1. Hold an orientation meeting two weeks ahead of the first class to get the study materials distributed and to make the class expectations known. Express the importance of confidentiality within the group setting.
2. Make a master list of your student’s names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. From this list, you will begin to encourage your students. This can be done with a phone call, a written note, or an email message. Try to contact students in one of these ways every 2 weeks for optimum impact.
3. Prepare name tags for everyone before your first class. Collect the name tags after class. Name tags are lost less if the leader keeps them from week to week.
4. With the group’s help, decide on whether or not refreshments will be made available each week and who will provide those items.
5. Ninety minutes should be allowed to complete each session.
6. Try to start on time. Open with a brief prayer.
7. Recite the week’s verse together. Discuss how the verse will relate to the week’s lesson. Recite the quote in the shadowed box together.
8. If the first or second question of the lesson does not cover the extra homework, assigned at the end of the prior week’s lesson and located in the “Workbook Enhancement Pages” at the back of the workbook, be sure to ask your students if they have completed these pages. Take a few minutes to discuss those materials.
9. Begin the small group discussion with question number one. Please note the correct way to lead group dialogue is:
A. Do NOT have the leader doing all the talking. The students are passive with this form of leadership. Blended Families Workbook groups are NOT designed to work this way. We are looking for interaction with one another. We are students among students.
B. The CORRECT way to lead a group is to facilitate and guide the discussion. Everyone should be encouraged to participate. Call on students by name. Use eye contact. Unless vulnerability needs to be demonstrated for the students to follow suit, allow the students to answer the questions first. The leader can add his/her thoughts after the students have spoken. Remember there is not a “right” or “wrong” answer. Freedom to express insights without fear of rebuke is necessary to establish a healthy exchange of information.
C. Lead by EXAMPLE. Have your homework done and ready to share. Demonstrate good stewardship by applying the lessons to your own life. Leaders should not arrive with a list of excuses for not having their lesson done. Students cannot be held accountable if the leaders do not demonstrate this quality themselves.
10. At the end of each week’s lesson, read aloud and in unison the “Reflective Moment” box.
11. Define the next week’s lesson so the students fully understand the homework that is required.
12. Ask for prayer requests from the group.
13. Close in prayer. Don’t leave this prayer time open ended. One person may do the entire prayer. Or, one person can be selected to open the closing prayer and another to close the closing prayer. If time allows, you may choose to let others pray in between the opening and closing prayer at the end of your group meeting.
14. Remember to pray for your students during the week.
15. Collect the Evaluation Sheets from your students at the beginning of the week 6 lesson of Unit Two. Call Maxine Marsolini, at (503) 320-8840, for instructions on how to forward those evaluations.
16. The Last Class (week 6 of Unit Two):
Have the group turn to page 157 of the workbook. If the students are ready, have them complete the Promise of Commitment sheet. The students will sign their individual Promise of Commitment and have it witnessed by two other people in the group.
Certificates of Completion are available for all students who complete at least 4 weeks of Unit One and four weeks of Unit Two. These certificates are located at the back of each workbook. A nicer, frameable, Certificate of Completion is found here and can be printed out in color. Leaders should sign these graduation certificates, one per couple (or individual), upon completing Unit One and then again after Unit Two.
17. Extras (not required):
Find examples in the news that relate to the week’s lesson.
Plan a social to get better acquainted with the families. This can be done either between Unit One and Unit Two or at the end of the twelve weeks.
