BEAUTIFUL FAITH: VOL 3 FACILITATOR GUIDE

GROW IN CONFIDENCE. KNOW YOUR IDENTITY.

FOR GIRLS OF FAITH

FACILITATOR GUIDE

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JOURNEY

Journey 03: Facilitator Guide

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BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL Copyright © 2026 Releasing Generations Published by Releasing Generations Printed in the United States of America All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

All articles, art, and photographs have been published and printed with the permission of their creators.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the Holy Scriptures, Tree of Life Version*. Copyright © 2014,2016 by the Tree of Life Bible Society. Used by permission of the Tree of Life Bible Society.

Scripture quotations marked (NIrV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIrV” and “New International Reader’s Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Art Direction and Graphic Design by: Ahava Design, LLC. Photos by Unsplash and Pixabay.

TheBraveSeries.com Through The Brave Series, we are on a mission to help youth and adults of all ages overcome insecurities about their value and purpose. The Brave Series empowers teens and adults to:

The Brave Series is a publication of Explicit Movement, one of three facets of the Releasing Generations organization. You can learn more about Explicit Movement at Explicitmovement.org

• Grow in confidence and emotional health.

Our leadership team has decades of combined experience working with, serving, and supporting teens, young adults, parents, community leaders, and church leaders within many denominations locally and globally.

• Gain wisdom and vision for their future, enabling them to step into their purpose and pursue their dreams.

• Become aware and equipped to safeguard themselves and others from exploitation and sex trafficking victimization.

You are not alone in your struggles.

Learn more at TheBraveSeries.com or visit us at ReleasingGenerations.org Brave & Beautiful Volume 03 (Faith) Facilitator Guide – 3/2026

Welcome to the Brave & Beautiful journey!

Thank you so much for taking the time to invest in your teen girls and in your relationship with them! Whether you go through this journey with just one teen or a group of teens, you will find this to be a transformational experience for all involved.

The articles will also be relevant to your personal growth.

Each chapter provides discussion questions and optional activities for you to use as a springboard. You can pick and choose which optional questions you would like to use and create your own. As the discussion flows, you may be inspired by wonderful, spontaneous questions.

The activities provided for each chapter are also optional. As a teacher or parent, we encourage you to be creative and do other activities as you are inspired, as time permits! The lessons are typically geared for small groups, so please adjust the activity if you are doing a 1:1 mentorship.

Enjoy your journey!

Authors/Educators: Cathy Lynne Fong, Erin Chinen, Loraine Hotoke, and Michele Okimura

BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL FACILITATOR GUIDE

Table of Contents Journey 03 WELCOME .............................................. 05 IMPORTANT REMINDERS . . ........................ 08 FAQs .. .................................................... 08 EMPATHETIC RESPONSES .......................... ..........................11 THE BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL CULMINATING..... ..... 12 CELEBRATION EVENT RIGHT OF PASSAGE EVENT FOR DAUGHTERS ..................................... 13 OVERVIEW .............................................. 14 4-Volume Journey CHAPTER 1: SHE CELEBRATES . . .................. 16 The Power of Gratitude CHAPTER 2: SHE LOVES ............................ 18 Healthy Friendships CHAPTER 3: SHE GIVES ............................ 20 The Value of Being Generous CHAPTER 4: SHE DREAMS ........................ 22 Be Released to Dream Big CHAPTER 5: SHE CREATES ....................... 24 Activate Your Creativity CHAPTER 6: SHE ARISES . . ........................ 26 Arise in Purpose and Vision

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: • Be positive, affirming, and encouraging to your teens whenever possible!

• Be mindful NOT to dominate the conversation. Make it a point to listen more than you talk.

• Express gratitude when teens share good points.

• Make the discussion times as enjoyable and meaningful as possible so you look forward to your time together.

• Thank teens when they take a risk and share vulnerably with you.

• Remember, the discussions can be serious at times, and there may be unexpected expressions of raw emotion, but laughing together also strengthens the bond between you and your teens.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS IMPORTANT: THIS IS NOT A TIME TO GIVE ‘LECTURES’ OR GIVE ADVICE (UNLESS THE TEEN GIRL ASKS FOR ADVICE).

We hope and pray that going through Brave & Beautiful together with your teen or group of teens will be a positive, enjoyable experience for everyone! As a teacher, parent, or mentor, you want to create a safe place where each teen girl can freely open up and share her thoughts and feelings.

• This is not a time when your teens passively listen to your advice or teachings.

• This is not a time to quickly ‘correct’ the teens’ lines of thinking.

• Do not try to force your teens to agree with your perspectives.

• Seek to understand your teens first before seeking to be understood. However, in the discussions, there will be opportunities to pass along your wisdom naturally as you share your thoughts and life experiences.

If students feel that you really care about what they have to say, they will appreciate being heard. If you listen to them without negatively judging them, they will typically want to share things with you—which is the goal!

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FAQ WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDE? This is a powerful tool to mentor teen girls in life and leadership! The meaningful discussion and activity times after each chapter can strengthen your emotional connection with them, heart-to-heart.

