Debating Jesuits

Aim of practice: creating a meaningful discussion, exploring the topic, creating new material, connecting the group
Number of participans: 2+
Time: 30 min +

The exercise serves as a method of leading a discussion, it can help developing the topic (or its discovery), at the same time it can strengthen the connection in the group. First, a question (or topic) is chosen (eg. for the topic „future“: Do you remember any of your experiences strongly connected with thinking about the future?). Subsequently, all participants have 5-10 minutes to write the answer (in this exercise, it is an advantage to describe thoughts and memories in as much detail as possible). When everyone is done, participants read what they have written. Posts are not commented, it's just a matter of listening to each other. Then everyone has 5-10 minutes again to write what inspired them from the contributions of others... When everyone writes the second text, they read it again in the same order as before. This is where the exercise ends and the discussion can continue freely, without rules. Participants can further develop the topic or reflect the experiences from the exercise.

Note: This method was used by the Jesuits as a tool to discuss complex and abstract topics.

Source: Building Conversation www.buildingconversation.nl



13. 03. 2021