Introspective Activity for Women’s Group
This is a reflective activity for women’s groups who want to bond and share their life journeys with one another. Because the activity is a high emotional risk, it is designed for women who somewhat know one another or have spent some time together throughout the day. For example, if you use this women’s group activity for a training class, do not use it at the beginning. Use it after lunch or toward the end of the fellowship or learning experience.
This is a perfect activity for a women’s group training to become mentors.
First, you will need to download and print the letter template for this activity.
Think of a positive adult that affected your teen (or teen) years in a constructive way.
It could have been an encouraging family member, pastor’s wife, church member, teacher, neighbor, or community person.
Set up the activity for the women’s group
I. Ask the women to:
Reflect on your teen years.
Think of what it felt like to be a teenager.
How did it feel?
What sights did you see?
What smells do you recall?
Explain the reflection experience:
II. Say something like:
“You are going to write a letter to the person that afforded you the positive, learning, and growing opportunity.”
III. Pass out the letter template.
III. Explain:
“When I say ‘Go’, begin writing and filling in the blanks of the letter.” You will not have much time; simply write from your heart.”
Note: participants will have about 3 minutes to think of the person and 5 minutes to write their letters.
- After 3 minutes have elapsed, say “You have two minutes remaining”.
- To avoid jarring the women, offer a final prompt before you close the activity and say “I will give you 10 seconds to complete your sentence….now, time is up.”
- Ask “How did that feel”?
- Say “I am going to ask for a volunteer to read their letter”. Allow 3-4 readers depending on how much time you have. DO NOT RUSH the process. Trust the silence that may ensue.
- Listen for themes that will link to the purpose of your training class. *Record these themes on the whiteboard or chart paper, if possible.
- For example, if your training topic is mentoring, you could say, “This is what we want to impart to the young women we mentor… a chance to [ex. “gain confidence”, “speak publicly”], etc. Reference whatever was shared during the debrief of their letters.
- Thank participants for sharing a part of themselves.
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Scriptures you can tie to mentoring and influence:
Proverbs 27:17: Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Titus 2:3-4: Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
Philippians 4:9: The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Hebrews 13:7: Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
2 Thessalonians 3:9: We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow.
Titus 2:7-8: In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
Women’s groups are a great way to connect with other Christian women.
Activities for these groups can be fun, educational, and inspiring. Because of my personality, I typically lean toward playful activities, but this one is a bit more pensive. Handle it with care.
Some people may become emotional as they read their letters aloud. It is of the UTMOST IMPORTANCE that you allow them to feel what they feel. Give them their moment.
Also, some women have told me they wanted to mail their letters to the women they wrote about. I’ve never had anyone follow up with me to confirm they did, but the very fact they thought of it confirms this is a very moving and impactful experience for the women.
As you know, ordinarily, activities for women’s groups take many shapes. They can be anything from Bible studies to group outings. It doesn’t matter as long as the activity meets your intended goal.
With the right activities, you can create an atmosphere of encouragement and support for all the women involved. I pray this activity blesses your ministry and brings the ladies a bit closer together.