Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Team Manual Fiftth Edition

By Jimmy Ray Lee, D. Min.

Communications should be addressed to:

Living Free Ministries, Inc.

P. O. Box 22127

Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Website: www.livingfree.org

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version.® Copyright ©1972, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. ©Living Free Ministries, Inc. 1989, 1996, 2001, 2007, 2014, 2017.

All rights reserved.

No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the Living Free Ministries. (NOTE: This Core Team Manual may be reproduced for use within your congregation only. Exception: We have no authority to give permission for reproduction of materials copyrighted by other authors.)

ISBN 1-58119-000-X

®

Cover & Layout: Louise Lee

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

TEAM manual C

ontents

Page First Things First . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 What This Ministry Is Really All About. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Beginning a Living Free Ministry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Beginning a Living Free Ministry in Your Local Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 How Living Free Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Living Free Structure in a Typical Local Church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Year One Timeline: A Bird’s-Eye View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Visual Timeline of Year One. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Living Free Small Group Flow Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Why New Ministries in Local Churches Fail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Overcoming Obstacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Living Free Benefits Your Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 First Step: Build a Core Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Why a Core Team Is Needed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Assembling a Core Team. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Responsibilities and Tools for the Core Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Initial Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 First Core Team Activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 What Should Happen at Core Team Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Second Step: Develop Small Group Leaders (Facilitators). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Characteristics and Qualities of Effective Small Group Facilitators. . . . . . . . 38 Identifying Potential Facilitators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Training Facilitators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Tips for Facilitators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Facilitator Principles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Confidentiality in Small Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Suggested Group Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 The Biblical Basis for Living Free Small Group Model. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Clues That a Person Needs Professional Counseling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Third Step: Launch Insight Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Launch Insight Groups Churchwide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Insight Group Curriculum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Insight Group Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Correlation Between Facilitator Guide and Group Member Guide . . . . . . . 58 —Continued on next page

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Contents (continued)

Fourth Step: Launch Free to Grow Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Free to Grow Group Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Free to Grow Group Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Continuation: Keeping the Ministry Alive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Support Group Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 After the First Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Support: How to Contact Us for Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 How Living Free Supports Your Efforts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Living Free Feedback. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Participants Opinion Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Facilitators Opinion Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How to Order More Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

72 74 77 79 81

Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Matching Curriculum to Support Groups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Introduction Letter for All Participants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

First Things First

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Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

What This Ministry Is Really All About Living Free is a ministry that can have a positive impact on your

total church family. It does not focus only on those persons with the most desperate needs but rather ministers to the whole church. Most churches can be described by what we call the 20-60-20 ratio. Twenty percent of the people will thrive in life and their walk with Christ no matter what comes their way. Sixty percent of the people struggle with issues from time to time but at least outwardly seem to have it together.

Twenty percent of the people are hanging by a thread, their lives are chaotic, and they struggle openly with life-controlling problems. Many are surprised to learn that our focus at Living Free is not on the most desperate but rather on the whole church. If we focus only on the most desperate, we will become isolated from the majority of people who are struggling in our churches in less obvious ways. When we concentrate on helping the entire church and include the sixty percent and both the twenty percents in the process, everyone benefits and the whole church is strengthened.

“Remember that some men’s sins are obvious and are equally obvious bringing them into judgment. The sins of other men are not apparent, but are dogging them, nevertheless, under the surface. Similarly, some virtues are plain to see, while others, though not at all conspicuous, will eventually become known” (1 Timothy 5:24-25 Phillips).

In your work as a Core Team leader, you may sometimes become discouraged, and you may sometimes feel overworked and frustrated.

At those times remember that it is the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you and in others that can transform lives. You are not in this alone. The very Spirit of God dwells in you.

We Want to Help This material has been written to help you—the Core Team of Living Free in the local church. We want to help you minister as effectively as possible to the churched and the unchurched members of your community. It is our prayer that this tool will sharpen and guide your efforts to help people who suffer from the downward spirals of lifecontrolling problems.

First Things First 2

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

What This Ministry Is Really All About—Continued

Please Remember The Living Free Ministry is not a substitute for medical or psychological care. You must be very careful never to advise participants to stop taking medication or to stop seeing their doctor.

As caring people who want to be channels of Christ’s love to those who are hurting and desire wholeness in Christ, you can give your time, compassion, and love; but as a non-credentialed person, you can never promise to offer professional psychological expertise. ❖

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Beginning a Living Free Ministry

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Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Beginning a Living Free Ministry in Your Local Church Living Free’s purpose is to provide Christ-centered small

group training and focused discipleship curriculum through local churches to help people turn to God and His resources when dealing with life’s problems. Living Free provides your church with a model program which gives training and support to a group of lay people for on-going ministry.

A group of lay people in your church has been identified by the pastor and trained by Living Free to work with youth, adults, and families within the church. These people will become members of what we call the Core Team. This team is trained to develop and operate your church’s Living Free ministry. They will oversee small groups and report to the pastor.

This manual is designed to provide direction, ideas, support, and information to the Core Team. ❖

Beginning a Living Free Ministry 6

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

How Living Free Works You or others from your church have already participated in the

Living Free video training series. It will be helpful to refer back to segment 10 of Living Free for ongoing implementation support. Your Core Team is not yet finalized. The next step is to meet together for 9 weeks and go through the Insight Group curriculum. Others who could not participate in the Living Free video training series may be included, though it would be good for them to participate in the training at some point. We believe that by going through the Insight Group yourself, you will gain necessary firsthand small group experience and be able to help other members of the congregation feel more comfortable about joining an Insight Group.

After you have completed the curriculum for the Insight Group, you should finalize the Core Team and divide up the responsibilities of launching Living Free in your church. We suggest the Core Team contain at least ten members. All Core Team members must have gone through an Insight Group.

The success of Living Free in the local church depends on a group of steadfast, committed, and enthusiastic Core Team members. â?–

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Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

DVD Training Kit Prepare your congregation to minister to today’s addictive culture Through Living Free, your church or ministry can unleash a fresh wave of small group leaders. A Coordinator’s Guide and Participant’s Guide have been designed so that you will receive maximum benefit from the Living Free video-based training.

This high impact, video-based training covers:

At the end of this training, you will have the knowledge and practical strategies necessary to better:

SEGMENT ONE

• Understand life-controlling issues—how they develop and the impact they have on individuals and families.

• Prevent life-controlling problems or deal with them in your own life.

• Help others with life-controlling issues. If you decide to become a facilitator of a Turning Point small group, this training will help equip

you to lead a small group effectively.

• Establish an ongoing Living Free Ministry.

Defining Life-Controlling Problems This segment introduces the concept of life-controlling problems.

Using powerful personal vignettes, it explains how Living Free can help people break free of these issues, whether it is you or someone you know.

SEGMENT TWO

Mastered and Trapped by Issues We identify the type of strongholds that can master our lives. The four stages of developing life-controlling problems and the relationship between denial and delusion are explained.

SEGMENT THREE

Walls of Protection You will see how a deluded person uses defenses to suppress feelings and the cycle that develops when people are deluded and hiding.

SEGMENT FOUR

Family Influences This segment focuses on family dynamics and how they often contribute to life-controlling problems.

SEGMENT FIVE

Helping or Harming In this segment, you will learn to identify signs of enabling and codependency.

SEGMENT SIX

The Small Group Strategy Living Free DVD Training Kit Includes Training Coordinator’s Guide Participant’s Guide 2 DVDs

You will learn how the Living Free small group strategy can help people overcome life-controlling problems by providing help from the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God. SEGMENT SEVEN

• 8 segments designed to train group leaders The segments include the dynamics of life-controlling problems, support group strategies, launching your ministry, and more (see back).

• Compatible with all LivingFreeTM studies • Flexible training format 6 to 8 hours can be spread over a few weeks, one weekend, or a one-day event.

• Access to additional resources online. www.livingfree.org

Effective Facilitation and Communication We outline the skills necessary to be an effective small group facilitator and discuss eight core conditions of helping.

SEGMENT EIGHT

Launching a Living Free Ministry The essentials for launching and maintaining a Living Free ministry in your own church or setting are presented.

Beginning a Living Free Ministry 8

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

A Quick Overview How Would a Living Free Ministry Work in My Local Church? you can start a Living Free ministry in your church by taking four simple steps:

1. Offer the Living Free training to interested persons in your congregation. The segments of this video provide valuable information to people who want to learn more about preventing and overcoming life-controlling problems. They are especially helpful in surfacing and training potential Living Free group facilitators.

How It Works

1

Living Free Held

Potential facilitators and interested persons participate in the Living Free Video Training.

Core Team Formed

Potential facilitators and lay leaders form a Core Team.

3 4

Insight Group Offered

2. Form a Core Team. After the training, facilitators and other interested lay leaders will work as a team (we call it a Core Team) to develop small groups that address life-controlling issues.

Segment 8 of this training walks you through the Core Team concept and the steps to implementing a Living Free ministry in your church.

3. Have the Core Team participate in an Insight Group.

Upon completion of the Insight Group, facilitators will invite others to participate in the Insight Group and subsequent groups.

4. Establish groups that meet people at their point of need. The Insight Group should be the first group offered.

Your training coordinator has a current catalog listing our curriculum.

F acilitators and Core Team members participate in an Insight Group.

All other interested persons enroll in an Insight Group.

Small Groups Established

After the Insight Group, participants enroll in groups.

With a Core Team established and small groups up and running, Living Free will become an ongoing ministry in your church to meet the specific needs of your congregation and community.