Verbally processing the content with someone as mature as you will help teen girls to digest the material and have a deeper learning experience. Going through the material with someone also ensures they will complete the Brave & Beautiful Journey through Volume 4. Volume 4 has vital information that could help protect their lives from dangerous situations!

WHO SHOULD GO THROUGH THIS WITH A TEEN GIRL? Because Brave & Beautiful is for teen girls and the articles are coming from mostly female perspectives covering common female issues, it is more natural and comfortable for a mom or female mentor to go through this with teen girls. However, we do understand that in some cases, a father may want to go through this with their teen, which is also fine. *Going through this with a small group of teen girls can also add beneficial and enriching perspectives to the discussions.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF A TEEN GIRL SHARES SOMETHING SHOCKING, DISTURBING, OR UPSETTING TO YOU? Because the topics and discussion questions encourage vulnerability, your teens may muster the courage within themselves to share something that may shock, disturb, or upset you. Prepare yourself now, so if this happens, you are ready to respond with compassion, understanding, and grace using self-control and NOT react in anger or shock.

If you react in anger or shock, this will probably cause teen girls not to want to open up going forward. You want to do your best to create a safe place for teens to share.

As a teacher or parent, it can be so easy to react in anger or shock when your teen shares something upsetting. The tendency can be to want to control the situation. You can be real and raw in your thoughts and feelings with God privately or with a trusted friend at a later time, but NOT in

that moment with your teen. If you can stay calm and seek to understand, this will help build emotional connections.

Refer to the article following this introduction entitled Empathetic Responses That Promote Connection. Respond with kindness, gentleness, love, and empathy—not judgment. Pray silently and ask the Lord to give you the strength to keep a straight face and listen. Know that it took courage for your teen to share what he did. Affirm your teens and thank them for sharing vulnerably.

BECAUSE YOU WILL BE SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS AND LIFE EXPERIENCES IN THE DISCUSSIONS, HOW VULNERABLE SHOULD YOU BE WITH YOUR TEEN? Creating a heart connection with your teens involves sharing some of your life experiences with them. You will create an atmosphere of vulnerability when you share stories from your life—your struggles, failures, and what you learned from them as they relate to the subject being discussed. It is so valuable for your teen to learn more about your story!

Decide beforehand what you want to share as you prepare for the discussion. Letting your teens know that you are not perfect, made wrong choices, and experienced pain in your life will build that heart connection. The teen girls may particularly appreciate you sharing stories from your teen years.

WHAT IS A RECOMMENDED READING PLAN? There can be creative versatility in your reading plan depending on what works best for you in your context. Please check out thebraveseries.com website for more ideas and reach out to Michele and her team to create a tailored plan for your needs and schedule a meeting. We want to support you in whatever way we can.

The chapters are fairly short and can easily be read in a short amount of time.

You may choose to go through a chapter per week or cover one or two chapters every two weeks. If you are in a retreat type of setting, you can cover a number of chapters within your retreat time that is reasonable for your students.

The discussion times could be anywhere from 30 to 60+ minutes, depending on your available time. If the conversation goes longer than usual and you need to end it due to your schedule, you can always continue the conversation at your next meeting. *NOTE: If a teen is going through a particular struggle in the present, you can opt to skip ahead to a later chapter that addresses what she is currently going through. For example, if a close relative of a teen passed away, you could decide to skip ahead and go through the chapter on grieving in Volume 2. You can skip ahead to what is most relevant, then return back to the order we have laid out for the journey. Although the chapters are ordered to build upon each other, feel free to skip around to the most relevant chapters that will best serve your teen girl(s).

THIS PUBLICATION IS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS. CAN A YOUNGER GIRL GO THROUGH THIS? Because the first three volumes focus on growing a girl’s confidence and character and knowing her identity, you could easily go over Volumes 1-3 with younger girls using your judgment.

The older a girl is, the more mature she is, and the more she will have a deeper grasp of the lessons. Volume 4 covers the heavier subjects of sexual violence, sex trafficking, and pornography, Continued

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which may not be as age-appropriate for younger girls (you may decide to pick and choose articles from Volume 4). However, as a teacher or parent, you can use your judgment since you want younger girls to be aware of online predators and the pornography issue, especially as some studies have shown that the average age of first exposure is around nine years old. You know your child best and can decide.

CAN A YOUNG ADULT WOMAN OR OLDER WOMAN BENEFIT FROM GOING THROUGH THIS BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL JOURNEY? Although the target group for this publication is middle school and high school teen girls, we have found that this journey also speaks to women of all ages. Women will find quality content in the articles that support their personal growth! In Volume 4, valuable information about pornography, sexual violence, sex trafficking, and other topics covered can be gleaned and passed on to young people through women who have gone through this Brave & Beautiful experience!

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ASKING TO READ YOUR TEENS’ PRIVATE THOUGHTS THAT THEY SHARED ON THEIR JOURNAL PAGES. We strongly urge teachers and parents to honor each teen’s privacy regarding the interactive pages she filled out—unless she willingly wants to share her writings or art with you.

