Learning Activities

Small group discussion guide: Life in the slow lane

Synopsis: The author of Sustaining Simplicity wrestles with the pace and complexity of her life. This guide for a 90-minute small group session offers assistance to participants who want to slow the pace of their lives.

Outcomes

• Participants assess the relative pace of their lifestyles.
• Participants select one important element of their busy lives to consider changing.

Materials

Participants’ own day planners, personal digital assistants or family calendars
Copies of Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 or Bibles (one per participant)
Writing paper and pens or pencils for each participant

Activities

1. Begin the small group time with the reading of Ecclesiastes 3:1-9.  (10 minutes)
2. Direct participants to assess the present pace of their lifestyles by responding in writing to the following prompts:   (20 minutes)

• Record the moments or events in your monthly schedule where “quality family time” takes place, and the amount of time you spent on that activity.
• Give a name to each of the places on your calendar where a schedule conflict exists.
• Note a time in your schedule when you have been (or will be) satisfied with the way you’re living your life.
• Name at least three disappointing or exasperating times in your schedule.

3. Ask participants to share with the whole group what they have written.  (20 minutes)
4. Direct participants to pick one part of their monthly schedule that they can reasonably change between this moment and the next meeting of this group. In pairs, they think about ways to slow down, relax, or otherwise change their pace of life.  (20 minutes)
5. In the large group, talk together about the insights gained and participants’ ability to change one small part of their lives.  (15 minutes)

Closing prayer