I. Introduction (7 Minutes)

1. Pray for all of the couples.

II. Sharing Session (85 Minutes)

1. Ask what they wrote in answer to the question at the bottom of page 36 in the handbook (3 minutes).
   1. Call on people who wrote answers in the handbook.
   2. Briefly affirm each answer.
2. Tell about the three chairs on the side (1 minute).
   1. Have them answer questions on page 41 in the handbook.
   2. Encourage them not to read answers from the page but to talk freely.
   3. Write the questions on the back board where all can see them.
   4. Explain again how applause gives affirmation and support.
   5. Remind them to use page 48 in the handbook for notes to use during the group encouragement time.
3. 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.
4. Recap and vote for the person showing the most growth so far during this course (3 minutes).
   1. No one votes until the recap concludes.
   2. The assistant collects the votes.
      1. No one ever hears there was a tie.
      2. The assistant breaks ties for first or third place and fills in the card or book.
   3. Dismiss the group to their break.

III. Break (15 Minutes)

IV. Final Session (38 Minutes)

1. Present the award to the recipient (2 minutes).
   1. Have the top three honorees stand one at a time and applaud for each.
   2. Make sure all three sit down together before presenting the award.
   3. Allow the award recipient to thank the group and pass around the award for notes.
2. Explain next week’s homework (1 minute)—refer to page 42 in handbook.
3. Group affirmation (12 minutes)
   1. Give everyone 30 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: Ask everyone to come to the front one at a time and tell the positive things he or she has gained from this course (20 minutes).
   1. Each person can only talk one minute.
   2. Explain that the assistant will wave at 45 seconds and again at one minute.
   3. Do not permit anyone to talk beyond the one-minute mark.

V. Conclusion (5 Minutes)

1. “What did you learn tonight?”
2. “Tell me something good you learned about yourself, your spouse, or your marriage.”
3. Closing prayer (Ask each couple to pray together, especially for any difficulties they encountered in the homework.)

Class Preparation Checklist:

1. Listen to “Facilitator Skills” and “Session 5” 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 41 in the student handbook).