We want every teen girl to be honest and vulnerable in her reflections and journaling. Knowing that others will be reading her private journaling without permission would greatly hinder the effectiveness of her experience.

BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL SHOULD BE KEPT AND REFERRED TO EVEN IN YOUNG ADULT YEARS! We envision that the teen girls will keep Brave & Beautiful for decades to come as a manual for life and leadership, a tool, and a reference guide. Sex trafficking also happens during the young adult years and in colleges. We pray this will be a resource the readers will repeatedly refer to.

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BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL

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EMPATHETIC RESPONSES THAT PROMOTE CONNECTION

By Vicky Wong, MSCP, LMFT, LMHC, NCC, and Michele Okimura It is not always easy to know what to say when someone tells you something very personal. There is power in words.

Careless words keep people isolated and silent for years. Supportive words bring healing, restoration, and courage to discuss their burdens or experiences. Here are some tips on what to say vs what not to say when someone shares vulnerably.

After someone shares something vulnerable, it can be hurtful not to say anything, quickly change the subject, or make a joke/comment to lighten the mood. When appropriate, a hand on the shoulder, a hand squeeze, or a hug can also communicate comfort and empathy. *Do not start immediately sharing your similar experience. This time is not about you. It is about listening to them. Giving advice and encouraging words comes later after they feel validated and heard. Be sensitive to when you feel they are ready for further input.

Vulnerability + Empathy = Breaks Shame.

WHAT NOT TO SAY: ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶

▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶

You just need to let go and move on.

Other people have it worse than you.

You’re making too much of a big deal of this.

You just need to trust God and pray harder.

Are you just trying to get attention?

I can’t believe this really happened.

Tell me every detail and don’t leave anything out.

How come you just can’t forgive?

Did you enjoy it? (referring to abuse) What are you going to do about it now?

At least…(minimizing issue)

WHAT TO SAY: ▶ It sounds like you are really feeling (angry, sad, excited, shocked, etc.) by what happened. ▶ I don’t know exactly what to say right now except that I’m here for you. ▶ I’m so sorry that happened to you. ▶ This must be so tough for you. ▶ You are very brave and courageous to talk about what happened. ▶ It took a lot of courage to talk about this, and I’m proud of you. ▶ I am here to help you through your sadness. ▶ We will walk through this together. ▶ I care about you. I am here to listen to you and help you in any way. ▶ I am so glad you are sharing this with me.

▶ You are not alone. ▶ I believe in you! ▶ I’m so sorry that awful thing happened to you.

You didn’t deserve this (abuse, hurtful situation) ▶ You are not to blame. This is not your fault. (if they were a victim of abuse) ▶ Healing is possible. You can be whole again. ▶ Forgiveness for such a deep hurt is a process and will happen over time. ▶ What I hear you saying is… (reflect back what they said/ reflect back what you sense they are feeling.)

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THE BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL CULMINATING CELEBRATION EVENT This is an optional event that celebrates the completion of Brave & Beautiful, marking a milestone with gratitude and reflection.

This can be a significant and special defining moment to launch the students into their futures. It could be held at a facility, a park, or a beach and include an activity like hiking, swimming, fishing, or zip-lining.

You can keep this event to include just you and the students; however, consider inviting parents to it. You can also have the students invite their father or father figure to it. Another option is to have students invite up to two mentors of their choice, which could include parents.

Prepare a simple program for the event. Please use the following options as a springboard to tailor the event.

• As part of the program, have each student prepare a short speech they can read to the audience that can include reflections on the following questions: ▶ Self-Awareness: In what ways have you grown to view yourself differently/more positively? ▶ Transformation: How did this journey impact you?

Share 1-2 ways you were changed by the Brave & Beautiful Journey. How have you grown? ▶ Regarding Connecting the Dots articles in Journey 4: Share one or more big takeaways after going through the articles on pornography, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking. What new perspectives have you gained? ▶ Being Brave & Beautiful: In what ways have you been encouraged to be brave through this journey?

In what ways has your beauty been affirmed through this journey?

NOTE: With your students’ permission, please send their letters or a summary of their reflections, along with your feedback and/or endorsement, to info@thebraveseries.com.

Thank you! We look forward to hearing from you and your students.

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BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL

• One of each student’s guests would be asked to prepare in advance and read a short letter of affirmation to the student in front of the audience after the student shared their reflections.

• As the facilitator of the journey, share your reflections and affirmations.

• Celebrate around a meal and/or provide food or snack refreshments following the formal program.

• Depending on your time allotment, invite a guest speaker who can inspire, encourage, and affirm the students.

• Consider gifting the students the Dream Big Journal: Keys to Unlock your Dreams, a companion resource for their next steps found at MicheleOkimura.com, or consider going through the Dream Big Journal curriculum as a follow-up.

FOR PARENTS: A RIGHT OF PASSAGE EVENT FOR YOUR TEEN DAUGHTER We have added this additional activity that can be so meaningful for your teen girl. We wanted to mention this idea to you now so you can be envisioning the possibilities as you feel led—be creative! This celebration event can help her to grow in confidence and know her value! Be innovative and simply use this activity as a springboard to tailor it to how you want to encourage your teen girl.