The Insight Group provides an excellent training ground for potential facilitators of small groups. In this group, new facilitators can experience and put into practice concepts and skills learned from the training.

If you have any questions about this training or about Living Free Ministries, please call us at 1-800-879-4770 or visit our website at www.livingfree.org. â?–

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Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Living Free Structure In a Typical Local Church Minister Living Free Core Team Coordinator Communications Coordinator(s) Outreach Coordinator(s)

Core Team 10+ people

Intercessory Prayer Group Coordinator(s)

Insight Group(s) Facilitators

Free to Grow Group(s) Facilitators

Support Group(s) Facilitators While ten is an adequate number of Core Team members, your church may have a smaller or While ten is an adequate number of Core Team members, your church may have a smaller or larger Core Team depending on the availability of volunteers and the size of your church.

Insight Groups: For everyone struggling with or affected by lifecontrolling problems, for those who want to remain free from life-controlling problems, for those who want to learn how lifecontrolling problems develop.

Free to Grow Groups: Designed to help free participants of hinderances or setbacks that have arrested or are presently hindering their spiritual growth.

Support Groups: For Insight Group and Free to Grow Group graduates who desire continued help in small groups.

Intercessory Prayer Group: For people who will pray for the ministry as a whole as well as for specific individuals.

Prevention: For resource people who help others encourage young people to avoid developing life-controlling problems.

Communications: For people who will promote Living Free in the church and in the community.

Beginning a Living Free Ministry 10

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Year One Timeline: A Bird’s-Eye View This one-year timeline is a guide intended to help you schedule training and group sessions for Living Free.

Month One

1

— Participate in Living Free video training — Buy or order materials — Core Team goes through Insight Group

Months One-Three

1-3

— Finalize members of Core Team — Prepare first Insight Group facilitator and co-facilitator

Month Four

4

— Divide responsibilities for ministry among Core Team members — Publicize upcoming Insight Group through pulpit announcement and bulletin insert — Launch first Insight Group

Month Five

5

— Prepare second Insight Group facilitator and co facilitator — Prepare first Free to Grow facilitator and co facilitator

Month Six

6

— Launch second Insight Group* — Launch first Free to Grow Group

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

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Year One Time Line—Continued Month Seven

7

— Launch third Insight Group* — Launch second Free to Grow Group**

Month Eight

8

— Continue launching additional Insight Groups as needed — Continue launching additional Free to Grow Groups as needed

Months Nine - Twelve

9-12

— Continue to prepare Free to Grow facilitators and co-facilitators — Prepare Support Group facilitators and co-facilitators — Continue to prepare Insight Group facilitators and co-facilitators — Begin first Support Group for graduates of both an Insight group and a Free to Grow Group who need more help in a special area — Launch additional Support Groups as necessary — Recruit and train new Core Team leaders with Living Free (as needed).***

*Optional—Start additional Insight Groups as needed. We suggest that new members not be added to a group after the second week, so you will need to stagger the starting times of your groups. **Optional—Start additional Free to Grow Groups as needed. We suggest that new members not be added to a group after the second week, so you will need to stagger the starting times of your groups. ***As the ministry grows, you will need to recruit and train new Core Team members.

— Launch third Insight Group*

Beginning a Living Free Ministry 12

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Visual Timeline of Year One t Prepare second Insight

Group facilitator and co-facilitator t Prepare first Free to Grow Group facilitator and co-facilitator

n

t Continue launching additional

Insight groups as needed t Continue launching additional

Free to Grow groups as needed

t Divide responsibilities for ministry

among Core Team

n

t Publicize upcoming Insight Group

through pulpit announcement and bulletin insert t Prepare first Insight Group facilitator and co-facilitator t Launch first Insight Group

n t Continue to prepare Free to Grow

t Participate in Living Free

Group facilitators and co-facilitators

t Launch second

Training t Buy Materials t Core Team goes through Insight Group

t Prepare Support Group facilitators

Insight Group

and co-facilitators

t Launch first Free to

t Continue to prepare Insight Group

Grow Group

facilitators and co-facilitators

n

n

t Begin first Support Group for grad-

uates of both an Insight Group and a Free to Grow Group who need nore help in a special area t Launch additional Support Group as necessary t Recruit and train new Core Team leaders (as needed)

t Finalize Core Team t Prepare first Insight

Group facilitator and cofacilitator

n

n

t Launch third

n

Insight Group

t Launch second Free

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

to Grow Group

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Month

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Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Through a local church Core Team (ministry team) based on the Living Free Training Video (Session 8) and the Living Free Team Manual.

Beginning a Living Free Ministry 14

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Why New Ministries in Local Churches Fail Launching a new ministry in your church is not easy. It will take a lot of time and effort. In the back of your mind, you may be wondering, “What if we fail?” We want to help you succeed by making you aware of some reasons ministries fail and helping you avoid these mistakes.

A ministry may fail because . . .

The pastor (or pastoral staff) did not endorse it in public and did not show up at early meetings to encourage and develop a vision for the ministry. → “I’m too busy to go to another meeting.”

We encourage pastors to participate in the Living Free training where they will catch a spirit of enthusiasm for this ministry. We also remind pastors that the whole idea behind Living Free is lay ministry. Once the ministry is established, the pastor should have to devote less of his time to counseling.

It did not really meet a need. → “Our people need this whether they like it or not.”

Before you try to launch Living Free in your church, be sure you have talked to at least a handful of people who are eager to participate in the ministry.

It was poorly organized. → “Let’s just get together for a few minutes before church.”

We have provided this manual to help you avoid this problem.

Read it carefully. We encourage you to carefully think through each step of your ministry before you begin.

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

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Why New Ministries in Local Churches Fail—Continued

The people involved were not thoroughly committed. → “That seems like a lot of work.”

As you are selecting people for your Core Team, be very specific about the time they will need to invest. (See Assembling a Core Team on page 23.) Also, be sure these people thoroughly understand Living Free.

It was poorly communicated. → “We can’t afford to print anything else.”

Word of mouth costs nothing. If you cannot afford printing costs, you can still promote Living Free through verbal announcements from the pulpit. Core Team members can also make announcements in Sunday school classes. To be sure that everyone will hear the same information, you may want to use a standard announcement. (See page 32 for an example.) ❖

Beginning a Living Free Ministry 16

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Overcoming Obstacles Anytime a church launches a new ministry, problems are sure

to arise. You can be sure Satan is eager to thwart your efforts to help people know Christ’s hope and healing. We want to help you recognize some potential problems and show you how you can overcome these obstacles.

1

Gaining credibility

Initially, you may face the challenge of getting people to attend your first Insight Group. Some people will take the wait-andsee approach. They may need support, but it may take time to gain their confidence. We suggest you follow the steps in Initial Promotion on pages 32-33.

2

Misconceptions about the program and the labeling of those who attend

In your initial promotion of Living Free, you should be very careful not to give the impression that Living Free is only for weak or addicted people. It is important not to label participants. Living Free is for everyone. For help promoting the ministry as it is beginning, see the section titled Initial Promotion on pages 32-33.

3

Finding qualified leaders

An ongoing challenge of running a Living Free ministry in your church will be finding enough small group leaders to cover the needed number of small groups. One key responsibility of the Core Team (leadership) of Living Free in your church will be the constant cultivation and development of new small group leaders. For help in this area, see the section titled Developing Small Group Leaders beginning on page 37.

4

Stalls in activity

If you wait for the end of one Insight Group before you begin thinking about the leadership and starting date for the next one, you will be too late. To avoid such starts and stops in the ministry, we suggest regular Core Team meetings in which members regularly address the issues of leadership and planning. For help in this area, see Developing Small Group Leaders beginning on page 37 and Year One—A Bird’s-Eye View on pages 11-12.

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

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Overcoming Obstacles—Continued

5

Lack of study material for Support Groups

As the ministry matures, you will want to develop Support Groups that deal with specific areas of need. Living Free has not developed curriculum for every conceivable problem but has instead suggested a tested and proven model for how a Small Group meeting ought to run. You can work with a large number of quality resource materials to create specialized curriculum to meet special needs. For help in this area, see pages 63-70. â?–

Beginning a Living Free Ministry 18

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Living Free Benefits Your Church The time and effort you invest in developing a Living Free ministry in your church is time well-spent. The ministry will benefit your church in many ways.

•

It will equip your church to deal with society’s greatest need.

•

It will train your lay people to deal with life-controlling problems in a positive way.

•

It will teach believers how to offer Christian love and support to people who may otherwise look to other sources for comfort and help.

•

It will help your church be salt and light in a dark world.

•

It will help you fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples.

•

It will be a strong evangelistic outreach for your church if used correctly.

•

It is flexible enough to meet the particular needs of your church.

•

It is fully owned and controlled by church members and the pastor. ❖

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Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

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Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

First Step: Build a Core Team

21 Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Why a Core Team Is Needed It is impractical to think the ministerial staff alone can deal with

the hurts and staggering needs that most congregations face. In truth, this work should be the responsibility of the entire local body of Christ. Churches in New Testament days were built on the assumption that believers would minister to each other. We can learn from this example and become people-helpers.

Following the example of Christ’s earthly ministry, Living Free believes in a team approach to ministry. In Mark 3:14, we read: “He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.”

We feel there is strength in numbers. A team of people dividing up the responsibilities of helping hurting people can help more efficiently than one person who is trying to do everything. Helping people with life-controlling problems is a big job—too big for one person.

