Classic Program: Starter Facilitator Handbook for Healing Groups

in the book have been carefully crafted. If you decide to use other questions, test them first. For most discussions, have participants close their books. While they are discussing, look ahead and get ready for the next section. After the group participation, always get some feedback to find out what the group already knows. Add anything from the book not already stated. Then transition to the next section of the lesson. See the diagram on page 16. As much as possible, have the participants practice new skills—for example, the listening exercise, writing a lament, writing a letter to a loved one who has committed suicide, and so forth. Allow time for them to apply what they have learned to their lives. There are opportunities for this throughout the lessons. You can also prepare a reflection sheet for the lessons you have covered. Give copies to the participants and allow time for them to fill it in at the end of the session or the end of the day.

TRAUMA HEALING REFLECTION What do you really want to remember and use from each topic?

1. If God loves us, why do we suffer? 2. How can the wounds of our heart be healed? And so forth . . .

Time management is an art. Be realistic about how much you can do in the time allotted. Guide the group without giving the impression that you don’t have enough time. There is no need to say things like “We’re short on time so we’ll skip that.” Just skip those parts without comment. Less is more: don’t go into lecture mode. Keep it participatory and skip some of the content.

Facilitating Groups

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