Here are a few milestone ages that this activity can be applied to: • In the Jewish culture, when a girl turns 12, a Bat Mitzvah celebration takes place as a coming-of-age ceremony into adulthood.

• A girl’s Sweet 16 Debutante Birthday party or her quinceanera can also be considered a coming-of-age ceremony in America.

• When a girl graduates high school, this can also be a year to celebrate with this activity, since she will be moving onto college, higher education, trade school, or the workforce.

AT THE EVENT Sometime during the event, have a time when each of the invited guests presents their letter and gift to your teen.

Each guest is to read their letter, give their wrapped gift to her (have your daughter open the gift), and explain the meaning behind the gift they gave. It is always special to have a time of prayer for the guest of honor to seal the formal time! Taking photos during the event, including a final group shot, can also be special.

AFTER THE EVENT Collect the letters written to your daughter. You could place them into an album or a large envelope with any photos from the event.

WHO TO INVITE? You could invite a few or many women who are especially close to your teen girl. They could be family members and/or mentors.

You can choose to involve your teen girl in deciding who to invite to this event. This will be a powerful time of women affirming and loving on her, welcoming her into the season of becoming a young woman!

PREPARATION Ahead of time, ask the women invited to write a one-page (or so) letter to your teen girl, expressing their love and sharing their wisdom as she enters a new season of her life.

They can include their hopes for her. Inform them that they will be reading their letter to her as part of the program at the event. Their letters will later be put into an album for your teen girl to keep forever.

Ask the invited guests to bring a gift that has a symbolic meaning which expresses what they appreciate about your teen girl and how they believe God sees her, and/or how they see her. They are to attach a positive meaning to the item they gift to her, which they will share at the event. Encourage them to be creative! Plan the details of the party using your creativity to make it special and memorable!

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Journey 02

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SHE RELEASES

SHE DISCOVERS

SHE TRUSTS

SHE ACCEPTS

SHE CRIES

SHE BELIEVES

SHE BLOOMS

SHE EXPRESSES

SHE PERSEVERES

SHE CONNECTS

SHE PROTECTS

SHE RESTS

SHE SPARKLES

Defining What is Brave & Beautiful

Releasing Forgiveness

Growing in Self-Awareness of Your Design

Dealing with Your Anxiety and Fears

Grieving the Losses in Your Life

Accepting Yourself and Not Comparing

Thriving in Every Season of Life

Believing the Truth: You Have Immense Value Creative Ways to Express Yourself and Your Voice

Persevering Through Difficult Times

Connecting with God

Guarding Your Heart and Purity

Valuing the Rhythm of Rest in Life

Shining in Your Uniqueness

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Journey 03

Journey 04 Listen

8 SHE CELEBRATES The Power of Gratitude

PORNOGRAPHY

20 SHE LOVES Healthy Friendships

SEX ABUSE AND TRAUMA

30 SHE GIVES The Value of Being Generous

SEX TRAFFICKING

40 SHE DREAMS Be Released to Dream Big

VOICES OF FREEDOM

48 SHE CREATES Activate Your Creativity

HOPE ARISES

The Negative Effects of Pornography Addressing Sex Abuse and Healing Trauma

Protect Yourself from Victimization Letters to You from Survivors You Can Make a Difference!

56 SHE ARISES Arise in Purpose and Vision

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JOURNEY 03 • PAGE 8~19

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS •

When was the last time you expressed gratitude to someone?

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Who is a person you know personally or know of who has a positive outlook on life and celebrates life despite their circumstance or handicap? Share briefly about this person. (As a leader, share as well).

•

Watch a short YouTube Video of your choice about Nick Vujicic that clearly displays his positive celebration of life and thanksgiving despite his handicap. Ask the group to share their take aways. In what ways does Nick inspire you to celebrate life more?

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In what ways can being grateful each day effect your mood and perspective?

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In what ways can being grateful improve your relationships?

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Psalm 100:4 says to enter the Lord’s gates with thanksgiving. The Bible mentions to give thanks over 100 times. What does this tell you about God and how He loves to be approached?

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Why do you think it is so important to God that you and I have a thankful heart?

ACTIVITIES THANK YOU JOY! Materials Needed: • timer (can use your phone) • Brave and Beautiful journey book Instructions: 1.

Start off with this fun icebreaker: Make Me Laugh 1. Divide group into 2 teams 2. One team has to make one person from the other team on the hot seat laugh within 1 minute.

They can do anything except touch the person.

3. If the person on the hot seat shows their teeth (before the minute is up), it's considered laughing and the other team gets a point.

4. The other players on the side can be in charge of keeping time.

5. You can repeat the above instructions so each person in the group has a chance to be in the hot seat if there is time.

6. Highlight that celebrating life by being grateful is a great way to add joy and laughter to your life!

Sometimes celebrating also includes having a sense of humor whenever possible!

2.