The team approach to ministry not only benefits those who are being helped, but it also benefits those who are doing the helping. As you serve Christ on a Living Free Core Team, you will experience the joy of helping others, and you will also experience the encouragement and support of your fellow team members.

What a comfort to know that others are there to help you with tough problems, to encourage you to be faithful to your calling, and to pray for you specifically. ❖

First Step: Build a Core Team 22

Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Assembling a Core Team

Now that several members of your church have participated in the

Living Free video training series and gone through an Insight Group, you are ready to build a Core Team. (We suggest you look for two people to facilitate each function of the Core Team. Obviously, you will have to adjust that number to fit your own situation.) We suggest you follow these steps as you assemble a Core Team:

1

Look for people who are:

. . . Enthusiastic about the ministry

. . . Obvious leaders (see page 42)

. . . Compassionate

. . . Good listeners

. . . Not afraid of a time commitment All members must attend Core Team meetings twice a month. Each member will need to invest additional time depending on responsibilities. Group leaders can expect to spend one to two hours each week on preparation in addition to leading a one-hour and 15-minute weekly meeting. Facilitators of communications, intercessory prayer, and prevention groups can expect to invest an additional hour or two each week. . . . Ready to be participants, not spectators . . . People of prayer

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Assembling A Core Team—Continued

2

To fill the specific responsibilities of the Core Team, look for these characteristics:

For a Core Team Coordinator, look for an organizer and delegator. This person loves to organize people and projects and is probably a list maker. A delegator knows when to ask for help and whom to ask.

For Prevention Coordinator, look for an idea person and a resource person. This person is full of suggestions for everything from family Christmas gifts to raising funds for the homeless. A resource person loves the library and takes joy in matching a person with a helpful book.

For an Intercessory Prayer Coordinator, look for a faithful prayer warrior. This person does not just talk about prayer, he/she does it daily because he/she believes prayer makes a difference.

For a Communications Coordinator, look for a good communicator. This is someone who does not mind standing in front of others and giving a short motivating announcement.

For Insight Group, Free to Grow, and Support Group Facilitators, look for someone with the characteristics described on pages 38-39. These are people who have been through an Insight Group. As Living Free grows in your church, you will need new leaders frequently. Be sure they are Insight Group graduates. â?–

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Responsibilities and Tools for the Core Team

Member:

Core Team Coordinator Name:___________________________

Responsibilities:

▼ Hold monthly Core Team meetings.

▼ Prepare agenda for each meeting.

▼ Keep updated records (names of team members, names of group facilitators, records of each group—when they start and when they finish).

▼ Accountable to church leadership.

▼ Prepare the agenda for each Core Team meeting.

▼ Order or designate a person to order curriculum, etc.

▼ Plan the calendar.

▼ Coordinate small groups.

▼ Plan “socials” with Core Team.

Tools:

Living Free Video Training Series

■ Core Team Manual

■ Insight Group Facilitator’s Guide

■ Insight Group Member Guide

■ Free to Grow Group Facilitator’s Guide

■ Free to Grow Group Member Guide

■ Small Group Skills Guide

■ Prevention Resource Guide ■

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Responsibilities and Tools for the Core Team—Continued

Member:

Prevention Coordinator

Name:___________________________

Name:___________________________

Responsibilities:

▼

Provide programs and/or program material for Sunday school classes, youth groups, parents, etc.

▼ Provide programs for community outreach.

▼ Distribute resource materials for congregation. (Prevention efforts should maintain a high visibility.)

▼ Attend Core Team meetings.

Tools:

Living Free Prevention Resource Guide

■ Contact national Living Free office for additional list of resources.

■

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Responsibilities and Tools for the Core Team—Continued

Member:

Intercessory Prayer Group

Name:___________________________ Name:___________________________ Name:___________________________ Name:___________________________ Name:___________________________ Name:___________________________ Name:___________________________

Name:___________________________

Responsibilities:

▼

Meet as a group once each week to pray.

▼ Pray daily for those helping and those being served.

▼ Pray for the Living Free ministry in your church and other churches.

▼ Pray for each person helping in the ministry.

▼ Pray for each participant helping in the ministry.

Tools:

List of Insight Group facilitators and group members.

■ List of Free to Grow Group facilitators and group members.

■ List of Support Group facilitators and group members.

■ List of Core Team members.

■

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Responsibilities and Tools for the Core Team—Continued

Member:

Communication Coordinator

Name:___________________________

Name:___________________________

Responsibilities:

▼

Maintain ministry visibility (regular visibility through bulletin boards, bulletin inserts, church newsletter, skits).

▼ Post Living Free information on public billboards.

▼ Contact local media about ministry (newspaper, TV, radio).

▼ Contact schools, parent groups, etc., about the ministry.

▼ Contact city and/or community judicial system for referrals (this should be done only after the ministry has established stability).

▼ Attend Core Team meetings.

Tools:

■

Living Free Public Communication Packet (brochures, radio PSAs, posters, bulletin inserts, etc.)

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Responsibilities and Tools for the Core Team—Continued

Member:

Insight Group Facilitator

Name:___________________________

Insight Group Co-Facilitator

Name:___________________________

Responsibilities:

▼

Participate in Insight Group before facilitating a group.

▼ Read Insight Group Facilitator’s Guide and Group Member Guide.

▼ Read Living Free Small Group Skills Guide.

▼ Facilitate Insight Group for 9-12 weeks.

Tools:

Living Free Video Training Series

■ Insight Group Facilitator’s Guide

■ Insight Group Member Guide

■ Small Group Skills Guide

■ Core Team Manual ■

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Responsibilities and Tools for the Core Team—Continued

Member:

Free to Grow Group Facilitator

Name:___________________________

Free to Grow Group Co-Facilitator

Name:___________________________

Responsibilities:

▼

Participate in Insight Group before facilitating a group.

▼ Read Free to Grow Group Facilitator’s Guide and Group Member Guide.

▼ Read Living Free Small Group Skills Guide.

▼ Facilitate Free to Grow Group for 12 weeks.

Tools:

Living Free Video Training Series

■ Small Group Skills Guide

■ Free to Grow Group Facilitator’s Guide

■ Free to Grow Group Member Guide

■ Core Team Manual

■ Hurt People Hurt People

■ Broken Children Grown-up Pain ■

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Responsibilities and Tools for the Core Team—Continued

Member:

Support Group Facilitator

Name:__________________________

Support Group Co-Facilitator

Name:__________________________

Responsibilities:

▼

Participate in Insight Group before facilitating a group.

▼ Read Living Free Small Group Skills Guide.

▼ Facilitate Support Group until completion of designated time.

Tools: ■ Living Free Video Training Series

■ Small Group Skills Guide

■ Free to Grow Group Facilitator’s Guide

■ Free to Grow Group Member Guide

■ Core Team Manual

■ See Living Free Catalog or website— www.livingfree.org—for support group resources.

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Initial Promotion The best way to promote Living Free in your church initially is simply by word of mouth. Your Core Team Coordinator and your pastor should contact people they think would be interested in being a part of the Core Team. A pulpit announcement may be appropriate.

Once the Core Team is established and ready to launch Insight Groups, your promotional needs will change, and word of mouth will not be adequate. Here are suggestions on how to promote Living Free throughout your congregation: ▲

An announcement from the pulpit

In an increasingly secular and dysfunctional society, we see the need more and more for relationship-based ministry so that we can help each other deal with struggles faced in daily living. According to Carl George, a recognized church growth author, “People must have the opportunity to interact with each other, and in the process draw out a fuller appreciation for how they are accepted by and loved and learn from, as well as how valuable they are to each other” (p. 69). A church needs a healthy combination of corporate worship of God and small groups which focus on relationships and felt needs.

We see the need for small groups in three main areas: ❶ Focused discipleship (special needs such as drug

addictions, alcoholism, eating disorders, sexual

addictions, etc.)

❷ General discipleship that focuses on felt needs ❸ Friend-to friend evangelism We recommend the Insight Group as the entry group for all in the church because it helps us develop a better understanding of ourselves and focuses on discovering the path to Christian character.

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Initial Promotion—Continued

We are in the process of launching a ministry that helps us practice the one-another care which is often mentioned in the New Testament. This ministry, Living Free, relates the power of Scripture to where people are and gives them practical handles for release from their problems. If the church is a hospital, think of Living Free as the support unit.

“Notice the Living Free insert in your bulletin. Living Free is not just for those struggling with a life-controlling problem themselves but for anyone wanting more insight into life-controlling problems— how they can be prevented and how the truths of Scripture relate.”

“Join us (date, time, and location) for a brief meeting that will answer all your questions about this ministry.”

A bulletin insert to explain the ministry

▲

On the lower reverse of the insert, you can imprint a name and phone number or time, date, and place of an informational meeting.

▲

A poster in the church narthex or on a bulletin board

You should use the announcement, insert, and poster to encourage people to come to an informational meeting where they can find out more about Living Free and have any questions answered.

This information could easily be imprinted on the back page, lower portion of the bulletin inserts.

When Living Free has been functioning in your church for some time, you can consider promotion in the community. To promote Living Free more widely, you could do the following: Include a flyer (our bulletin insert would work well) in your church’s visitors’ packets.

Contact managers of local radio stations and ask if they will air a public service announcement for you.

Organize a group of church members to develop and distribute a flyer to those in selected neighborhoods.❖

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First Core Team Activities Once your Core Team has been selected, you should set a time

and place for your first meeting. (It might work best for you to schedule your meeting one hour before some other church function that most group members will already be attending.) One week before the meeting, you might call members or send them a postcard reminding them of the meeting. Be sure to start and end your meeting on time.

