I. Introduction (10 Minutes)

1. Lead prayer for all of the couples.

II. Sharing Session (87 Minutes)

1. Ask 3-4 people how they answered the questions on pages 18-20 in the handbook (3 minutes).
2. Introduce the sharing session in a special way for this session only (1 minute)
   1. “This session is all about sexual fulfillment and affection.”
   2. “Whenever we talk about sex, we tend to be embarrassed and consequently get silly in our remarks.”
   3. “Unfortunately, when we do so, we do a disservice to the entire group.”
      1. “First, we fail to allow anyone to grow by keeping the discussion on a superficial level.”
      2. “Second, we alienate anyone who has had a traumatic sexual experience.”
   4. “If we cannot discuss sexual fulfillment as a precious gift of God in its purity and holiness here, where will we discuss it as God intended it to be?”
   5. “Let’s keep this in mind as we share in this session.”
3. Tell about the three chairs on the side of the room (1 minute).
   1. Introduce the person from the first chair.
   2. Once the first sharer stands, the person in the other two chairs move up one chair each.
   3. Someone from the audience fills in the last chair.
   4. Each sharer in turn answers the four questions on page 22 in the handbook.
      1. Encourage sharers not to read their written answers from the page but to talk freely.
      2. Make sure everyone can read questions on the back board when each is standing at the front.
   5. Explain again how applause gives affirmation and support.
   6. Remind them to use page 32 in the handbook to make notes on deeper insights into their spouse and how to meet his or her needs.
   7. Remind them to use the same page to make notes for class affirmations.
4. Start the group sharing (80 minutes)
   1. You and your assistant go first—be open and answer each properly, not using notes.
   2. Fill your sharing chairs.
   3. Introduce the first sharer.
   4. Applaud after each sharer.
   5. Affirm each sharer in turn.
   6. Introduce each new sharer in turn.
   7. Do this until everyone has shared and been affirmed.
5. Recap and vote for the person showing the most desire to meet their spouse’s emotional needs (3 minutes).
   1. No one votes until the recap concludes.
   2. The assistant collects the votes.
      1. No one ever ties or hears there was a tie.
      2. The assistant breaks ties for first or third place and fills in the award.
   3. Dismiss the group to their break.

III. Break (10 minutes)

IV. Final Session (42 minutes)

1. Present the award to the recipient (2 minutes).
   1. Ask the three honorees to stand one at a time and applaud for each.
   2. Make sure all three sit down before presenting the award.
   3. Have the award recipient thank the group and share the book for class notes of encouragement.
2. Explain next week’s homework (1 minute)—refer to page 24 in the handbook.
3. Group affirmation (9 minutes)
   1. Give everyone 20 seconds to select one person who touched him or her, and thank the person for his or her message, attitude, example, or encouragement.
   2. Remind everyone to confer with his or her Prayer Notes.
   3. Keep time on each person to avoid going over time.
   4. If your time runs out before the entire group has an opportunity to affirm another, stop the activity anyway.
4. Closing Activity: Have each person come to the front for affirmation (25 minutes).
   1. The assistant keeps time—60 seconds per person.
   2. Explain that we desire only positive affirmations; nothing silly or frivolous.
   3. Explain that the only response allowed is “Thank you.”
   4. Have the spouse of the affirmed person write as many of the affirmations as possible on page 23 of the affirmed person’s handbook.

V. Conclusion (3 minutes)

1. “What did you learn tonight?”
2. Give a brief, encouraging pep talk.
3. Closing prayer (Ask each couple to pray together—not only for their own maturing relationship, but for the other couples in the class as well.)

Class Preparation Checklist:

1. Listen to “Facilitator Skills” and “Session 3” messages on the Facilitator audio message.
2. Pray for each couple by name; pray for God to use you.
3. Prepare the name tags.
4. Bring an award to class.
5. Bring extra pens.
6. Bring a box of facial tissue.
7. Bring ballots to class.
8. Make sure the refreshments are coming.

Classroom Set-up Checklist:

1. Arrange room furniture for classroom set-up.
2. Eliminate outside viewing of the classroom.
3. Put “Do Not Enter” signs on all doors to the classroom.
4. Write the sharing session questions on the board (see page 22 in the student handbook).