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Share, “On page 12, you had to list 20 things that you're grateful for. Without looking at your list, let's practice that same exercise again together. Everyone, take a turn and share 5 things off the top of your head, big or small, that you're grateful for. Try to think of something you didn't already write if you can.”

Have a time of sharing.

BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL

3.

Ask the following questions to the group and have the girls share. If the group is large, you can have them break into smaller groups.

- What is something you are grateful for that you did not have 3 years ago?

- What's the nicest thing someone said to you in the past week?

- Which action step from the list found on the bottom of page 12, did you practice this week?

How did it go?

4.

Ask each girl to choose two or three more action steps from page 12 that she will practice this week for their application.

5.

Have everyone share one thing they’re grateful for from this meeting together.

6.

Pray in pairs or as a group to close.

THANK YOU CARDS Materials Needed • ready-made thank you cards (one for each girl) or blank cardstock that can be folded into a card and decorated • pen/pencil • (optional) peaceful instrumental worship music • (optional) music player/speaker • (optional) crayons, markers, color pencils, scrapbook paper and embellishments, glue sticks, stickers • Write a thank you letter to someone you appreciate, giving specific examples of why you're grateful for that person. You will need this for the activity.

Instructions 1.

Discuss how a handwritten note is special in these days when so many things are digital. Read aloud a thank you note you received from someone or a note you wrote to give to someone, as an example of things which can be expressed. The more specific the better! Give each girl a thank you card or blank paper.

2.

Have them write a letter to someone in their life, thanking that person for something specific.

3.

They may add a drawing or decorate their card if there's time.

4.

Play soothing music during this activity if you desire.

5.

Encourage the girls to mail, hand deliver their thank you card (if it's possible), or better yet, read their card to this person.

6.

Encourage the girls to make it a lifestyle practice to write handwritten thank you notes to people to express their gratitude.

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SHE LOVES

JOURNEY 03 • PAGE 20~29

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS •

Referring to the article, “Being a Good Friend,” on pages 22-23, which way of loving others do you want to improve in and why?

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Looking at this same list, how do you typically show love for others?

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Of the many ways of expressing love, how do you prefer others show their love for you?

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Relook at the article, “For Real, Be a Safe Person,” on page 25. Share a time when you were hurting, opened your heart, and then someone said or did something that made you feel worse! What did they say? (So, you can avoid making that same mistake towards others,)

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Recall a time when you opened your heart, were vulnerable in your sharing and the person who listened to you made you feel comforted and safe. What did they say or do that made you feel you could trust them and that you felt understood?

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What qualities make a good friend?

ACTIVITIES THE LISTENING EAR Materials Needed: • chart paper • marker Instructions: 1.

Discuss the difficulty in being a good listener—that active listening takes practice and that we must learn the skill and art of listening. We can always grow in improving our listening skills!

2.

As a group, brainstorm the actions that a good listener does and doesn’t do (such as eye contact, not being on their phone etc.) and record their ideas on the chart paper.

3.

Share that today you will give them two tools to practice in active listening—which are: 1. REPHRASING: Learn to rephrase what the person just said in your own words.

2. REFLECTING BACK FEELINGS: Use a phrase to affirm and rephrase what you think they are feeling.

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4.

Emphasize that the rule is, they cannot comment, give advice, or say anything else aside from rephrasing or reflecting back feelings. Explain that using these two skills takes focus and effort!

5.

Call up a volunteer to partner with you to model what you want them to do. You and your volunteer should face each other while sitting in chairs in front of the group.

6.

Have the volunteer share about a problem or concern they have. (They can make one up.)

BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL

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As a leader, during the natural pauses in the conversation, rephrase back to the volunteer what you are hearing, such as, “So you are saying that you went to the store and then…” If you want to, you can ask, “Is what I said accurate?”

8.

During the activity, reflect their feelings back to them using appropriate phrases such as, “It seems that you are feeling very sad and disappointed about what happened,” or “It sounds like that really angered you.”

9.

Have the group break into pairs and have them practice being the listener and the person sharing a problem or concern. Give them 5 minutes (or longer) for each round.

10. Discuss as a group how that experience was for them.

11.

Encourage them to practice these two active listening skills in their conversations to help the other person feel listened to and valued.

APPRECIATION NOTES Materials Needed • pencils • stationary for each participant • (optional) peaceful instrumental worship music • (optional) music player/speaker Instructions 1.

Have participants write a letter of love/affirmation to a friend that was placed in their inner circle of friends on page 27. Encourage them to express their love and appreciation to this person. Music can be played while the girls are writing.

2.

Another option is to have participants write a letter of love/affirmation to themselves. Ask them to consider all the gifts God has blessed them with that they love and appreciate about themselves and how they could use these gifts to share God's love with others.

3.

If participants are somewhat well acquainted with each other, ask them to either verbally share or write on paper the God-given gifts, talents, skills, and blessings that they appreciate about each member of the group.

FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES Materials Needed • A copy of the Five Love Language Quiz for each person (you should be able to easily find a free downloadable quiz online) • pen/pencil Instructions 1.

Have each person take the 5 Love Languages quiz.