At your first meeting (we suggest 30 minutes for each session), you might want to follow this sample agenda:

1.

Members introduce themselves.

—Name —Occupation —Interest in this ministry —Ice-breaker: Name your favorite holiday (food, vacation spot) and why you made this choice.

2.

Thank members for coming. They are making a commitment of time and energy.

3.

Explain Living Free. You might want to discuss the flow chart on page 14.

4.

Emphasize the essential ingredient of teamwork.

5.

Provide information and discuss: • What This Ministry Is Really All About—page 2.

• Living Free Structure—page 10.

• Why a Core Team Is Needed—page 22.

• Responsibilities and Tools for the Core Team—pages 25-31.

• How Living Free Works—page 7.

• Year One Timetable—pages 11-13.

6.

Answer any questions.

7.

Set a specific date and time for the next meeting.

8.

Close with prayer.

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What Should Happen at Core Team Meetings The Core Team should meet regularly—at least once every two to three weeks. We suggest these meetings last about 30 minutes.

The Core Team Coordinator should prepare an agenda for each meeting. Every agenda should include:

• A word of encouragement and a passage of Scripture • Updates of each Insight, Free to Grow, and Support Group • An Update from team members involved in prevention • Any communications needs • Plans for start-up of new groups • Plans for a monthly group social • Prayer for Core Team members and specific needs of Living Free in your church

• A time of encouraging each other

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Second Step: Develop Small Group Leaders

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Characteristics of Effective Small Group Facilitators Living Free small groups are led by a facilitator. Each group should

also include one or more co-facilitators. Co-facilitators help lead the group they are co-facilitating while also preparing to become facilitators of future groups. As you are dividing Core Team responsibilities, look for group facilitators with the following qualities:

Characteristics:

Level of spiritual maturity equal to church leaders

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Good knowledge of Scripture (2 Timothy 2:15) Bible-based foundation (2 Timothy 3:16) Not a recent convert (1 Timothy 3:6) A good reputation (1 Timothy 3:7) Biblically based common sense

Emotional stability

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Balanced lifestyle (2 Timothy 1:7) Flexible, adaptable A team person Not a caretaker Responsible Speaks and works in reality

Understanding of commitment

✓ Reliable, faithful ✓ Follows through ✓ Committed to local church Ability to empathize

✓ Not critical ✓ Not judgmental ✓ Caring and warm

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Characteristics of Effective Small Group Facilitators—Continued

Ability to work within limitations

✓ It is not a negation of the gospel or of God’s power to suggest professional counseling if the need is apparent. In this case, the minister’s help should be sought for possible Christian services available.

Caution ✓ People who are overcoming a life-controlling problem should understand that their purpose is to facilitate learning and growth and not to serve as an expert based on their own experience.

✓ People who have been affected by a family member with a lifecontrolling problem should guard against their own personal attitudes that may be intolerant of the lifestyles and attitudes of others.

Note: For additional characteristics, see Small Group Skills Guide.

Adapted from Clergy Malpractice, by H. Newton Malony, Thomas L. Needham, and Samuel Southaud,© 1986 The Westminster Press. Used by permission of Westminster/ John Knox Press.

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Characteristics of Effective Small Group Facilitators—Continued

Qualities: • Christ-likeness The song expresses it well when it says, “To be like Jesus . . . all I ask is to be like Him” (To Be Like Jesus, Gloria Gaither and Henry Slaughter, Harvest Time Publishers, 1971). If we reproduce ourselves in those in our groups, what will we produce—rebellion, selfishness, stubbornness, honesty, purity, joy? As leaders, we can no longer be lost in the crowd just doing our own thing, unconcerned about what others think. It does matter what others think! Our example is the closest some people will ever come to knowing Christ. Our conduct, our moderation and balance, our total being must be transparent in private and public because “you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). A good rule of thumb to follow can be found in the Scripture that says, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Ask yourself: “In light of eternity, what kind of person should I be?” “What would Jesus do in this situation?” You are an example!

• The Spirit of a Servant How essential this is for each of us! God has given us to His flock that we might love them, serve them, and care for them. We must never feel we can rule or dictate other’s lives. Even God will not violate a person’s free will. He that is first must be last. The Master did not wash His disciples’ feet to boost His own ego. Leadership is for the purpose of service, and serving is more than just an act—it is a spirit that gently and lovingly inquires, “What can I do to serve you?” God first, others second, self last.

• A Shepherd’s Heart Every true leader needs to have a glimpse of the Father’s perspective for each individual. Empathy is a key. Accept people as they are, helping them to become all God intended them to be.

• Love and Hospitality This is more than just a fancy-sounding religious phrase. These words suggest giving of yourself, even to those who are unlovely, being gracious and forgetting your own selfishness, and doing all to the glory of the Father with a supreme desire to minister “as unto Christ” (Ephesians 6:5). The Amplified Bible speaks boldly of this subject in 1 Peter 4:9: “Practice hospitality to one another—that is, those of the household of the faith.” (Be hospitable; that is, be a lover of strangers with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ’s body.)

—continued on next page

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Characteristics of Effective Small Group Facilitators—Continued

• Anointed Enthusiasm Your followers will never exceed your personal plateau of enthusiasm. If you do not get inspired and motivated about what you are doing, no one else will either! Be aware that most people are never projecting as much enthusiasm as they think they are.

• Positive Attitudes Many times a bad spirit (a hurt or offended spirit or a critical and provoking spirit) will do more damage to the body of believers than any number of positive words can repair. A bad attitude or spirit is like a cancer that will soon affect those around you and defeat all that God would like to do. Guard your spirit and your heart. A positive, happy, sweet, gentle, loving spirit can be just as contagious as its opposite. Determine that your spirit will reflect that which will be enabling, strengthening, edifying, and pure.

Depression, gloom, and self-pity have no place in leaders’ lives except as they leave them at the cross.

• A Teachable Spirit The Scriptures indicate there is more hope for a fool than for one who does not have a teachable spirit. To be able to accept the counsel of those around us is a great asset. Be able to admit you are wrong and be willing to implement a change. Accept constructive criticism without being defensive. A leader can never teach others if he is not willing to be taught. No person is always right. A teachable spirit will make you a good teacher.

• Submission to Authority To exercise authority, you must first know how to be submissive to authority. It is not enough just to be able to give orders and follow the legal letter of the law. You must have a submissive spirit that enables you to follow as well as lead. Rebels produce rebels.

Stubbornness produces stubbornness. God has a divine order.

• Preparedness For a leader to be unprepared is a sure symptom of failure just ahead. Goals are essential. Self-discipline is crucial. ❖

Special thanks to Dr. Terry Lewis for technical assistance.

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Identifying Potential Facilitators Look for someone with: ■

A vibrant spiritual life.

Who is a spiritual role model for others in your church?

■

A servant’s heart.

Who is consistently willing to do the behind-the-scenes jobs?

■

A positive attitude.

Who is encouraging and cheerful while also being realistic about life?

■

A consistent track record.

Who is committed to the local church?

■

A listening ear.

Who will listen patiently to a four-year-old’s tale, a teenager’s frustrations, or an elderly woman’s health concerns?

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Training Facilitators Training group facilitators will be an ongoing process in your ministry. We suggest you take the following steps:

Step One

Participate in Living Free Video Training Series

Step Two

Study the following Living Free materials: 1. Small Group Skills Guide 2. Insight Group Facilitator’s Guide 3. Insight Group Member Workbook 4. Free to Grow Group Facilitator’s Guide 5. Free to Grow Group Member Workbook

Step Three

Submit to this training process: 1. Go through an Insight Group.

2. Serve as a co-facilitator of a group.

3. Serve as a facilitator with an experienced co-facilitator.

4. Allow the experienced co-facilitator to critique you after each session.

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Tips for Facilitators ■

Prayer As a facilitator, you should always seek wisdom, discernment, and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Between meetings, pray for each group member, the group as a whole, the co-facilitator, and yourself. Prayer should not be taken lightly.

Remember, the Lord’s presence is absolutely necessary for each meeting.

■

Preparation Good group meetings do not happen by accident. Here are some suggestions for planning your meetings.

• Plan with prayer.

• Review your Facilitator’s Guide, Group Member Guide, or other curriculum you may be using for the upcoming session. Meditate and pray over the material, allowing the Holy Spirit to “burn” it in your heart.

• Consider the location.

- The meeting room should have comfortable seating.

- Check the temperature of the room.

- Proper ventilation and lighting can help.

- Check for possible distractions.

• Prepare handouts, paper, pencil, etc., if needed.

■

Training Group facilitators need to be equipped. Each person should participate in the Living Free video training series. You should also thoroughly read the Living Free Small Group Skills Guide. Check the bibliography for other resources that can be used to enhance your skills.

■

Group Meeting Time You should be careful to respect the group members by starting and concluding the group sessions on time. Your adherence to the agreed time will help group members respect you, and it will also help group members practice discipline by committing to the time frame of the group.

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Tips for Facilitators—Continued

■

Taking in New Group Members New members should not be added to the Insight or Free to Grow Group after the second week. When the group is interrupted with new members, this tends to slow the progress of the group and the new member may not feel a part of the group.

■

Handling “Excessive Talkers” in the Group There will be people who tend to “overtalk” in the group. They may do this because they wish to show off their knowledge believing they have more knowledge than the facilitator (and they may). Others may talk to get attention. Here are some suggestions on how to correct this situation: • Direct questions and comments to individuals by name.

