Favorites

This session is the fourth of five introductory sessions for a Small Group. Members are encouraged to think about their favorites—things, people, places, books, plays, poetry, music, or pastimes, and to examine the positive and negative aspects of having “favorites.”

This session also includes 10 minutes for members to state whether or not they have decided to remain with the Small Group for the rest of the year.

Member Preparation

In preparation for this session, take some time to read the following quotes and to think about your own favorites.

"My favorite thing is to go where I've never been." - Diane Arbus

"My favorite thing is to be alone in a room with a blank paper in front of me and the time to fill it." - Dirk Benedict

“Mom Always Liked You Best” - The Smothers Brothers

"The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he was downcast." - Genesis 4:1-8

These questions provide ways you may want to approach this topic. Remember to focus on just one or two of the questions, if you choose to use them, as this will allow you to explore the topic in more depth.

  • If you had to name one favorite—a thing, a person, a place, a book, a play, a poem, a piece of music, or a pastime—what would it be? Can you share with us why and/or how this became your favorite?
  • Some of our favorites (from activities like building a tree house as a child to preparing a soufflé or martini as an adult) change with age. Others always remain fresh and vibrant. Can you share one favorite that has changed and one that has not?
  • Do you find that having favorites has limited your choices and experiences in your life? If so, how have you or how could you prevent this?
  • How can “favorites” evolve into prejudice? Have you experienced a time when either your “favorites” or someone else’s “favorites” became a source of hurt?

Special Materials

  • Name tags and marker(s).
  • Group Agreements written out on a large piece of paper or poster board, to be posted on the wall.
  • Enough copies of one of your favorite things – a poem, a picture, etc. – for everyone in the group.
  • Tape

Further Exploration