2.

Have each person share their top two main love languages. It can be fun to learn more about the best way to express love to friends and family in the ways they best receive love.

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SHE GIVES

JOURNEY 03 • PAGE 30~36

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS •

What does it mean to be generous?

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What is the most generous gift you have received? Who did you receive it from? Why is it special to you?

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God gave all of us an extremely generous gift—the gift of forgiveness through Jesus Christ, His Son. How does this gift express God's love for you?

ACTIVITIES APPRECIATION NOTES Materials Needed: • paper and pencil for each participant Instructions: 1.

Ask each participant to generate a list of gifts for others that do not cost any money.

2.

Ask each participant to share their list and create a group list of gift ideas.

3.

If participants are fairly well acquainted with each other, they could do a gift exchange. Ask each participant to pick a name from “a hat.” The participant gives a gift that must be created from the heart to express their love and appreciation for the recipient at the next meeting.

BAKED GOODIES Materials Needed: • recipe and ingredients for a baked good of choice (like cookies, brownies etc.)

• utensils and dishes needed • packing materials Instructions:

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1.

During the meeting prior to doing this activity, brainstorm as a group and create a list of people or groups of people you could bless with baked goods (such as the elderly in your church, a needy family, an organization that houses the homeless, or the local fire station etc.)

2.

During the meeting prior to doing this activity, also decide on the baked good that the group wants to provide.

3.

As a group, follow the recipe and prepare and package the baked goodies.

4.

The group can also create tags or notes with encouraging words on them for each bag of goodies.

5.

If possible, deliver the goodies to the recipients as a group.

6.

Debrief as a group any take aways from this activity as related to being generous.

BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL

HOLIDAY GENEROSITY Materials Needed: • Make a list of materials needed depending on what holiday gifts or project the group decided on. The project can be as small and simple, or as large as the group decides. The ability to commit their time is a determining factor in how big or small to go. (Examples: You can look into coordinating Samaritan’s Purse Shoe Box Gift Giving for Christmas (Operation Christmas Child), or make Valentine gifts for the patients in a local elderly care home etc.)

Instructions: 1.

As a group (or even parent/mentor and teen girl pair) plan and implement this holiday project that demonstrates generosity with a holiday theme.

2.

Ask God for creative ideas and be creative and innovative!

3.

Debrief the experience after the project is completed.

RADICAL GENEROSITY Materials Needed: • Look up ‘Acts of Generosity’ or ‘Big Tips for Servers’ on YouTube and find a great clip of generosity in action that you can show in your group meeting. There are some great clips of customers giving waiters or waitresses huge tips that are very moving.

• The movie, The Ultimate Gift Instructions: 1.

Discuss how generosity is not necessarily about the amount given, but it’s about attitude. For example, someone who has very little but gives much of that they have, can be considered very generous.

Sometimes we might imagine that if we had MORE money, then we could be more generous. In reality, if you aren’t generous with a little, you won’t be generous if you have a lot. Generosity is a heart issue.

2.

As a leader, give examples of generosity you have experienced in your life.

3.

Share I Timothy 6:18 NLT, “Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” Discuss how whether we consider ourselves wealthy or not, we can be generous and giving! In some countries, the poor will serve all they have to feed a guest in their home!

4.

Watch the YouTube video showing radical generosity that you prepared. Discuss take-aways.

5.

Watch the movie, The Ultimate Gift and discuss take aways.

6.

As an optional application—the next time you go out as a group for a snack, practice radical generosity and give a HUGE unexpected tip to the server as you feel led, along with words of affirmation and gratitude! Discuss take-aways from that experience. As a leader, you could pay the tip or ask if any of the teens want to contribute a portion to bless the server.

21

SHE DREAMS

JOURNEY 03 • PAGE 40~47

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS •

What is something that excites you? What is something you can do this week or this month to take step toward exploring this?

•

The burdens of our heart can spur us to dream of a better world—and perhaps God may be calling us to those very areas where we can be part of the solution. Share 1-2 issues in your community or world that especially burdens you and share why. (Examples: homelessness, political corruption, racism—anything that really concerns you)

•

What are 1-3 fun dreams you have? (travel to a certain place, bungee jump etc.)

•

What is one dream you have for your future?

ACTIVITIES DREAM MOBILE Materials Needed: • hanger for each girl • assorted colors of yarn • beads/feathers • cardstock paper (can be various colors of cardstock or thicker scrapbooking paper) • color markers/color pencils/crayons

• scissors • hole puncher • glue • peaceful Instrumental worship music • music player/speaker

Instructions: 1.

Play peaceful instrumental worship music.

2.

Ask each girl to think of dreams they currently have for themselves and to pray about dreams that God may have for them.

3.

Ask each girl to draw a picture or write a word to represent each of their dreams, cut and decorate their paper and tie it onto their hanger to create their Dream Mobile.

4.

If time permits, ask girls to share their Dream Mobiles.

JAR OF DREAMS Materials Needed: • glass jar for each girl • assorted colored strips of paper 1” x 2” • permanent Markers • glitter, various embellishments like rhinestones found in craft stores.