• Sit next to the “overtalker.” Since the facilitator receives less eye contact than the other group members, the person sitting beside the leader would be away from the focus of attention and might be less likely to respond.

• Analyze yourself to see if you are communicating clearly without causing others to take offense. (It is possible that the overtalker may see the need to take charge.)

• Consider care-fronting the person in private. Remember to communicate the “truth in love.” The “overtalker” may have leadership potential but needs to learn to be a better listener.

■

Handling Nonparticipators Some people are very timid or feel they do not have anything to contribute to the group. Some may have reading difficulties.

These people should be cared for with sensitivity (working within their comfort level).

Here are some suggestions on how facilitators can increase participants’ comfort level: • Remind participants that at every session they are not expected to talk if they do not want to. Everyone has the freedom to pass.

• Offer encouragement by gently directing questions to group members that can be answered with ease and comfort.

• Give special attention to these people before and after each group session.

• Talk to them in private. Offer encouragement.

• Affirm every answer they provide.

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Tips for Facilitators—Continued

■

Role Model Be a good role model by “walking your talk.” Values are best caught, not taught. “Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1Timothy 4:12).

Here are some practical ways to be a good role model: • Be on time.

• Be consistent.

• Guard against moodiness.

• Be a good listener.

• Be positive.

• Maintain confidentiality.

• Maintain a life of purity and integrity.

■

Humor Keep a sense of humor. It is easy to get caught up in the seriousness of one another’s needs and forget the value of laughter. “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). Humor can enhance the group experience by breaking tension and building trust. Here are some guidelines for using humor: • Do not overuse. Be natural.

• Avoid teasing at someone else’s expense.

• Avoid drawing excessive attention to yourself as a clown.

• Be sensitive to the timing of your humor. Truly serious matters do not need to be made light of.

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Facilitator Principles

1

Each group member must accept responsibility for the recovery process.

2

Facilitators should always be compassionate and patient.

3

Unresolved issues between group leaders and group members will hinder progress.

4 5 6 7 8

Facilitators should always be aware of the signs of suicide.

(See the Small Group Skills Guide.)

Effective group interaction involves hearing and reflecting the feelings the group members are experiencing without interpreting them.

A primary condition for good interaction is the facilitator’s level of respect for the group members. Treat group members as equal in personhood.

An essential ingredient for being a good group facilitator is genuineness. Facilitators should be congruent. Make sure that words and deeds are consistent with feelings and beliefs.

All group leaders have the responsibility to be open to the work of the Holy Spirit concerning their own past hurts.

Facilitators should never portray themselves as a spiritual or psychological expert.

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Confidentiality in Small Groups Encourage all group facilitators to maintain confidentiality among all group members.

What is confidentiality? “Confidentiality refers to the act of protecting from disclosure that which one has been told under the assumption that it will not be revealed without permission� (Malony, p. 111).

When should confidentiality be broken?

If a person is a danger to self or to others.

Should the minister have privilege to confidentiality?

Yes. He is the spiritual covering for the local church and should have privilege to this information if he so desires or the group facilitators deem helpful.

What about gossip?

Gossip is sin and should not be a part of any group activity. (See 2 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Timothy 5:13; Romans 1:29.)

When should confidentiality be discussed in the small groups?

In the orientation session. The participants should be aware of confidentiality and the above ground rules.

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Suggested Group Format Each session follows the same four-part format:

Introduction (10 minutes) Begin with prayer—The facilitator may pray or ask a group member to pray.

Use a go-around (icebreaker questions as suggested in Facilitator’s Guide). The lead facilitator should answer the question first, then the co-facilitator. This will help group members feel more comfortable in participating. After the facilitators have responded, the group members should respond one after another around the circle.

Always remind group members that they do not have to participate.

The rule is that everyone works within his or her comfort zone. All answers should be brief.

Self-Awareness (20 minutes) Introduce topic of discussion.

Remind participants that this is a time to practice James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Be careful to stay on the subject matter. This is a time to focus on needs and healing. It should not turn into a martyr party or a pity party.

Ask group members to share as they wish to. Do not go around the circle and make everyone contribute. People are at various comfort levels, and they should not feel pressured to self-disclose.

Remember: Prayer is always in order. If a group member is obviously hurting during any phase of the session, the facilitator should stop the group and pray or ask another member to pray.

This action clearly tells the hurting group member that he or she is important and that you care.

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Suggested Group Format—Continued

Spiritual-Awareness (20 minutes) Briefly explain the topic for the session.

Ask group members to look up Scripture verses listed in the Facilitator’s Guide.

After all members read their assigned verses, allow time for discussion

Application (25 minutes) Ask group members the question listed for the session in the Facilitator’s Guide.

Ask for volunteers to share their responses to the question. The facilitator should emphasize the importance of the group members’ applying biblical principles to their lives. Help for life-controlling problems begins with right thinking. Right thinking about the Word of God leads to right behavior, and right behavior leads to right feelings. Romans 12:2 reminds us: “But be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” ❖

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The Biblical Basis for Living Free Ministries Small Group Model The Living Free small group format is designed to help participants

see their need for God, learn to trust His loving guidance, and make practical application of His Word. This is done through a four-phase process (explained near the front of each Facilitator’s Guide).

Introduction — The prayer and go-around question helps prepare the group for meaningful interaction. This is a brief discussion starter. Jesus’ ministry to the Samaritan woman is an example.

Self-Awareness — This is a time for group members to look

honestly at themselves in light of the subject matter discussion and questions. This is a time to break up the unplowed ground (Hosea 10:12) and deal with the real issues we face every day. This phase prepares each participant for God’s Word in the SpiritualAwareness phase.

When participants feel safe enough to share their struggles, they are more likely to connect God’s Word with everyday living. SelfAwareness creates an environment for the Spiritual-Awareness phase.

Spiritual-Awareness — This phase is a time to see what God’s

Word says to us about the personal issues and concerns which may have been shared in the Self-Awareness phase. The comments and questions point each participant to God’s Word for answers.

Living Free materials do not attempt to interpret the Scriptures; instead, the materials point participants to the passage trusting the Holy Spirit to penetrate each heart with biblical truth.

Application — The comments and questions in this phase are

designed to point each participant toward application—first, to think about the subject matter and then look at ways to apply what has been discussed in God’s Word. As each participant chooses to obey God’s Word, the result will be freedom and confidence in Jesus Christ.

“When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, ‘Will you give me a drink?’ ” (John 4:7).

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5).

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

“For the word of God is living and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:22-25).

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Clues That a Person Needs Professional Counseling At times you will discover people who need more help than

Living Free can offer. If you notice people in your group with the following characteristics, we suggest you consult your minister for names of Christian counselors: • A strong self-punitive, condemnatory tendency that is interwoven with the person’s Christianity making it difficult to differentiate between healthy and neurotic spirituality.

• Emotions that are too tangled to sort out and are out of control.

• Problems that have a long history rooted in the person’s early background (deeply repressed memories).

• The denial of obvious feelings combined with the above clues.

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Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Third Step: Launch Insight Groups

53 Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Launch Insight Groups Churchwide The basic group in Living Free’s system of small groups is the

Insight Group. The Insight Group is a meaningful nine-week experience to help your entire church family. This section will give you guidelines for starting one.

We suggest that the group have two group leaders (called facilitators) and a maximum of about 12 group participants. Having more than 12 may prevent some from being a part of the much needed discussion.

The facilitators should meet prior to each group session to pray and make final plans for the session. They should also meet after each session to discuss any follow-up that is needed.

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. . . . For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his Kingdom and glory.”

—1 Thessalonians 2:8, 11-12

In the orientation session (Session 1), the Insight Group Workbook should be distributed to each group member. Facilitators should have a thorough understanding of the workbook before distributing it to group participants. Encourage group members to complete the appropriate session prior to each group meeting. The group member guide prepares them for each upcoming session.

During a service, introduce what the Insight Group offers: • It pictures life-controlling problems as a downward spiral that pulls a person deeper and deeper and then presents the character qualities found in 2 Peter 1:3-11 as a ladder that helps us climb out of the deep hole of a life-controlling problem.

• It enhances people’s understanding of each other and how this relates to everyday practical problems.

• It helps bond people together in meaningful relationships.

• It helps prepare people for more meaningful relationships in subsequent small groups, such as home groups, cell groups, and Sunday school classes.

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Launch Insight Groups Churchwide—Continued

• It surfaces people for help who may otherwise never seek help.

• It helps break down the segregation of people in churches, turning “those people” and “our kind of people” into just “us.”

Suggested Use: • The entry group for small groups Designate a Sunday as “Living Free Day.” Include: • Sermon on helping the hurting • Testimonies • Bulletin Insert Present the church as the spiritual hospital and Living Free as the support unit.

You might also use any of these methods to introduce an Insight Group to your congregation.

• • • • • •

Bulletin boards Bulletin inserts Newsletter Sunday school class announcements Word of mouth Pastor referrals

55 Living Core Free Team Team Manual Manual Living Living FreeFree Ministries, Ministries, P. O. P.Box O. Box 22127, 22127, Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127 TN 37422-2127

Insight Group Curriculum 1.

One Session Per Week (Approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes)

2. Format

A. B. C. D.

3.

