Checking In

Jun 4

I don’t know when “check-ins” became an integral part of a meeting, but I love them. I’ve always been much more curious about the people working on the project than the project itself. I now have a list of “check-in” prompts.

- Name something new, good, or grateful in your life.

- What is something new you learned?

- What are you reading or listening to?

- What is motivating you today?

During this past Lent, I reviewed my check-in questions and realized I hadn’t specifically geared them towards faith, God, or Salesian spirituality. What would those questions even sound like?

In the fall of 2023, we started a new ministry in the Oblates called Live Jesus Ministries. We initiated this ministry following a thorough reflection on the method of discipling we were using at our school, retreat center, and parishes. After a year of research and pilot programs with a few locations, we launched a ministry that trains parishes and schools to build spiritual mentorship and small group discipleship ministries for youth. Since then, we’ve trained over 100 adult mentors with 15+ locations in the Diocese of Toledo, beginning to implement this relational approach to youth evangelization. I could go on, but feel free to visit the website.

Because Live Jesus Ministries focuses on small group discipleship for youth, we use lots of check-in questions to build comfort through sharing and listening to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. This method is not new or revolutionary, it’s heart-to-heart. I just never made it intentional. Here are some of the questions:

- What word would you use to describe your relationship with God today?

- What is your peak, your pit, and your prayer?

- What is one way you’ve seen God since we last met?

- What is the number one thing you’ve been praying about? Why?

- What is something simple, interesting, or new you witnessed about God?

I share these because I’ve found them fruitful in my life, even though they were designed for teens. Just like the check-ins I use for meetings, I love these questions. Maybe I’ll start using them at my meetings and community dinners! Maybe you will too?

May God be Praised!