I am beginning to see what I mean by what I have been thinking of as ‘Preaching the Word’. It's still not entirely clear to me but it seems something (at least in part) like this:
1. I have some knowledge of these things which will form the background to our conversation.
2. I want to hear what you say, and I will guide this.
3. I will nudge you along in ways which will help you develop what you say.
4. I will be as clear for you as possible.
5. What you say will become increasingly clear.
6. Your wisdom will reveal itself in some small or greater way.
7. I will be affected by this, perhaps myself feeling wiser or clearer.
8. I will pass this back to you, and you will understand your own wisdom or clarity better.
9. The experience will be felt as a unifying one, an important one, and a memorable one.
Preaching the Word is something important, I am sure. It reshapes this philosophical counselling idea into something which can happen between people without any of the obvious trappings of philosophy or counselling but which can bring many of the benefits of both and more.
