ORIENTATION SESSION

(Approximately 60 minutes)

Materials Needed:

Bible(s), copies of When You Pray: Daily Practices for Prayerful Living for all participants, any items needed for your Prayerwork activity

Opening (5 minutes)

Welcome participants and open with prayer. Read aloud a brief Scripture and offer a prayer in response. You may say your own prayer or use the following:

Loving God, you are a God of relationship. You love us without limit and call us into relationship with you through your Son, Jesus Christ. You make your home within us, indwelling us with your Holy Spirit. You are our ever-present companion, our loving and wise guide, our very source of life and strength. We long to know you more—to draw nearer to you through prayer so that we may walk more closely with you each day and live faithfully and fully as followers of Jesus Christ. Guide us in this process. "Lord, teach us to pray." We ask it in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Introduction (5-10 minutes)

In advance, familiarize yourself with the introduction of this book. Present the information found there in your own words, noting that one of the most effective ways to cultivate a meaningful prayer life is to explore and practice prayer in community.

Announce that a variety of small groups will be forming in the coming weeks for that very purpose. (Indicate the number of weeks that groups will be meeting, or acknowledge that each group may make this decision.)

Explain that although the groups will use the same resource—When You Pray: Daily Practices for Prayerful Living by Rueben P. Job—they will have the option of choosing one or more styles or approaches designed to meet different needs and interests. Note that groups may choose one style or approach or mix them up from week to week as they choose.

Briefly present and explain the five group options to participants:

Discussion-based–for those who prefer to emphasize group discussion

Activity-based–for those desiring more hands-on activity

Introspective–for those who prefer reflective, selfexamining practices such as meditation and journaling

Arts-focused–for those who enjoy various modes of artistic expression

Habit Breaker–for those eager to break out of old habits and try new approaches

Overview (15 minutes)

In advance, become familiar with each of the five group session templates. Note that 1) the session outline is basically the same from group to group (with the exception of the Introspective Group, which substitutes Journaling Time for Group Discussion/ Application), and 2) the distinctions or nuances among the groups are found in how each segment of the session outline is approached or carried out.

If possible, provide copies of When You Pray for all participants, or have participants share. Present the basic outline of the group session:

Opening
Invitational Prayer
Scripture Reading
Devotional Reading
Group Discussion/Application (or Journaling Time)
Prayerwork
Group Prayer
A Time of Commitment
Closing

As you move through each segment of the outline, explaining what will happen at that time, note any nuances or distinctions suggested for each of the five groups. For example, a candle and instrumental music are added to the Opening for introspective groups, while arts-focused groups are encouraged to use a visual element during this time. Likewise, the Group Prayer becomes more active for activity-based groups with the addition of doodling, drawing, or movement, while arts-focused groups are instructed to create a prayer mural. During the time ordinarily set aside for Group Discussion, introspective groups engage in journaling instead. And so forth.

Prayerwork (15-20 minutes)

Highlight the importance of the Prayerwork activities, noting that a list of suggestions is provided for each of the five groups. Groups are encouraged to select one idea for each session, and/or to create/find their own prayer activities tailored to address their specific needs and interests. (A multitude of ideas may be found by searching the Internet or a local library or bookstore.)

In advance, choose a Prayerwork activity and gather any necessary materials. Lead the group through the exercise at this time.

Questions (5 minutes)

Have a time for questions and answers. Write down any questions you are unable to answer at this time, and get back to the individual with an answer later.

Closing (5 minutes)

Invite participants to join you in the Closing from the sample session for discussion-based groups (found on page 64).

Read aloud the following Scripture blessing:

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Follow the blessing with a benediction that the group may recite together. For example, you might say together, "May the Lord bless you and keep you," "Live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you," "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you," or some other benediction of your choosing.

In advance, create five sign-up sheets—one for each of the five group styles—or one sign-up sheet with a column where individuals may note their preferred group style. Allow space for name, phone number, and email address. Invite those who are interested in joining/leading a group to sign up on their way out.

DISCUSSION-BASED GROUP

Session Plan Template

(Note: This template outlines a session of just under 60 minutes. To decrease the time, eliminate one or more segments of your choosing. To extend the session, allow more time for Prayerwork and/or Group Discussion/Application.)

Materials Needed:

Bible(s), When You Pray: Daily Practices for Prayerful Living, any items needed for your Prayerwork activity

Opening (1-3 minutes)

"Becoming Aware of God's Presence"

The opening is a time to prepare yourselves for encountering God. After welcoming participants, read aloud a brief Scripture passage intended to help group members focus their minds and hearts on recognizing and welcoming God's presence (see "Becoming Aware of God's Presence" in When You Pray).

Invitational Prayer (3 minutes)

"Inviting God's Intervention"

Spend a few moments inviting God to act—in your lives, your families, your small group, your church, your community, and your world. After reading aloud a brief Scripture or text (see "Inviting God's...