Soularium

We hope you were encouraged about how God is continuing to move, and to give us new opportunities to reach students through the Soularium. If you have not gotten to read about the Soularium in our latest newsletter, we would recommend reading it before reading this post because this is a follow up to the Soularium newsletter dialogue. Click here for the newsletter. We are so thrilled that there is something that is so culturally relevant to college students, and that really does enable conversations about Christ and the gospel.

We mentioned that there are a few ways to use the Soularium, and we thought we would share with you about how those work.

First, you can use the Soularium for it's most basic use: as a photo survey. To do this, we simply bring the Soularium packed, a pen and small notebook. We ask if we can talk with a student, usually one that we just met, and have them help us with the survey. Then, we hand them the photos, and ask them to answer the questions using the numbered photos. The questions are two-part. Allow time to answer part a before moving to part b:

1. Which 3 images would you choose to describe your life right now? b. What do each of those images represent about your life?
2. Which 3 images represent what you WISH were a part of your life right now? b. Why? What desire does each image represent?
3. Which image would you choose to describe God? (If they say "I'm an atheist" ask: Which image describes that?) b. Why? What does it say about God to you?
4. Think about your life so far. Which image best describes what you've experienced spiritually? b. Why? What does that image represent?
5. When you think about your own spiritual life or journey, which image best represents what you wish were true? b. Why? What does that image represent?

We simply write down their responses, and engage them in conversation about their responses. There is no one way to begin to talk about Christ in this survey, you just ask questions of the person, and share your experience with them. God really does open doors through the conversation to share about the wonderful love and grace of God, and what a relationship with Him is like. We have seen this be very effective in talking with students, and sharing the Gospel! You might find it helpful to have gone through the Soularium on your own in case they ask which images you would pick for each question- we get that response a lot!

The second option is to use the photos to share your own testimony about God's grace in your life. This would be something to prepare before you engage in conversations. Basically, think about your testimony as a 3 part story: your life before Christ, you salvation experience, and your life after you trusted in Christ. Then, you pick 1 image for each of the parts of your story. As you are talking with a student, it might be appropriate to share about what God has done in your life, and it is a perfect time to use the 3 pictures and a 3 minute testimony!

A third option is to set up an "art gallery" of sorts in a public place, and have the survey's (from option 1) printed where students can write out their response. You can have people talking by the board, and beginning conversation in the more open environment. This method is not as effective at starting gospel conversations because it is not one-on-one, but the conversation people can engage in spiritual conversations as well.

Many of you might be wondering if this tool is available to people outside of Campus Crusade for Christ staff, and the answer is YES! Please, please do not feel like we are pushing this item on you, we just recognize that you might be interested in having a copy for personal use. If you wish, you can order the item here. Again, please feel no obligation to get the tool.

There is a website associated with Soularium www.mysoularium.com that is another part of the tool. At the site you can see student's responses, as well as the images. They are really beautiful- you should check it out!

Our love and prayers to you!
Autumn and Vince