I. Introduction (5 Minutes)

1. Ask 3-4 people to share their answers to the question at the top of page 235.
2. If time allows, ask 3-4 people to share the most helpful thing they read about or experienced regarding Spiritual Intimacy.

II. Sharing Session (92 Minutes)

1. Explain the purpose and format for taking notes in the class (1 minute)
   1. Instruct the class to open their workbooks to page 251.
   2. Write down what people say that you want to pray about.
   3. Also, write down things people say that you might want to affirm in the Group Affirmation time later in the session.
2. Explain the sharing format (1 minute)
   1. Go to the three Waiting-to-Share Chairs at the front from now on.
   2. Remember that you have only 2.5 minutes to answer the four questions.
   3. The assistant gives a 2-minute wave and a final wave at 2.5 minutes.
   4. Please do not bring your workbook to the front.
3. Model the sharing (5 minutes)
   1. The facilitator always shares first.
      1. Share your heartfelt answers based on your growth this week.
      2. Model how to share transparently, honestly, keeping within the time limit, and remembering to answer all four questions.
      3. The assistant does not affirm you unless both affirm people.
   2. The assistant always shares second.
      1. The assistant follows the facilitator guidelines in sharing.
      2. The assistant receives an affirmation from the facilitator.
4. Conduct the sharing (77 minutes)
   1. Introduce the first Waiting-to-Share Chair occupant within 5 seconds.
   2. From the back, maintain eye contact with each sharer.
   3. Lead the group applause after each sharer finishes.
   4. Affirm one thing sharer says or does within 15 seconds from the front.
   5. Introduce the next sharer now sitting in the first Waiting-to-Share chair.
   6. Continue this process until everyone shares.
5. Conduct the recap and vote (5 minutes)
   1. Ask each person to state his first name and a 1-5 word phrase that captures the most important thing about Spiritual Intimacy that he or she shared.
   2. An example might be, “Marco; I need help with forgiving others.”
   3. After the last person recaps, distribute the ballots.
   4. Ask each person to write the name of the person who worked the hardest to upgrade his or her Spiritual Intimacy this past week.
   5. The assistant collects the ballots.
   6. After dismissing the couples to the breakout area, the assistant counts the ballots, breaks any important ties, and fills in the award.

III. Break (15 Minutes)

IV. Final Session (38 Minutes)

1. Present the award (2 minutes)
   1. Introduce the three honorees to the group using the correct procedure.
   2. Lead the applause as each one stands.
   3. Ask all three to sit down together after you honor all three together.
   4. Call the name of the book recipient and begin the applause.
   5. Ask the book recipient to come to the front, accept the book, and express thanks to the group for the honor.
   6. Ask the book recipient to start the note writing process.
2. Explain the next week’s Growth Opportunity Timeline on page 254 (1 minute)
3. Introduce the group affirmation (10 minutes)
   1. Direct people to scan the notes they wrote on page 251 and select one person to affirm when called upon.
   2. Explain that each person stands in turn, and in 20 seconds or less, affirms one thing the selected person did or said in class.
   3. Explain that at the 20-second mark, the assistant will call time, and the affirmation stops immediately.
   4. Explain the difference between an affirmation and advice.
      1. Affirmation: “Thank you” for something the person said or did.
      2. Advice (what we do not want): “I encourage you to do so and so.”
   5. Begin with anyone and ask that person to affirm someone.
   6. Continue until everyone affirms one other person.
4. Conduct the closing activity (20 minutes)
   1. Ask each couple to turn to page 252 and exchange workbooks.
   2. Place two chairs at the front facing each other.
   3. Explain that everyone goes to the chair on his or her side of the center aisle one at a time in the order you designate.
   4. When called upon, a person will stand, move to the center of the room, and say nothing.
   5. The assistant will say “Go” and 45 seconds later will say “Stop.”
   6. During these 45 seconds, the group tells the person his or her spiritual attributes.
   7. The spouse writes what he or she hears people say on page 252 of the spouse’s workbook.
   8. Explain that the spouse of the one standing up front my stay seated in his or her own chair to write what the group says to his or her spouse, but to move quickly to the chair at the front as soon as possible.
   9. Go to the front and let the group tell you your spiritual attributes as facilitators ONLY if the group insists. If they say nothing, move on.

V. Conclusion (5 Minutes)

1. Ask 3-4 people what they learned from listening to everyone share their stories.
2. Give a brief, encouraging Pep Talk.
3. Get them to re-commit to completing the growth opportunities every day, being on time next week, and signing the Growth Opportunity Timeline for Session 8 sheet.
4. Close with a prayer.

Class Preparation Checklist:

1. Listen to “Facilitator Skills” and “Session 7” messages on the Facilitator audio message.
2. Pray for each couple by name; pray for God to use you
3. Prepare the nametags
4. Bring an award
5. Bring a box of facial tissue
6. Bring ballots
7. 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 250 in the student handbook).