Course Outline

Introduction Self-Awareness Spiritual-Awareness Application

(10 (20 (20 (25

minutes) minutes) minutes) minutes)

Session 1

Self-Awareness Orientation Spiritual-Awareness Goals for Course

2 Peter 1:3-11

Session 2

Self-Awareness Trust Spiritual-Awareness Faith

Session 3

Self-Awareness Spiritual-Awareness

The Trap Goodness

2 Peter 1:3-11

2 Peter 1:3-11

Session 4

Self-Awareness Feelings Spiritual-Awareness Knowledge

Session 5

Self-Awareness Spiritual-Awareness

Defenses and Isolation Self-Control

2 Peter 1:3-11

2 Peter 1:3-11

Session 6

Self-Awareness Symptoms Spiritual-Awareness Perseverance

Session 7

Self-Awareness Spiritual-Awareness

Session 8

Self-Awareness Spiritual-Awareness

Session 9

Self-Awareness Spiritual-Awareness

2 Peter 1:3-11

Ministry to One Another Godliness

2 Peter 1:3-11

Ministry to One Another Continues Brotherly Kindness

2 Peter 1:3-11

Ministry to One Another Concludes Christian Love

2 Peter 1:3-11

Third Step: Launch Insight Group

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Insight Group Worksheet Both the facilitator and co-facilitator should fill in this worksheet by the second week. Use it to pray for group members and to encourage them through a phone call or short note.

Group Facilitator

Group Co-Facilitator

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

Name

Address

Phone

Name

City Address

Phone

City

Group Members _________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

Name

Address Name

Address Name

Address Name

Address Name

Address

Phone

Name

City Address Phone

Name

City Address Phone

Name

City Address Phone

Name

City Address Phone

Name

City Address

Phone

City

Phone

City

Phone

City

Phone

City

Phone

City

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Correlation Between Facilitator’s Guide and Group Member Guide Facilitator’s Guide — This guide is designed to lead the group

through the four-phase, small group format. The facilitator’s responsibility is to start the discussion, give it direction, and thereafter simply keep the discussion personal and on track.

The text is presented in the left column. The right column contains tips and pointers for leading the group along with answers to questions. The facilitator will prayerfully present select questions because there are usually more questions than time permits.

Although the text is presented in the Group Member’s Guide, it may not, in some cases, be word for word as in the Facilitator’s Guide.

For example, the Introductions are different in the two guides.

The Facilitator’s Guide is directed toward the opening prayer and go-around question; whereas, the Group Member Guide focuses on devotions for the week which are a part of the preparation for the upcoming session.

Group Member Guide — This guide is designed to be done as

homework, preparing the participant for meaningful ministry during the small group session. Although the general text is the same as Self-Awareness, Spiritual-Awareness, and Application in the Facilitator’s Guide, concentration should be on the group process during the actual group experience.

It is good for the participant to bring the Group Member Guide to the group session; however, the participant should be more attentive to the group process rather than trying to find text or written answers in his/her Group Member Guide. Each group member should bring his/her Bible to the group meeting for meaningful study and application of God’s Word for daily living.

In a Nutshell — The Facilitator’s Guide is designed to lead the group process through the curriculum of choice. The Group Member Guide will prepare the participant for the group meeting.

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Fourth Step: Launch Free to Grow Group 59 Living Free Team Manual

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Free to Grow Group Curriculum 1.

One Session Per Week (Approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes)

2. Format

A. B. C. D.

3.

Course Outline

Session 1

Who Am I?

Genesis 1

Session 2

Unmasked Faces

Exodus 34, 2 Corinthians 3

Session 3

Facing the Truth of Disappointments

Genesis 3:9-45

Session 4

Forgive as God Forgave You

Ephesians 4

Session 5

Setting Boundaries

Exodus 20

Session 6

Childlike Versus Childish

1 Corinthians 13

Session 7

Making Choices

Deuteronomy 28, 30

Session 8

Freedom and Responsibility

Luke 15

Session 9

Fresh Start

Lamentations 3

Session 10

Developing the Character of Christ

Galatians 5

Session 11

Developing Freedom in Christ

John 8

Session 12

Developing a Future in Christ

Revelation 21

Introduction (10 minutes) Self-Awareness (20 minutes) Spiritual-Awareness (20 minutes) Application (25 minutes)

Fourth Step:

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Free to Grow Group Worksheet Both the facilitator and co-facilitator should fill in this worksheet by the second week. Use it to pray for group members and to encourage them through a phone call or short note.

Group Facilitator

Group Co-Facilitator

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

Name

Address

Phone

Name

City Address

Phone

City

Group Members _________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

_________________________________

________________________________

Name

Address Name

Address Name

Address Name

Address Name

Address

Phone

Name

City Address Phone

Name

City Address Phone

Name

City Address Phone

Name

City Address Phone

Name

City Address

Phone

City

Phone

City

Phone

City

Phone

City

Phone

City

61 Living Core Free Team Team Manual Manual Living Living FreeFree Ministries, Ministries, P. O. P.Box O. Box 22127, 22127, Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127 TN 37422-2127

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Continuation: Keeping the Ministry Alive

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Support Groups Options Insight Group

9 Sessions

Discover the Path to Christian Character What it offers: • It enhances people’s understanding of themselves and others.

• It pictures life-controlling problems as a downward spiral that pulls a person down and then presents the character qualities found in 2 Peter 1:3-11 as the path to Christian character.

• It helps bond people together in meaningful relationships.

• It helps prepare people for more meaningful relationships in subsequent small groups, such as home groups, cell groups, and Sunday school classes.

• It surfaces people for help who may otherwise never seek help.

• It helps break down the segregation of people in churches, turning “those people” and “our kind of people” into just “us.”

Suggested use: The entry group for small groups

Concerned Persons Group 9 Sessions Because We Need Each Other What it offers: • It contains important self-awareness principles and timely biblical principles aimed at offering encouragement and strength in God’s love.

• It is designed for the many people who have a current or past relationship with a person who has a life-controlling problem.

• It emphasizes the need we all have for each other.

• It helps people focus on Christ rather than on the problem.

Suggested use: Home Groups, Support Groups, Recovery Groups, Cell Groups

Continuation:

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Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

Completely Free

13 Sessions

A Group Study of Romans 1-8 and 12 What it offers: • It helps Christians break out of the dull routine of a stagnant spiritual life.

• It explains the message of salvation as presented in Romans..

• The study and understanding of Romans has launched spiritual renewal throughout the history of the Church.

• Applying the truths found in Romans will transform any believer into a person eager to follow God’s will.

Suggested use: Home Bible Studies, Support Groups, Cell Groups, Sunday School Classes, Personal Enrichment

Knowing God My Father

9 Sessions

Applying the Names of God to My Personal Life What it offers: • It is designed to help participants strengthen their relationship with their heavenly father.

• It shows how to apply biblical principles by studying the various names of God. • It is written in a practical way.

• Help for those who may have a distorted view of God because of an absent or abusive earthly father who did not or does not provide for them.

• Help for men who want to be better fathers.

Suggested use: Home Bible Studies, Support Groups, Sunday School Classes, Cell Groups, Personal Enrichment

The Ten Commandments 13 Sessions Applying the Foundations of Living to My Personal Life What it offers: • It helps us understand God’s boundaries.

• It shows how the Ten Commandments apply today.

• It discusses the biblical laws on which the legal codes of every civilized society are based.

• It is written in a way that helps people see the Ten Commandments in light of today’s problems.

Suggested use: Home Groups, Support Groups, Sunday School Classes, Cell Groups Living Free Team Manual

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65

Godly Heroes

13 Sessions

A Small Group Study of Hebrews 11 What it offers: • A verse-by-verse study of Hebrews 11.

• Characteristics of the heroes written in language that relates to today’s living.

• The profile of a godly hero.

• Definitions, characteristics, and examples of the heroes’ faith life.

Suggested use: Home Groups, Support Groups, Cell Groups, Sunday School Classes, Men’s Groups, Personal Study

Anger: Our Master or Our Servant

9 Sessions

Creative Use of a Powerful Emotion What it offers: • Clear explanation of anger, what causes it, and how to recognize when you are sinning with anger, • Beginning steps in managing anger.

• Methods to help you control anger in marriage and family relationships.

• Ten steps for preventing anger’s control in one’s daily life.

Suggested use: Support and grief recovery groups. Substance abuse groups, Marriage groups and retreats, Men’s groups, Adolescent Support Groups, Prison Study Groups

Handling Loss and Grief

9 Sessions

How to Face Losses in Life and Grieve Christianly What it offers: • Help for those who want to see death and loss from God’s perspective.

• Guidance in the use of Scripture to help the grieving.

• Biblical coping methods for facing loss.

• Comfort to those who have faced loss.

• Help for anyone ministering to those experiencing a “little death” in life: divorce, loss of job, etc.

Suggested use: Home Groups, Support Groups, Youth or Adult Sunday School Classes, Cell Groups, Personal Study

Continuation:

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Understanding Depression

9 Sessions

Overcoming Despair through Christ What it offers: • Understanding of what depression is and how it affects relationships at home, work, and elsewhere.

• Understanding of the relationship between depression and spiritual warfare, i.e., why maintaining a relationship with Jesus is so difficult.

• Ways to fight depression with the weapons of Scripture, prayer, and mutual support.

• Understanding the special prayer needs of depressed persons.

• Bible-based coping skills.

• How to pray for healing and what to expect.

Suggested use: Support Groups, Christian Counseling

One Nation Under God

9 Sessions

Toward Race Reconciliation What it offers: • Shows that the foundational truth for this entire process is oneness in Christ.

• Examines our divided history and united future.

• Discusses the barriers.

• Shows how to make Christ visible through love in action.

