We are so connected to our own stories - memories from childhood, vacation adventures, anecdotes from work. How we tell them or how they have been told to us shapes our understanding of these moments. Yet, we often don’t realize that we build our understanding of who we are through these stories.
When we share our stories, we invite others to share a new perspective or a truth we hadn’t considered.
Telling our stories can release us from false narratives we believe about who we are.
We all have moments that have had a significant impact on us or moments that seem trivial but stand out in our unprocessed memories. Storied Lives is about sharing and reflecting on these stories. You will have the opportunity to share in a safe space with others who can walk with you to shift how you think about not only these stories but how you understand yourself.
Share and reflect on your life while fostering personal growth and connection.
Through Storied Lives, you'll gain a new perspective about yourself and start unearthing narratives you believe about yourself. You'll be able to name themes in your story that may still be present in your life today.
Anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate in Storied Lives.
The group leader will vary based on location and session. If you have questions or concerns about your leader, feel free to reach out to us. We're happy to dive in with you!
Storied Lives is a group coaching course centered around Christian teachings. The course is divided into three sessions, with a specific topic for each session.
Each session, participants will be invited to write a story from childhood based on the topic. You'll then share your story with the group. A teaching and training will accompany each story.
As take-home-work, participants will write three stories over the length of course and have occasional reading.
Over the course of 3 months, Storied Lives groups will meet for 3 sessions. Each session lasts for 5-weeks, with a break before the next session starts. In total, we’ll meet 17 times.
We currently offer a group through New Hope Counseling in Indianapolis, with a session running from November-May each year. Since creating a safe space is crucial, we only offer in-person sessions.
If you’re interested in bringing StoriedLives to your church or counseling center, reach out to our Founder, Carrie Sinsabaugh.
“It was one of the most difficult tasks to write childhood stories on paper and then read them to the group. Yet, in the process, God has begun healing me of the lies I have listened to for so many years.”
“It has made me more aware of ways past experience affects me today. It provided the opportunity for me to work through past hurts in a safe and loving environment.”
“Sharing my stories with my group was a life-changing experience for me... I experienced Jesus’ pursuit of me and my story during my time with my group.”
“It felt as though God had put this group together with a purpose, we all had the same issue, it just looked different for everyone. I can continue to realize when I curse myself and finally feel like I know how to let the kindness in.”
"[Storied Lives] has helped me realize some dynamics in my own story and to hear others' stories. I received a lot of encouragement and validation."
How it all started
I attended a training through The Allender Center 10 years ago that was a certification program designed for lay leaders and those with their masters in counseling. I signed up because I respected and appreciated Dan Allender’s perspective on what it looks like to grow, heal and be a person. I did not expect it to have such a powerful impact on my life personally. Participants were invited to write and share 3 stories from their childhood. It was through sharing my stories with my group that God helped me name a lie that I believed about myself. This lie I believed about myself was so close to me that I needed others to help me see it so that I could stop living as though it were true. When I finished the training, I wanted to start something similar for my own community. What started as one group has grown into the Storied Lives program.
Carrie Sinsabaugh, Founder
Are you ready to tell your story?
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