Interactive ways to draw views from adults

Form small groups, and ask people to describe their families, and see whether there are similarities/differences. For example, you might find that there are two or three sub-groups within each group (e.g. those with pre-school children, those who live alone, those caring for an elderly relative…etc.). Divide into the sub-groups, and imaginatively try to understand the needs of another sub-group, and list ways the church could help. Return to the original groups and let each sub-group comment on the ideas that have been drawn up for their help. Make a list of the ideas that might be helpful, and then display the list for all the groups to see.
Ask people to pair up and talk about their experience of family life as a child. Then move on to ask them to compare their experiences with those of families today (theirs or others that they know). Draw up a list of contrasts, good and bad. Get opinions about the needs of modern families, as they have emerged from the conversations, and brainstorm about the different ways in which the church could offer support.