• A way to strengthen and bond relationships.

Suggested use: Support Groups, Home Groups, Cell Groups, Sunday School Classes, Follow-up to racial reconciliation meetings

Seeing Yourself in God’s Image 13 Sessions Overcoming Anorexia and Bulimia What it offers: • Understanding of distorted body image and denial.

• Understanding the family systems influence.

• How to break free of social pressures.

• How to restore the temple and tie the recovery process together.

Suggested use: Support Groups, Christian Counseling

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Stepping into Freedom

13 Sessions

A Christ-Centered, Twelve-Step Program What it offers: • Help for anyone struggling with a lifecontrolling problem such as drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual addiction, gambling, or workaholism.

• It supports a person’s desire to maintain a life free of life-controlling problems.

• It helps a person develop roots and steadfastness in Christ so that one can confidently master the problems faced in daily living.

Suggested use: Home Groups, Support Groups, Recovery Groups

Peacemaking

13 Sessions

Responding to Conflict Biblically What it offers: • Help to understanding conflict and our response to it.

• Help to see conflict as an opportunity to glorify God. • Personal examination.

• When and how to confront someone.

• A biblical approach to negotiating.

• Help in dealing with unreasonable people.

Suggested use: Sunday School Classes, Small Groups

Free to Grow

12 Sessions Overcoming Setbacks and Disappointments What it offers: • Help for each participant to be free of hindrances or setbacks that have arrested or are presently hindering their spiritual development.

• Shows how our lives are shaped by our experiences in early life.

• Shows that our emotional and spiritual development is often hindered by rejection, which comes in many forms.

• Shows the path to growth in Christ.

• Prepares participants for the “Appropriate Ministry” phase.

Suggested use: Home Groups, Support Groups, Sunday School Classes, Cell Groups, Personal Study

Continuation:

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Committed Couples

13 Sessions

God’s Plan for Marriage and the Family What it offers: • It highlights God’s design for marriage and the principles that support this sacred institution.

• It can help married couples grow spiritually and emotionally in their relationship.

• Help for engaged-to-be-married couples.

Suggested use: Home Groups, Cell Groups, Support Groups, Sunday School Classes, Marriage Retreats, Personal Study, Couples Study

Godly Parenting

13 Sessions

Parenting Skills at Each Stage of Growth What it offers: • It discusses parenting skills from the time of conception until the child has reached adulthood.

• It suggests methods for raising healthy, godly children in our increasingly secular society.

• Specific emphasis is placed upon communication and teaching skills, discipline, protection, and sexual issues at each age.

• It provides health and safety tips.

Suggested use: Support Groups, Home Groups, Parenting Groups, Sunday School Classes, Mothers’ Groups, Home Schools, Reference Material

Restoring Families

10 Sessions

Overcoming Abusive Relationships Through Christ What it offers: • Helps to minister to families from abusive relationships.

• Helps to minister to victims of family violence.

• Deals with wounded emotions.

• Deals with control and intimacy issues.

• Presents a strong message of Christ as healer of abusive relationships.

Suggested use: Support Groups, Christian Counseling Living Free Team Manual

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After the First Year After Living Free has been functioning in your church for a year,

gather your Core Team together and evaluate the year of ministry.

You should collect and read completed facilitator and participant evaluation forms ahead of time. Ask someone to take careful notes during the meetings.* You might want to meet for one hour and follow this agenda: ■

■

Discuss facilitators’ evaluations (anonymously).

Allow time for comments/questions.

Discuss participants’ evaluations (anonymously).

Allow time for comments/questions.

■

Discuss the question: What should we do to improve our ministry?

■

Discuss what worked well.

■

Thank all Core Team members. They have invested a great deal of themselves in this ministry.

■

Close in prayer.

■

Chat informally over make-your-own ice cream sundaes.

* We encourage you to send us a copy of your notes from this meeting.

We want to know how we can help you.

Continuation:

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Support: How to Contact Us for Help 71 Living Free Team Manual

Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

How Living Free Supports Your Efforts Living Free will help you by: ■

Providing Living Free video training series

■

Conferring by phone with your Core Team Coordinator monthly until your program is operating effectively on its own

■

Providing materials such as workbooks and facilitators’ guides

■

Sending occasional newsletters with tips, new tools, information, etc.

■

Providing helps on our website (www.livingfree.org)

■

Being available for phone consultation when needed

■

Praying for you

Support:

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How to Contact Us for Help

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About Living Free Feedback The Living Free Feedback is designed to provide information

to assist us in better serving your church and others. We deeply appreciate your preparing this information and sending it to Living Free each quarter by the 15th day after the quarter ends.

We are interested in the number of participants in each of your groups, Core Team information, prayer requests, problem areas, and testimonies of those helped in your ministry. We are also interested in your ideas, suggestions, and special things that are happening in your field of labor. We have included general information and personal opinion forms for participants and facilitators.

May the Lord bless your work.

Sincerely, The Living Free Team

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Living Free Feedback Church: Address: Pastor: Core Team coordinator: Please check appropriate quarter

❑ 1st Quarter (January - March)

❑ 3rd Quarter (July - September)

❑ 2nd Quarter (April - June)

❑ 4th Quarter (October - December)

▼ Insight Groups Number of groups this quarter _______ Number of participants this quarter _______ Prayer requests:

Special interest:

Problems:

Support:

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Living Free Feedback—Continued

▼ Free to Grow Groups Number of groups this quarter _______ Number of participants this quarter _______ Prayer requests:

Special interest:

Problems:

—Continued on next page

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Living Free Feedback—Continued

▼ Support Groups Number of groups this quarter _______ Number of participants this quarter _______

Curriculum:

Prayer requests:

Special interest:

Problems:

Support:

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Living Free Feedback—Continued

Participants’ Opinion Form Instructions: Please complete this form and give it to your facilitator before leaving. Circle the number which best reflects your answer to the following questions. Thank you.

■ I now have a better understanding of how Scripture can help me deal with

life-controlling problems.

1 2 Disagree

3 4 Not Sure

5

Agree

Comments:

■ I felt the group facilitator and other group members empathized with me.

1 2 Disagree

3 4 Not Sure

5

Agree

Comments:

■ The material we covered directly related to my area of need.

1 2 Disagree Comments:

3 4 Not Sure

5

Agree

—Continued on next page

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Participants Opinion Form—Continued

■ One thing I would change about this group is:

■ The best thing about this group is:

Support:

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Living Free Feedback—Continued

Facilitators’ Opinion Form I was a facilitator for a(n) ____________________ Group.

■ I received adequate training.

1 2 Disagree

3 4 Not Sure

5

Agree

Comments:

■ I felt the materials provided by Living Free were exactly what our people needed.

1 2 Disagree

3 4 Not Sure

5

Agree

Comments:

■ Because of these sessions, the members of my group improved in their ability to

handle life-controlling problems.

1 2 Disagree

3 4 Not Sure

5

Agree

Comments: —Continued on next page

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Facilitators Opinion Form—Continued

■ If I were to lead this group again, I would do the following things differently:

■ The best part of the Living Free program is:

Support:

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Living Free Ministries, P. O. Box 22127, Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127

For a catalog or more information call or write:

Living Free Ministries P. O. Box 22127 Chattanooga, TN 37422-2127 Toll Free 800-879-4770 www.livingfree.org

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Appendix

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Resources for Small Groups

Matching Curriculum to Support Groups Once a book or study guide has been chosen according to group members’ needs, a

support group facilitator should follow the suggested group format used in the Insight and Concerned Persons Groups (many books and study guides contain questions and references that will help you). Additional resources are listed in the Living Free Catalog.

☛

Introduction

Begin with prayer.

Use a go-around.

☛

Self-Awareness

Introduce topic of discussion based on chapter of book or study guide. Ask

(10 Minutes)

(20 Minutes)

group members to share as they wish.

☛

Spiritual-Awareness

(20 Minutes)

Discuss Scripture verses that apply to the chapter of study.

☛

Application

Ask group members a question or questions that help them apply the lesson.

Ask for volunteers to share their responses to the question.

(25 Minutes)

Appendix

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Support Group Worksheet

Part I Introduction

Part II Self-Awareness

Part III Spiritual-Awareness

Part IV Application

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Group Worksheet Both the facilitator and co-facilitator should fill in this worksheet by the second week. Use it to pray for group members and to encourage them through a phone call or short note.

