SandBoxBible Facilitator

SandBoxBible is built with 5 stones

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- Lectio Divina, a reflective reading from the 3rd century.

- Theophostic Prayer Principles, a Christian counseling method.

- SandPlay Therapy, a psycological therapy to help process trauma in sand.

- The Orality Movement, the telling of stories in any language.

- Understanding how to facilitate Logos becoming Rhema, hearing God speak.

 

Background:

Reflective Reading is a 3rd-century practice of Bible reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word. It does not treat Scripture as texts to be studied but as The Living Word.

 

The Bible uses two different Greek words to refer to the word of God. One is logos and the other is rhema. Understanding the meaning of these two words can help us know and experience scripture in a more meaningful way. In the Bible, logos are used to refer to the constant, written word of God, which we have recorded in the Bible.

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Rhema is the lesser-known Greek word used in the Bible for word, and refers to the instant, personal speaking of God to us. God wants to communicate with us not only through His written word but also through speaking directly to us in our particular situations. It’s by the rhema word that we can know God subjectively and experientially. Both logos and rhema are crucial to our Christian life, for God uses His logos Word to speak His rhema word to us.

 

Which Scripture Speaks About Rhema?

There are three scriptures that I would like to mention here. The first I find really important and has been recorded to us by Matthew 4:4, “He answered and said, it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema) that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (NIV). This word of God is rhema and we live by this word, not logos only. The implications are that if we just read the written word, logos, but do not wait for God to speak to us, we miss out on our daily bread to live on. It is when we remind God of the rhema words He gave us, that we start to see prayer being answered. John 6:63 and Ephesians 5:26 are also rhema and not logos.

 

STEPS FOR PRACTICAL APPLICATION IN THE BOX

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STEP 1: Facilitator:
Preparation includes reading the passage before the group gathers and find the

wooden pieces that will be used to represent the chosen bible passage.

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STEP 2: Build Relationship: Ask your group at arrival

- What are you thankful for this week (one or two things)?
- What are your struggles or needs for the week (one or two things)?
- How can we as a group pray for you and/or meet any of those needs this week?

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STEP 3: Reading / Listen with the group verse by verse:

As you read, place the chosen wooden figures in the sand to portray the story as you read it. Move the pieces as the story unfolds. If you can, include the group in this process.

Facilitator: Asks the group to ponder the historical story.

Once the story or parable is portrayed in the sand, think about what the story meant to the original audience. Discuss for a few minutes. It is simply putting yourself in the shoes of the story without changing it.

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STEP 4: The 3 questions

Facilitator asks the following questions while people think about it first.

1. What does this tell us (reveal) about God?
2. What does this tell us (reveal) about humans?
3. What does this tell us (reveal) about God’s plan?

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KEY STEP 5  Each member finds a wooden figure that would represent them in the box.

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1. Who do I identify with, in the story today?
   Place a toothpick representing you there in the sand.

2. How does it make me feel to be here?
   Example: I can be one of the disciples, or the sick man, or next to Jesus, or far away in a desert removed from everyone.

3. Do I feel happy, mad, sad, glad, confused, curious, or anything else?

4. What story in your personal life do you connect this to now?

5. Where do you see Jesus now?

   Is he far or near? Is he inside the box or perhaps outside of the box?

6. What do you think he is saying to you personally today through this passage?

 

Share with one another. Key to the process:

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Keep it short
- Never touch someone else’s image while they explain what is going on for them in the box.
- Do not interrupt or quote scripture to help someone hear what God might be saying. - Just listen. Keep a safe environment going. In a difficult situation, you can simply

respond by saying: "Thanks for sharing so honestly." Then move to the next person.

STEP 5: Pray.

If your group is new to prayer, go in a circle. Ask each person to think of one thing they can thank God for. Once the person is done, the next person can pray.

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Go deeper when you're alone with God...

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Immanuel Journaling is a writing exercise or practice that helps us to explore our life events, especially our interior life including our thoughts, feelings, and body sensations with our GOOD God, Immanuel.  It is a simple process to help you become aware of God’s compassionate presence in the painful as well as mundane moments of your life.

 

Slowing down enough to pause, give thanks (if you are able), and then follow an elegant process of sensing God’s response has been transformative to people across the nation and the world.   People continue to share stories of peace and transformation as well as reconciling relationships.

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STEP ONE - Interactive gratitude

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PLAY THE FOLLOWING MUSIC AS YOU START
Write anything I appreciate and then write God's response to my gratitude.

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STEP TWO - I can see you

Write from God's perspective what he observes in you right now, including your physical sensations. Example: I can see you at your desk. Your breathing is shallow and your shoulders are tight.

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STEP THREE - I can hear you

Write from God's perspective what he hears you saying to yourself. Example: You are wondering if I will speak to you and how you would ever know. You are discouraged and tired. OR: You woke up full of energy this morning. You are ready to take on the world. Your mind is buzzing...

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STEP FOUR - I understand how big this is for you

How does God see your dreams, blessings, or upsets, and troubles? Example: I want you to know that I care about what matters to you. Your desire to honor me brings me great pleasure... OR: I understand how intimidated you feel. This situation feels all-consuming to you as if you are about to sink...

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STEP FIVE - I am glad to be with you and treat your weakness tenderly

How does God express his desire to participate in your life? Example: Your dreams are precious to me. I fill you with life each day and really enjoy your desire to... OR: I see your discouragement after yelling again. Times, when you are frustrated and tired, is when I want to be closer to you...

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STEP SIX - I can do something about what you are going through

What does God give you for this time? Example: Come away with me. I offer you times of refreshing, new energy, and vision. OR: I will strengthen you. Remember how your friend encouraged you last week? With me, you are not alone...

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STEP SEVEN - Read what you have written aloud (preferably to someone)