African Bible Study Method on Ladder of Inference
Took a session this morning on respectful communication and the African Bible Study method. Actually there wasn’t a lot of time left to put the Bible study into action at the end, after the vigorous and enthusiastic engagement in the communication side. I blogged on this back on Thursday May 12.
The acrostic for respectful communication:
R - take RESPONSIBILITY for what you say and feel without blaming others
E - use EMPATHETIC listening
S - be SENSITIVE to differences in communication styles
P - PONDER what you hear and feel before you speak
E - EXAMINE your own assumptions and perceptions
C - Keep CONFIDENTIALITY
T - TRUST ambiguity because we are NOT here to debate who is right or wrong.
Today as we unpacked assumptions and perceptions we used the ladder of inference (developed by Chris Argyris and Donald Schon) and Hayakawa’s ladder of abstraction. There are some good examples of “ladders of inference” here. Peter Senge writes about it in the Fifth Discipline. I have access to observable ‘data and experiences’ in the same way as a videotape recorder might capture it. I select data from what I observe. I add cultural and personal meanings. I make assumptions based on the meanings I added. I draw conclusions. I adopt beliefs about the world. I take actions based on my beliefs. The reflexive loop is the dynamic by which our beliefs affect what data we select next time.
The African Bible Study method was introduced by African bishops to the Lambeth Conference.
- One individual reads passages slowly.
- Each person identifies the word or phrase or image that catches their attention. (1 minute)
- Each shares the word or phrase around the group. (3-5 minutes, NO DISCUSSION)
- Another person reads the passage slowly (from a different translation, if possible.)
- Each person identifies where this passage touches their life today. (1 minute)
- Each shares. (3-5 minutes, NO DISCUSSION)
- Passage is read a third time (another reader and translation, if possible.
- Each person names or writes: “From what I’ve heard and shared, what do I believe God wants me to do or be? Is God inviting me to change in any way? (5 minutes)
- Each shares their answer. (5-10 minutes, NO DISCUSSION)
- Each prays for the person on their right, naming what was shared in other steps. (5 minutes)
- Close with the Lord’s Prayer and SILENCE
Postkiwi Duncan Macleod posts on life, faith and culture in Australia, drawing from his involvement in the creative industry, the Uniting Church, the blogosphere, generational research, the emerging church and life on the Gold Coast.
