1.  Encourage an understanding of owning and grounding

In this video “Talking peacefully about faith things” Jonathan discusses what ‘owning’ and ‘grounding’ mean, and how participants can use them to create a place people want to come back to each week.
Remember that all the SFC Short Course conversations are part of ongoing, centuries-old conversations about these topics. If you disagree with the content of a video, then use this study series to consider why, and to add your voice to the process of making meaning of faith, the Jesus story and the Christian church.
Part of owning and grounding is understanding that we all make meaning as we read/view/live. Every person is a meaning-maker. See Dr Peter Kline’s amazingly clear and engaging explanation of this "What are hermeneutics?". This short video is so clear that kids will enjoy it as well…he mentions Greek mythology!

2.  Plan for group processes that work for everyone

Using quiet thinking: Sometimes it's easy to let the chatty, quick talkers do the work, but it can also be very difficult for a quiet, careful thinker to get a word in! Well, take some time to look at how to use “Think: Pair: Share” - a simple processes to include everyone no matter what age, confidence, experience level. No degree necessary!

Prepping at home: There are plenty of ideas about using the videos on the How to use the SFC Short Courses page – for example: 
Try a “flipped classroom” approach.  Ask everyone to watch the video in their own time at home. Then come together just for discussion. This is a great way to proceed if you’re practicing physical distancing, or just need to fit the most into your day! People can watch, think, read the transcript and mull over the content, then ‘Zoom’ into a conversation all ready to share ideas.
Using transcripts: Transcripts are available on the SFC Short Course page: https://www.stfran.qld.edu.au/whataresfcsc/ Use the transcripts to focus attention. For instance, while watching the video, people can use the transcript handout to…
• Highlight new ideas 
• Circle “aha” moments 
• Underline ideas you’ve heard before 
• * Put an asterisk next to ideas that puzzle you. 
This allows you to meet at a venue that does not require a screen! Consider meeting at the pub, in a coffee shop or simply streamline your time by getting straight into the questions.  

3. End with a “practice”, or a physical, creative expression of your time together

Communicating new learning to others is a great way for it to stick in our heads.
Having something to show for it at the end is a great way to enthuse and inspire the wider parish into other faith formation activities. (Are we pushing the journey metaphor by saying this is  like bringing home a souvenir?).
Some ideas:
• Parishes: consider them your Advent audience. Host a blog and rotate contributions each week. Use easy questions like: What did your group do? or What did you get out of it?
• Keep a group journal where people can write their ideas each week, one person could write each week, in a different style.
• Make a graffiti wall for Advent. Your practice might be to summarise the week’s journey in a slogan (10 words or less) that gets added to the graffiti wall. This gives everyone who sees it a chance to ask questions about the meaning of the slogan, how you came up with it, the learning and stories that went into it.
• Host a notice board in the local shopping centre and add a banner for each session as part of your parish’s community awareness and outreach leading up to Christmas.
• Design a question that you’d like to ask someone about their experience of Advent, then each person can find someone to ask during the week.
• Create a group blog or Facebook page on which to post comments, ideas and photos of your thoughts in response to each conversation. Some groups start a friendly “homework post” which encourages every member to put up a photo that reminds them of their Advent journey. 
• Place an Advent tree (unadorned Christmas tree) somewhere and add significant symbols each week. The practice part of your group can be summarising the learning journey into a symbol for the tree. This is a way to engage in conversation about the symbols – how did you come up with that idea? What conversation or Bible story or experience sparked that symbol?

4 Allow for generations to learn together

Looking forward to something, being worried and excited at the same time is universal. Kids really get this dynamic, as they seem to spend a lot of time in the back seat asking, “Are we there yet?” What a wonderful way to get into the idea of Advent for all of us…travelling that journey with children. Here are a few suggestions to make this intergenerational journey a fun one for all
Make a routine each time you meet with some of the following:
• Light advent candles - big responsibility for young players!
• Make the first 5 minutes particularly fun, kids and teens will nag to be on time if there’s something to miss out on.
• Start on time and finish on time.
• Include prayer every time you meet, using different types/styles of prayer each time will keep everyone interested in the possibilities of prayer - check out a couple of great ideas Prayer Spaces on Pinterest and 9 Prayer Station ideas for all ages
• Make special food together for the gathering
• Remember our special stories - use THINK-PAIR-SHARE as a low-key way for children and adults to build relationships and work on a story together.

5  Deliberately make memories as a group

• A group routine that includes a bit of fun is a classic way to create memories.
• Start Advent 2 weeks early – still have 4 study weeks, but include 2 events where your group looks outward e.g.: volunteer at a food van, cook together to prepare meals for your local food fridge, then deliver it together.
• Matthew 2:13-23 depicts Jesus fleeing to Egypt. Ask what the local refugee centre needs to top up their pantries and shop together and visit, or allocate items via email and visit together. You might arrange to meet one of the organisers there who can fill you in on the work they do.
• Discern the needs of your members – does anyone need some gardening done? Spend your time caring practically for your neighbour.
• Spend 5 minutes shaping a group response to share with the parish

Head back to the Pathways page to get started!