• craft glue • (optional) pretty printed tissue paper or

22

BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL

paper napkins and matte MOD PODGE (MOD PODGE is typically found in craft stores or on Amazon) with brushes and scissors • peaceful instrumental worship music • music player/speaker • (optional) glitter glue

Instructions: 1.

Play peaceful instrumental worship music.

2.

Ask each girl to think of dreams they currently have for themselves and to ask our Heavenly Father about the dreams that He may have for them.

3.

Ask each girl to write each of their dreams on a different strip of paper then add it to their Jar of Dreams. If they need assistance thinking about their dreams, you might prompt them to think about their dreams for their career, extracurricular activities, family, living location, etc.

4.

Have the participants decorate their jar with glitter and/or embellishments

5.

Optional: If you provided pretty, printed tissue paper or paper napkins and MOD PODGE, have participants cut out the designs they want (like printed flowers) and with a brush and MOD PODGE, participants can decoupage their jar. (The MOD PODGE will dry clear.) Check out YouTube for how tos.

Adding embellishments after decoupaging is optional.

DREAMING BIG Materials Needed:

• laptop or smart phone for each participant

Instructions: 1.

Discuss the power and practice of dreaming big and looking at possibilities.

2.

Go over a few verses of your choice that encourages dreaming and yet affirms God’s great plans and purposes for each person. Discuss that we also want to be grounded in biblical heart attitudes. Here are some possible verses: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” Romans 12:2 ESV “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” Luke 18:27 ESV

3.

Discuss that there are many people living now or in history who have dreamt big and have accomplished so much because of their ability to have vision despite their circumstances.

Such people can inspire us to dream big as well.

4.

Give each person about 20 minutes to search on the internet for a person they know of who accomplished a dream they had and read about their journey.

5.

Have each girl share in the large group some fast inspirational facts about the person they read about.

BUCKET LIST Materials Needed: • paper and pen

Instructions: 1.

Have each person spend a few minutes creating a bucket list of 10 things they would like to do in their life.

2.

Have a time of sharing 1-3 things from their list with others.

3.

Discuss how we may not achieve in doing everything on our list, but God has a way of surprising and blessing us—He cares what is in our hearts!

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SHE CREATES

JOURNEY 03 • PAGE 48~55

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS •

Many people relate the word creativity only to the arts. However, every person is creative in their own unique way. What do you like to do to express your creative side? Solve problems? Create systems and organization? Play a musical instrument? Sing? Dance? Invent? Paint? Doodle? Bake? Write? Work on Arts/Crafts? Strategize?

•

Expressing our creativity and innovation requires RISK! People may judge you, your idea may not work, or other challenges may arise. Do you sometimes hold back in expressing your ideas or acting on a creative idea or are you a natural risk taker and love the challenge? What tends to keep you from taking risks?

•

What do you do to get into your creative/innovative zone?

•

IBM conducted a survey in 2020 involving 1500 CEOs of businesses in 60 countries and in 33 industries to find out what they believed was the #1 key to success. Guess what! CREATIVITY ranked #1 above having vision and management abilities. Why do you think creativity is so important to have a successful business?

ACTIVITIES READ ALOUD STORY Materials Needed: • read aloud website or hard copy of the book "Ish" • peaceful instrumental worship music • music player/speaker Instructions: •

Google A Read Aloud or borrow the book, "Ish" by Peter Reynolds (This is a story about a little boy who doesn't think his work is perfect enough to display and throws out his drawings. His sister picks up all of his discarded work and displays them because they are ___ish. The little boy realizes that it's ok to not be perfect and instead appreciates and values being -ish.)

•

Discuss: • Which character do you relate the most to? Why? • What do you think the characters learned?

• What lesson do you think the author wants you to remember?

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•

Put on quiet, reflective music and ask the girls to listen to what God is inspiring them to create—a song, dance, picture, recipe, poem, etc.

•

Ask for volunteers to share their creation.

BRAVE & BEAUTIFUL

INSPIRED PAINTING Materials Needed: • acrylic paints • paper plates or plastic paint palates • canvases (you can find good deals at Walmart or stores as Ross) • brushes

• worship music • (optional) pencils • paper towels • cups with water to rinse brushes for each person

Instructions: •

Explain that everyone will be painting something that God inspires them to paint after a short time of prayer.

•

Have the group close their eyes as they spend a couple minutes asking the Lord to give them a picture of something that expresses either how He sees her symbolically or expresses an encouraging message.

•

Have them put a few dollops of various paint colors of their choice onto their plate or palate to begin with and have them start painting.

•

Play worship music.

•

Have a time of sharing their painting, the meaning behind it, affirming everyone’s creation!

INNOVATION Materials Needed • A large box of drinking straws for each group of 2-3 people • A bag of larger “T” pins for each team Instructions 1.

Discuss that creativity spans beyond the arts and is needed in business, every single career and industry. Have the group brainstorm and call out examples of creativity and innovation in action in non-artistic work. For example, creativity and innovation is vital in: - Construction work - Medical surgery - Plumbing

- Science research - Architect - Engineering

- Computer programming

2.

