

This is the pattern for leading the Connections activity. Say:

In this story ____________________.

So the story invites us to consider a time we ____________________.

It is helpful to have a chart naming the connections displayed as a reminder to people as their turn comes to speak. It is not a problem if they make some connection with the story other than the ones you have presented. You may want to name this as a possibility.

Each story treated on this site will have a connections chart document with suggested connections. I print these on white card stock for display in the table pocket chart.

Some stories with multiple characters are good for a Connections round that invites participants to name the character with which they most identify.

A Circlekeeper always goes first in this activity (and does not pass). The story you or your co-Circlekeeper tells will both model a willingness to share life experience and provide time for others to think about their experience. It may also be of interest and/or inspiration to participants, but don’t worry about that. Be authentic and transparent in what you share, but don’t feel compelled to say anything you are not comfortable sharing.

Depending on your time, you may choose to group the connections together and let people choose which to address, or to take them one at a time in separate rounds.

Listen intently and avoid judgment. Sometimes things surface that are hard to hear. Remember the presence of the Spirit and the grace of God for all people. The memories may be difficult for the participants. Especially if hard things are shared, take time to tell the story one last time with those spoken and unspoken connections held in its embrace (See My Story in God’s Story activity).