Do you want to actually know what someone else thinks? Someone else's view on things?
Reflective Listening, also called Active Listening, involves setting aside your own comments and opinions for the purpose of learning someone else's ideas.
Instead of reacting, replying with your ideas, repeat back in your own words what someone has said.
So someone says,
"Having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, I see this referring to living our lives having been prepared by God to do that, because we have peace with God by the Gospel."
And now it's your turn. "No, this is talking about people being sent as missionaries, 'how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of them that bring good news'."
Or . . . a Reflective answer:
"So you're saying, to have your feet shod like this is to be at peace with God so you can give the right gospel message."
You respond with what you think they are saying in your own words. That gives the first speak the opportunity to know if you understood them correctly.
"Yes, it's about being at peace with God, but it's more about being prepared for all of life by having received the Gospel, and having peace with God."
"OK, so your feet shod with the preperation of the Gospel of peace is about being able to have a life based in being at peace with God, how that prepares you for your life."
"Yes, that's what I think."
Speaker 1 makes their statement.
Speaker 2 reflects back that statement.
Speaker 1 either affirms that Speaker 2 is correct, or Speaker 1 offers a correction.
Speaker 2 again reflects back Speaker 1's statement.
This process continues until Speaker 1 answer, Yes, you understand. And then you can both know there is actual understanding.
Then Speaker 2 can respond appropriately with their comment. And Speaker 1 can reflect that back.
You must be patient.
You must be kind.
You must be sincere.
You must be willing to set aside your own reactions and responses in favor of learning from someone else, whether you agree or disagree.
Or it won't work.
I promise you, if you learn this, you will gain tremendously!
Much love!
Reflective Listening, also called Active Listening, involves setting aside your own comments and opinions for the purpose of learning someone else's ideas.
Instead of reacting, replying with your ideas, repeat back in your own words what someone has said.
So someone says,
"Having your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, I see this referring to living our lives having been prepared by God to do that, because we have peace with God by the Gospel."
And now it's your turn. "No, this is talking about people being sent as missionaries, 'how beautiful on the mountains are the feet of them that bring good news'."
Or . . . a Reflective answer:
"So you're saying, to have your feet shod like this is to be at peace with God so you can give the right gospel message."
You respond with what you think they are saying in your own words. That gives the first speak the opportunity to know if you understood them correctly.
"Yes, it's about being at peace with God, but it's more about being prepared for all of life by having received the Gospel, and having peace with God."
"OK, so your feet shod with the preperation of the Gospel of peace is about being able to have a life based in being at peace with God, how that prepares you for your life."
"Yes, that's what I think."
Speaker 1 makes their statement.
Speaker 2 reflects back that statement.
Speaker 1 either affirms that Speaker 2 is correct, or Speaker 1 offers a correction.
Speaker 2 again reflects back Speaker 1's statement.
This process continues until Speaker 1 answer, Yes, you understand. And then you can both know there is actual understanding.
Then Speaker 2 can respond appropriately with their comment. And Speaker 1 can reflect that back.
You must be patient.
You must be kind.
You must be sincere.
You must be willing to set aside your own reactions and responses in favor of learning from someone else, whether you agree or disagree.
Or it won't work.
I promise you, if you learn this, you will gain tremendously!
Much love!
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