Vibrant Faith Projects
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The Stories We Live 

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The Stories We Live: Finding God's Calling All Around Us
An Eight-Session Gathered Adult Faith Formation Program

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The Stories We Live reframes vocation through eight prepositions. I am called:
by God, to follow, as I am, from grief, for service, in suffering, through others, within God.

“We are called by God, who is the source of our callings. We are called to follow the way shown by Jesus and taken up by his disciples; this calling we share with each other. We are called as unique persons with a particular history and circumstance. We are called from the losses and grief we suffer over time, so that we can embrace life again. We are called to give our lives for others, not simply for our self-improvement or fulfillment. We are even called in our deepest suffering to carry out God’s purposes in mysterious ways. We are called through the people in our lives, because vocation takes root in community. And, finally, we are called together to live within God’s loving embrace, both now and in the life to come.” (Kathleen Cahalan)

This is an eight part program of 60-90 minute sessions designed around the content of the book, The Stories We Live. The sessions are designed for a large or small group gathering led by one or more facilitator(s) leading the sessions and using small groups for discussion. The program can be organized in a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly series. It can also be designed as retreat experience in a one-day or overnight timeframe. It is recommended that each person purchase a copy of The Stories We live by Kathleen Cahalan (Eerdmans, 2017). 

Session 1. Called by God in Multiple Ways
Session 2. Called to Be Followers of Christ
Session 3. Called as We Are 
Session 4. Called from People, Places, or Situation
Session 5. Called for Service and Work 
Session 6. Called through Each Other
Session 7. Called in Suffering
Session 8. Called by the God Within

Gathered Design Sessions

the_stories_we_live_-_adult_sessions.pdf
File Size: 859 kb
File Type: pdf
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the_stories_we_live_-_adult_sessions.docx
File Size: 233 kb
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The Stories We Live Book - Spanish Translation

the_stories_we_live_-_spanish_translation.pdf
File Size: 900 kb
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The Stories We Live: Finding God's Calling All Around Us
An Eight-Session Online Adult Faith Formation Program

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Each of the eight gathered sessions has been redesigned as an online program. The online sessions can be used as a self-directed experience or as a small group study - both using The Stories We Live as the primary resource. Use the button below to go to the home page for the online sessions. ​
Stories We Live ONLINE

The Stories We Live: Finding God's Calling All Around Us
Adolescent Faith Formation Program

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This adolescent faith formation program uses the book, The Stories Will Live, as the primary content for the eight sessions. The sessions do not follow the book chapter-by-chapter like the adult program, but both programs draw upon the same foundational content. The one hour activities are designed for a large group gathering led by one or more facilitator(s) leading the sessions and using small groups for discussion. Activities can be combined in a multi-hour program, full day program, and overnight and retreat program. 
 
Leaders should be familiar with the content in The Stories We live by Kathleen Cahalan (Eerdmans, 2017) to lead the sessions. All of the leaders will need a copy of The Stories We Live by Kathleen Cahalan (Eerdmans, 2017). Preparation and resources needed for each session are included with the session 
 
Activity 1. Discovering the Ways We Are Called
Activity 2. Calling Stories of People in the Bible 
Activity 3. Calling Stories of People Today
Activity 4. Called to be Followers of Christ
Activity 5. Discovering Your Calling as a Young Person 
Activity 6. Called by the God Within
[The PDF version of the program (below) includes resources for Activity 6 from Living Well: Prayer.]
the_stories_we_live_-_youth_version.docx
File Size: 197 kb
File Type: docx
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the_stories_we_live_-_youth_version.pdf
File Size: 855 kb
File Type: pdf
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The Stories We Live Retreat Experience

This retreat was a 2 hour experience, using content from The Stories We Live book and the Visual Faith "Calling" photos. It has three components: Called by God, Called As We Are, and Called to Follow Jesus. The files below include the retreat design, handout, and PowerPoint presentation with the videos embedded. (Note: the PowerPoint is 151MB and will take several minutes to download. 
Retreat Design.docx
File Size: 36 kb
File Type: docx
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Retreat Handout.docx
File Size: 36 kb
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Retreat PowerPoint (with movies).pptx
File Size: 151213 kb
File Type: pptx
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The Stories We Live - First United Methodist Church

First UMC conducted The Stories We Live program in September and October 2018. Their designs are slightly modified / adapted versions of the sessions above and provide additional ways to teach the sessions. 
The Stories We Live Session Designs from First UMC
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​The C3 Project and the Thriving Congregations Project are services of Vibrant Faith funded through two grants from the Lilly Endowment Inc.

Vibrant Faith: https://vibrantfaith.org

For questions about the Vibrant Faith Projects website contact John Roberto at jroberto@lifelongfaith.com. 
​
  • Home
  • Vibrant Faith @Home
    • Vibrant Faith @Home Activity Images
    • Intergenerational Programs
    • Families with Children
    • Just for Kids
    • Teens & Families
    • Young Adults
    • Adults & Couples
  • Visual Faith Project
    • Visual Faith Activities
  • All Called
    • Instruments of Calling Training
    • Instruments of Calling: Self-Guided
    • All Called Social Media Images
    • All Called Promo Videos
  • Thriving Congregations Project
    • Leadership Module
    • Relationship Module
    • Listening Module
    • Churches & Coaches
    • Thriving Conversations
    • Practicing Faith in New Media Environment
    • Thriving Congregations Characteristics
    • Innovative Churches
    • Innovation Design
  • C3 Project
    • Introduction to Calling
    • Transitions
    • Stories We Live
    • Stories We Live Online
    • Discerning Call
    • C3 Churches
    • Calling Resources