Brainstorm ways that we all create every day and don’t realize it! Creativity is at work in many activities and we can ask God to help inspire us—as He is the most wildly creative, innovative God! Some examples to get the ideas flowing are: creating a text with or without emojis, make a sandwich, solve a math problem, fixing something that broke, planning an event, writing a paper etc.

3.

Discuss how creativity and innovation can increase when you collaborate with others for ideas and solutions. Break up the group into groups of 2-3 and give each a box of straws and pins.

4.

Explain that they will be given 20 minutes to build the tallest structure that is able to stand tall and not collapse using the straws and pins to attach them together.

5.

When time is up, have fun looking at everyone’s creations!

6.

Discuss what were their take-aways regarding creativity at work in the activity?

25

SHE ARISES

JOURNEY 03 • PAGE 56~72

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS •

What would you like us to pray for as you arise?

•

How do you see God calling you to arise and how can we support you?

•

Share your personal vision statement from page 67.

ARISE ACTIVITY Materials Needed: • 6 pieces of paper per participant • 1 large poster board size paper per participant • pencils/markers/crayons/colored pencils

• • • •

scissors glue soaking/meditation music music player/speaker

Instructions: •

Open this time with a prayer for the girls to feel God's peace and encouragement as they arise.

•

Play soaking/meditation music.

•

Give each participant 3 pieces of paper. On each paper, have the girls write about something they want to overcome and rise above. When done, have them crumple and throw away each paper.

•

Give each participant 3 new pieces of paper and ask them to write down things that they look forward to aspiring toward. Have them glue these onto a larger poster board paper, decorate it, and place it someplace in their room, home, etc. where they will be able to see it daily and be reminded of who they are arising and aspiring to be!

ACTIVITIES WORD PICTURES Materials Needed: • journal • word picture samples (found on Google) • computers/printers if available

Instructions: •

Explain to the girls, “Ask God to share a specific word that reflects an area that He is growing you in.

Pick a positive attribute or character trait. As you arise, you will shine Jesus’ light to the world even brighter! Write the word in your journal.”

•

Next, have the girls ask the Lord to show them a picture of something in their mind that could symbolize that word. For example, maybe the word ‘kindness’ came to mind. A person might be inspired with a picture of a bunny rabbit which represents that gentle, soft kindness that is highlighted.

•

Explain, “The picture you receive will remind/reinforce/establish what God is growing in you.”

•

If computers are available, visit: https://wordart.com to create a word cloud as another creative way to visualize the way one is arising and growing. If using this style of word art, then each girl can write down additional related words to represent that area they are arising in.

REMINDER MUGS Materials Needed • dishwasher Safe MOD PODGE (available online, Amazon, craft stores)

they want to type and print out for their project during this craft time.

• flat brushes

• (optional) Scrapbooking sheet that already has many various positive sayings to cut out. In this case, the girls can simply choose and cut out their favorite saying.

• scissors • cardstock, scrapbooking paper • (optional) glitter

• white mugs, one per participant (mugs can purchased online or at Dollar stores make sure they are clean, and wipe with alcohol to remove any oils or grime)

• Pre-printed quotes, Bible verses, that have to do with arising forth. It could be along any of the themes covered in the Brave and Beautiful Journey. They must be sized to decorate a mug with. *Or if possible, have a laptop and printer available so girls can search for 1-2 quotes or scripture

• Laptop to watch a YouTube Video on ‘How to make mugs with dishwasher safe MOD PODGE.’

Instructions •

Discuss how we all need reminders to walk out the themes in Brave & Beautiful—discuss how growth and change is a process! Explain how the project today is about decorating a mug with a favorite quote or scripture that will help them to stay the course.

•

Introduce this project by watching a YouTube on how to use Dishwasher Safe MOD PODGE.

•

Give the participants time to create their mug.

•

Have a time of sharing what they created and why they chose their particular quote or verse.

Celebrate everyone’s creation.

•

Encourage the girls that they can use their mugs to drink or as a container for pens or anything!

The purpose of this mug is to remind them of a truth or encouragement to live by!

LETTER TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF Materials Needed • lined paper or journal for each person

•

pens

Instructions •

Discuss that as each girl has matured over the years, each of them has gained new insights that they didn’t have when they were 5 or 8 years old in elementary school. Each of them has grown and is arising forth in many ways.

•

Ask each girl to reflect about who they were as a little girl.

•

Explain that they are going to do an activity that can be an interesting way to discover the wisdom they now have—all part of the arising process. Explain that they are to write an encouraging letter to their younger self.

•

Discuss how their younger self had an innocence and a childlike way of viewing the world. Explain that sometimes our childhood holds good memories, and some may have sad, even traumatic memories.

Regardless, their older self has gained new insights about life and God over the years.

•

Have each girl write a short encouraging letter to their younger self. Have them express loving affirmation to that ‘little girl’ and encouraging words to persevere, knowing there is a rising up that is happening in later years!

NOTES

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