Classic Program: Starter Facilitator Handbook for Healing Groups

Lesson 8 Section Sub points

LG: Sing a song. The leader reads Isaiah 53:4–6. (5 min)

2. Bring your wounds & pain to Jesus (25 min)

LG: Invite everyone to bring their paper to the cross. It can either be nailed to the cross or put in a box at the foot of the cross. (10 min) LG: Collect the papers and go outside (have a plan ready in case of rain). Gather in a large circle. Read Isaiah 61:1–3. Sing some worship songs during this time. Burn the papers in the middle while the group sings. Have someone offer a prayer of thanks to God. (10 min) LG: After the papers are burned, invite people to share (briefly!) what God has done in them this week. Finish with a closing prayer, a song (like “It is well with my soul”), and either the Lord’s Prayer or “ May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all ” (Phil 4:23). (10 min)

3. Sharing what God has done (10 min)

Tips 1. Emphasize that the cross is used as a symbol of Christ. Occasionally participants from certain denominations find it hard to accept using a cross. 2. If the weather is damp, put a little kerosene under the papers so that they burn easily. 3. Some groups prefer to combine the Pain to the cross ceremony with the Forgiveness ceremony as the final activity before the group disbands. To do this, have participants divide their papers into three parts: • Sins they want to ask God to forgive • Pain they want to bring to God • Bitterness they are holding against anyone. For each part, read appropriate Scripture and give people time in silence to reflect and write.

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Classic Program Facilitator Handbook