Vancouver School of Theology
APPENDIX X: A MODEL OF THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION BASED ON LIFE EXPERIENCE 1. Choose an experience from your life that has meaning and significance for you.
2. Describe the significance of the experience using the following questions as a guide. You do not need to answer all of the questions. They will guide you through the process of your reflection. • • • • • •
What makes this experience significant? What questions came to mind as you engaged in this experience? What feelings did you experience? What did you fear? What was the resultant effect of this experience on you? Is there an image or word that describes this time for you?
3. Broaden your consideration of the experience. • • •
Have any authors, preachers, friends or colleagues referred to a similar experience? How have they responded? What does my culture say about this kind of experience?
4. Begin to theologize. • • • • • •
Are there biblical motifs in this experience? Where is God in this experience? What biblical text, story or image comes to mind? What does my religious tradition (theologians, authors, denomination, etc.) say about this experience? What are the implications for ministry? How does this experience affect my view of God or of what it means to be a believer?
Examples of theological concepts that you might be able to identify in your experience may include: Kingdom ity
Conscience
Church
Grace
Redemption
Faith
Justice
Ministry
Renewal
Prophesy Page 52
Honesty
Incarnation
Sin
Reconciliation
Peace
Love
Covenant
Compassion
Discernment
Obedience
Creation
Sacrifice
Hope
Repentance
Service
Revelation
Vocation
Solidar-
Hospitality
Vindication
Balance
Judgment
Joy
Freedom
Celebration
Images of God
September 2013