I. Introduction (5 Minutes)

1. Ask 3-4 people to share their answers to the question at the top of page 272.
2. If time allows, ask 3-4 people to share the most helpful thing they read about or experienced regarding Sexual Intimacy.

II. Sharing Session (87 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 291.
   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 (75 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 Sexual Intimacy that he or she shared.
   2. An example might be, “Tracy; sexual intimacy is more spiritual than I ever realized.”
   3. After the last person recaps, distribute the ballots.
   4. Ask each person to write the name of the couple who improved their marriage the most in this course.
   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 (39 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. Introduce the group affirmation (12 minutes)
   1. Direct people to scan the notes they wrote on page 291 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.
3. Conduct the closing activity (20 minutes)
   1. Ask each couple to turn their chairs towards each other.
   2. Ask the ladies to move their chairs forward until their knees touch the front of their husband’s chairs.
   3. Ask the couples to hold hands and look into each other’s eyes.
   4. Explain to the ladies that until you tell them otherwise, they cannot say a word.
   5. Inform the men that until you tell them otherwise, they must do all the talking.
      1. Say to the men, “For the next two minutes, share the ways your wife shows you respect and commitment that you really appreciate. Go.”
      2. When the time expires, say to the men, “For the next two minutes, share the ways your wife is kind and honest that make you love her. Go.”
      3. When the time expires, say to the men, “For the next two minutes, share the ways your wife supports your dreams and emotions that draw you to her. Go.”
   6. Give the men 10 seconds to catch their breath!
   7. Reverse the roles.
      1. Say to the ladies, “For the next two minutes, share the ways your husband shows you respect and commitment that you really appreciate. Go.”
      2. Then say to the ladies, “For the next two minutes, share the ways your husband is kind and honest that make you love him. Go.”
      3. Finally, say to the ladies, “For the next two minutes, share the ways your husband supports your dreams and emotions that draw you to him. Go.”
   8. Ask how this activity positively affected them. (Take 2-3 responses from each gender.)
   9. Once the activity ends, instruct everyone to turn to page 292 in their workbooks and write what their spouse said to them during the exercise.

V. Conclusion (6 Minutes)

1. Collect everyone’s sealed envelopes.
2. Talk about follow-up and tell them you will be getting back to them very soon about a plan. (Contact your Ministry Consultant about options available for follow-up.)
3. Give a brief, encouraging Pep Talk to keep working on their marriages.
   1. Remind everyone to take the End of Class Survey.
   2. Explain that without the End of Class Survey, their Beginning of Class Survey cannot be processed.
   3. Ask everyone to turn to page 289 in their workbooks.
   4. Read to them the note at the bottom of the page about how to access the survey.
4. Close with a prayer.

Class Preparation Checklist:

1. Listen to “Facilitator Skills” and “Session 8” 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 large envelope.
6. Bring a box of facial tissue
7. Bring ballots
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 290 in the student handbook).