Group Facilitator

Group Co-Facilitator

Name Phone Name Phone

Address City

Address City

Group Members

Name Phone Name Phone

Address City

Address City

Name Phone Name Phone

Address City

Address City

Name Phone Name Phone

Address City

Address City

Name Phone Name Phone

Address City

Address City

Name Phone Name Phone

Address City

Address City

Appendix

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Suggested Topics for Groups

Action (Walk Like You 1 Corinthians 4:20

2 Corinthians 5:7 Galatians 5:16 Ephesians 5:2

Talk) Ephesians 4:1 Ephesians 5:15 Isaiah 30:21 Romans 6:4

Anger/Resentment James 1:19-20 Proverbs 20:22 1 Peter 3:8-18 Psalm 37:8-11 Proverbs 14:17 Proverbs 16:32 Matthew 5:21-26

Proverbs 19:11 Matthew 5:39 Leviticus 19:18 Proverbs 15:1 Proverbs 22:24 Ecclesiastes 7:9

Blame/Excuses Genesis 3:9-15 Exodus 32:10-24 1 Samuel 13:11-14 1 Samuel 15:16-23 Proverbs 16:8

Luke 14:15-24 Romans 1:20 Jeremiah 1:6-7 Romans 13:12-14

God’s Will Psalm 40:6-8 Psalm 143:5-10 Matthew 12:46-50 Matthew 26:42

Gratitude Hebrews 13:11-16 1 Peter 2:7-10 Isaiah 12:1-2 Colossians 1:12 Psalm 106:1 Luke 17:11-19

Courage Deuteronomy 31:1-6 Philippians 1:27-28 2 Chronicles 32:1-8 Psalm 46:1-2 Psalm 143:5-10 Psalm 91 John 16:33 Ephesians 6:10-17 Psalm 28:6-9 Psalm 34:1-2

Dependence Upon God

2 Chronicles 20:6-12 John 15:5 Psalm 127:1 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 Jeremiah 10:23-24 Matthew 28:18 John 3:22-27 Psalm 139:1-5 Deuteronomy 33:27

Freedom Matthew 10:8 John 8:32 Romans 6:7 Romans 6:22

Galatians 5:1 Genesis 2:16 1 Peter 2:16 Romans 8:2,21

Honesty 1 John 1:8-9 1 Peter 3:10 Romans 12:17 Philippians 4:8

John 17:14-19 Romans 12:1-2 Ephesians 6:6-7 James 4:13-16

2 Corinthians 4:15-18 Psalm 107:1-2 Psalm 9:11-12 1 Peter 2:9-10 Luke 15:11-32 Matthew 15:21-31

2 Corinthians. 8:16-21 Leviticus 19:35-36 Leviticus 19:11 2 Corinthians 13:7

Let Go and Let God 2 Corinthians 1:9 Psalm 46:1 Psalm 31:24

Psalm 42:9-11 Psalm 71:1-5 Jeremiah 17:7-8 Psalm 33:18-22 Psalm 39:1-7

Live and Let Live Luke 10:38-42 Matthew 7:3-5 Matthew 7:1 Romans 2:1

1 Thessalonians 4:11 Romans 14:4 Romans 14:13 1 Corinthians 4:5

One Day at a Time Luke 12:25-26

Deuteronomy 28:67 Luke 12:11-12

Philippians 4:6 1 Peter 5:7 Matthew 6:25-34 Galatians 5:13-14

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Suggested Topics for Groups—Continued

Overcoming John 16:33 Romans 12:21 Galatians 5:13-16 John 8:31-32 John 1:16-17

Galatians 4:8,9 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Nahum 1:7 Isaiah 40:28,31 1 John 5:4-5

Vengeance

Proverbs 20:22 Matthew 5:38-39 Leviticus 19:18 Romans 12:14-18 Proverbs 24:28-29 1 Peter 3:9

Serenity (Peace) Psalm 51:12 Matthew 5:6-10 Isaiah 26:3 Psalm 16:11 Psalm 30:5

Jeremiah 15:16 John 15:11 1 Peter 3:11 Psalm 146:5 Proverbs 17:22

Willingness Isaiah 1:18-19 Judges 5:1,2 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Psalm 110:3

Exodus 35:5 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Judges 8:23-25 Nehemiah 11:1-2

Appendix

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Sample Letter This is a sample letter that can be used as a guide for participants. This letter gives important information about how your ministry is not a substitute for medical or psychological care.

Dear Friend, Welcome to the (Your ministry name) ministry of the _____________________ church. We are pleased you have chosen to be a part of this ministry.

Each person in our ministry is trained to listen, pray, and help others find biblical wisdom with which to guide their lives. Although we believe that all of us are created in God’s image and consist of a body, soul, and spirit, our approach is primarily spiritual and biblical rather than simply psychological or physiological.

However, we all attempt to live our lives and carry out our ministry in consistency with sound psychological principles which are in harmony with biblical principles. Each of our group leaders has been through a training program that emphasizes the importance of human relationships built on Christian theology and the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is important for you as a group participant to realize that we in the (Your ministry name)__________ ministry of ______________________ Church are not a substitute for medical or psychological care. We never advise anyone to stop taking medication or cancel their doctor’s care.

We give our time, compassion, and love solely as caring lay persons who want to be channels of Christ’s love to people who are hurting and desire wholeness in Christ. As noncredentialed persons, we promise no professional psychological expertise. However, we do have a desire to see the Lord help you with your struggles. We will join you in prayer. Below are some guidelines that may be helpful to you as a group member: • Please call in advance if you cannot attend a group meeting.

• Sessions will start at __________________ and conclude by ________________.

• Our groups are normally led by two group facilitators.

• The _______________________ group will meet on _________________ evenings.

Sincerely, _________________ Coordinator __________________ Church

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Bibliography

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Selected Bibliography Apthorp, Stephen P. Alcohol and Substance Abuse. Wilton, CT: Morehouse-Barlow, 1985.

Augsburger, David. Caring Enough to Confront. Glendale: Regal, 1980.

Balswick, Jack O., and Judith K. Balswick. The Family—A Christian Perspective on the Contemporary Home. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989.

Barna, George. Absolute Confusion. Ventura: Regal Books, 1993.

Beattie, Melody. Codependent No More. New York: Harper and Row, 1988.

Benner, David G. (ed.). Psychotherapy in Christian Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987.

Bennett, William J. The Index of Leading Cultural Indicators. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1994.

Bird, Warren. “The Great Small Group Takeover.” Christianity Today, 7 February 1994, p.

27.

Brock, Raymond T. Parenting the Elementary Child—Leader’s Guide. Springfield: Radiant Life, 1995.

Callahan, Kennon L. Effective Church Leadership. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1990.

Capell-Sowder, Kathy, et al. Codependency: An Emerging Issue. Pompano Beach: Health Communications, 1984.

Collins, Gary R. Christian Counseling. Waco: Word, 1980. ______. Innovative Approaches to Counseling. Dallas: Word, 1986. ______, and Timothy E. Clinton. Baby Boomer Blues. Dallas: Word, 1992.

Colson, Charles. The Body. Dallas: Word, 1992.

Covey, Stephen R. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1989.

Crabb, Lawrence J. Connecting. Nashville: Word Publishing, 1997. ______. Effective Biblical Counseling. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1977.

Elwell, Walter A. (ed.). Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984.

George, Carl F. The Coming Church Revolution. Grand Rapids: Revell, 1994.

Gorman, Julie A. Community That Is Christian. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1993.

Hart, Archibald D. Adrenalin and Stress. Dallas: Word, 1991. ______. Counseling the Depressed. Dallas: Word, 1987.

Hegstrom, Paul. Broken Children, Grown-Up Pain. Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 2001.

Hestenes, Roberta. Using the Bible in Groups. Philadelphia: The Westminister, 1983.

Johnson, Vernon E. I’ll Quit Tomorrow. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1980.

Krupnick, Louis B., and Elizabeth Krupnick. From Despair to Decision. Minneapolis:

Bibliography

—Continued on next page

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Selected Bibliography—continued CompCare, 1985.

Lean, Garth. On the Tail of a Comet. Colorado Springs: Helmers and Howard, 1985.

Lee, Jimmy R. Evangelism Manual. Chattanooga: Living Free Ministries, 1991. ______. Insight Group Facilitator’s Guide. Chattanooga: Living Free Ministries, 1995. ______. Small Group Skills Guide. Chattanooga: Living Free Ministries, 1995 ______. Understanding the Times and Knowing What to Do. Chattanooga: Living Free Ministries, 1997.

Malony, H. Newton, et al. Clergy Malpractice. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1986.

McDowell, Josh, Dick Day. Why Wait? San Bernadino: Here’s Life Publishers, 1987.

McGee, Robert S. Father Hunger. Ann Arbor: Servant Publications, 1993.

Meier, Paul D., et al. Child-Rearing. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1993.

Menninger, Karl. Whatever Became of Sin? New York: Hawthorn, 1973.

Miller, J. Keith. Sin: Overcoming the Ultimate Deadly Addiction. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1987.

Miller, Kevin Dale. “Putting an End to Christian Psychology.” Christianity Today, 14 August 1995, p.17.

Minirth, Frank, et al. Love Hunger. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. _______. Taking Control. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1988.

Narramore, S. Bruce. No Condemnation. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.

O’Gorman, Patricia, and Philip Oliver-Diaz. Breaking the Cycle of Addiction. Deerfield Beach: Health Communications, 1987.

Perkins, Bill. Fatal Attractions. Eugene: Harvest House, 1991.

Resnik, Hank (ed.). Youth and Drugs: Society’s Mixed Messages. Rockville: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1990.

Seamands, David A. Healing for Damaged Emotions. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1981.

Stanley, Charles F. Handle with Care. Wheaton: Victor, 1988.

Sweeten, Gary R. Apples of Gold II Teacher’s Manual. Cincinnati: Christian Information Committee, 1983.

Stott, John. The Gospel and the End of Time. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1991.

Thurman, Chris. The Lies We Believe. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989.

Turnbull, Ralph G. (ed.). Baker’s Handbook of Practical Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1967.

Twerski, Abraham. Addictive Thinking. New York: Harper and Row, 1990.

VanVonderen, Jeffrey. Good News for the Chemically Dependent. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1985.

Wilson, Sandra D. Counseling Adult Children of Alcoholics. Dallas: Word Publishing, 1989. _______. Hurt People Hurt People. Grand Rapids: Discovery House Publishers, 2001.

Wuthnow, Robert. “How Small Groups Are Transforming Our Lives.” Christianity Today, 7 February 1994, pp. 23-24.

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