Six-Week Spiritual Listening Cohort

Unlocking the door for compassion and curiosity by bravely creating safe spaces for stories to be heard and told

 

We are called to love - but how do we actually do that? How do you love someone you disagree with? How do you have meaningful conversations with someone who triggers you?

At People Who See, we believe it is not enough to simply tell people to love their neighbor - we have to give them tools and resources to do so. We all have countless stories of ways Christians have failed in our call to love one another. But we’re not satisfied just pointing out the problem - we want to be part of the solution.

 

Who is this cohort for?

This cohort is for those wanting more - who want to be able to love people practically, create a safe space, and be a good companion on the journey. This is for those dissatisfied with how they have showed up in the past and are willing to brave vulnerability to create meaningful connection.

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone you love when they bring up a topic you disagree with them on? You instantly feel yourself get triggered by something they said, so you fire back with the perfect cutting remark and walk away in a huff.

But then, later, you wish you could have known how to engage in the conversation. You regret your anger and you wish you could have done something differently.

What if someone brings a painful situation to you and you don’t know what to say? Your palms start sweating, your heart starts racing, and you’re wondering just how quickly you can change the subject, so you make a quick joke to lighten the mood and then move on as though nothing ever happened.

But as their face falls and you see them walk away in pain, you kick yourself because you wish you had known what to do.

If you’ve ever experienced these things, we are here to equip you with practical tools anchored in contemplative practices that unlock a door for compassion and curiosity. We will provide a framework on which to build a Christ-like model of interpersonal relationship. This cohort will unite participants through story-telling and equip them with tools to have hard conversations by practicing spiritual listening and other contemplative practices.

 

Course breakdown by session

01

Spiritual Listening

Learn the practice of spiritual listening through the model of triads.

02

Examen

Gain knowledge on question-based conversation instead of assumption based-conversation through the lens of Examen practice.

03

Breath Prayer

How to respond effectively in conversation when we are triggered while remaining a listening presence by practicing breath prayer.

04

Lectio Divina

See the transformational power of hearing and telling stories by incorporating Lectio Divina in listening to the stories of others.

05

Practice

Practice spiritual listening in a small group setting utilizing elements of your story and hearing the stories of others.

06

Visio Divina

Learn to see Christ in the other through a time of reflection and reconciliation.

“I learned how to truly listen. Sounds simple right? But there is the intentionality aspect often overlooked that I am now practicing with those around me and with God. The cohort taught me what it is like to provide space to truly listen to another person, something which now I am applying in so many spaces in my life. Work, friends, family and wherever there is a relationship with another.”

Justin V

 What You Get

  • Access to six live, two-hour group spiritual direction sessions with a certified spiritual director - ($600 value)

  • Six weeks of practical and theological learning crafted from doctoral-level research in Dr. Beth’s Doctor of Ministry program. 

  • Digital workbook of reflection questions and spiritual practices to continue your journey after the cohort.

  • Dates: August 17-September 21, 2025.

  • Times: 6:30-8pm CST

  • Price: $425

 What You Get

  • Access to six live, two-hour group spiritual direction sessions with a certified spiritual director - ($600 value)

  • Six weeks of practical and theological learning crafted from doctoral-level research in either Dr. Beth or Dr. Esther’s Doctor of Ministry program. 

  • Six weeks of access to a private Slack channel for additional time with your spiritual director, Q&A, and connection with other group members throughout the cohort. 

  • Digital workbook of reflection questions and spiritual practices to continue your journey after the cohort.

  • Dates: August 20-September 24, 2023.

  • Times: 6:30-8pm CST

  • Price: $425

 

Testimonials

  • This course is worth every minute.

    “Beth balances her own story and the story of each person so well. This course allowed me to be listened to and learn how to better listen to those around me. Because of this course I feel equipped to better handle situations that trigger me by seeking to understand what the deeper feelings are of the person in front of me.”

    Paige Sandbulte

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 FAQs

  • The cohort meets via Zoom on Sunday evenings from 6:30-8pm (CST). Fall cohort dates will be August 17-September 21.

  • Prior to the start of each cohort, a full refund will be offered if you communicate that you will no longer be able to participate. To maintain the community within each cohort, once sessions have begun, we would no longer offer refunds.

  • We are welcoming of all people who are sincerely seeking to deepen their faith by learning the skills of spiritual listening. We understand and expect that people will be at different places in their journey and have different opinions that arise from their stories and experiences, but the expectation is that we would navigate these conversations with respect and humility. Our job as facilitators is to care for the group well and so aggressive or bullying behaviors will not be tolerated. We know that we will not always agree, but we are committed to holding mutually respectful space for each other throughout the cohort.

  • An attitude of openness and curiosity is essential for the work of this cohort. More practically, we will be offering an opportunity to reflect practice each week, and your experience will be enriched if you engage with those practices.

  • Due to the nature of the groups and the value we place on community and safety, we intentionally keep these groups small - most likely 6-12.

  • If a cohort has filled up, you can join the waiting list for the next cohort! We offer cohorts that start throughout the year, but if the waiting list get long, we can hopefully offer one sooner!

  • We hope you can make every session, but if you do have to miss we will record the sessions and make them available to you afterward so you don’t miss a beat.

 

Sign up for the next cohort

Let’s brave vulnerability and create meaningful connection together.