NOTE TO LEADER: The speech now gives you three choices, depending on what the Institution allows with regard to grouping, and whether your Advisory Council has decided that Prayer and Share groups will start out as the families from the Kairos Weekend.  Select the appropriate section for your situation.

A. If the Institution allows formal, weekly grouping, AND you will start Prayer and Share groups as the families from the Kairos Weekend, use the following…

We saw miracles happen during the Kairos Weekend.  They can continue to happen.  The key to that happening lies in the Prayer and Share Cards which we gave to you.  We encourage you to be part of a Prayer and Share group along with your table family from the Kairos, and meet for an hour once a week, with each person in the group covering each step in that card, and you will soon have exactly the kind of fellowship you experienced on the short course in here every day. 

(TEAM NOTE:  It is of the utmost importance that the team remain with the residents during the following time of decision making.  The team and the community which was formed for the short course created a safe place for these residents in which they could root and grow in Christ.  If those not already grouping are to make a decision to do so, it will be done in the face of the strength perceived in the presence of those gathered for this Instructional Reunion.)

Gentlemen/Ladies, what you have been doing in your small groups TODAY is exactly what is done in the weekly Prayer and Share Groups. Look at the Prayer and Share Grouping Cards which we have given you. Nothing on there demands as much vulnerability as what you have already EXPERIENCED today.

Getting together with some friends once a week to talk about Jesus, to fellowship, to maybe do some Bible study is a good thing.  We need to do that sort of thing.  It is good for us.  But it will not help us to hang on to what we found during our weekend.  

To do that, we must gather in our group and go through our grouping cards, step by step each week.  There is a discipline there which assures us of growth in Christ and of power from Christ in our walk. Some of us exercise regularly or practice given skills to maintain what we have accomplished.  We follow a program in doing so.  If we didn't, we would end up with poor bodies and weak skills.

The same thing is true of the discipline needed to build a desirable spiritual life.  You can't see a spiritual life by looking at or listening to a person alone, but you can always see a spiritual life by watching a person’s actions, their relationships with others.  

The steps which we have just reviewed in the Prayer and Share Group Card provide the program for our spiritual growth just as surely as regular exercise and practice maintain our bodies and our skills.  And as we heard on the weekend, unless we want our spiritual configuration to render us spiritually weak, we need to balance all three legs on that stool, with equal attention to our spirituality, our discovery and our action.

FORMATION OF GROUPS

Dear Brothers/Sisters, it was by no accident that you were chosen to be part of the family that you were part of on the Kairos.  Before we knew you, we prayed that God would select the ones He wanted to be at the Kairos.  Then, when we knew your names, we prayed that He would guide us in placing you in the family that He wanted for you.  You were placed there because He put it on our hearts that this was your home.  

For these reasons, we encourage you to start your Prayer and Share journey as a family – as the family where you have already developed some love and trust.  As time goes on, and you understand the impact that Prayer and Share has on your Christian life, you might decide to make a different decision, but for now, we ask you to commit to one another to help one another in your Prayer and Share family.

NOTE TO LEADER:  Now is the time to get the names of the persons who will be in each group.  The coordinator or another member of the Team might be given the job of supervising this, but the Leader should make the announcement when the time comes.

It is also important to have this information for the Chaplain in the event he/she wants to issue call-outs for the Prayer and Share Group meetings.

If the 3-Day Kairos Weekend which has just been offered is the first one in the institution, then peer support structure for grouping will begin with getting these names at this reunion.

If the security in the institution demands that residents be placed on a call-out sheet in order to group with persons other than those in their own housing facility, then arrangements should be made for the chapel or some other facility to be made available for grouping.  The place and times available should be announced and those wishing to group should indicate information necessary for the call out sheet in order to be called.  

B. If the Institution allows formal, weekly grouping, AND you will start Prayer and Share groups by allowing the Participants to select a group, use the following…

We saw miracles happen during the short course.  They can continue to happen.  The key to that happening lies in the Prayer and Share Cards which we gave to you.  Get into a small group, or form one, and meet for an hour once a week, with each person in the group covering each step in that card, and you will soon have exactly the kind of fellowship you experienced on the short course in here every day. 

(TEAM NOTE:  It is of the utmost importance that the team remain with the residents during the following time of decision making.  The team and the community which was formed for the short course created a safe place for these residents in which they could root and grow in Christ.  If those not already grouping are to make a decision to do so, it will be done in the face of the strength perceived in the presence of those gathered for this Instructional Reunion.)

Gentlemen/Ladies, what you have been doing in your small groups TODAY is exactly what is done in the weekly Prayer and Share Groups. Look at the Prayer and Share Grouping Cards which we have given you. Nothing on there demands as much vulnerability as what you have already EXPERIENCED today.

Getting together with some friends once a week to talk about Jesus, to fellowship, to maybe do some Bible study is a good thing.  We need to do that sort of thing.  It is good for us.  But it may not provide enough community support to hang on to what we found during our weekend.  

To do that, we should gather in our group and go through our grouping cards, step by step each week.  There is a discipline there which assures us of growth in Christ and of power from Christ in our walk. Some of us exercise regularly or practice given skills to maintain what we have accomplished.  We follow a program in doing so.  If we didn't, we would end up with poor bodies and slight skills.

The same thing is true of the discipline needed to build a desirable spiritual life.  You can't see a spiritual life by looking at or listening to a person alone, but you can always see a spiritual life by watching a person’s actions, their relationships with others.  You must also understand that there is grace in grouping.  It is an important activity, but we must work in love with our brothers and sisters because they may struggle at different times.  Too much rigidity can also turn someone away from grouping.  

The steps which we have just reviewed in the Prayer and Share Group Card provide the program for our spiritual growth just as surely as regular exercise and practice maintain our bodies and our skills.  And as we heard on the weekend, unless we want our spiritual configuration to render us spiritually weak, we need to balance all three legs on that stool, with equal attention to our spirituality, our discovery and our action.

Some of you, I suspect, are already in Prayer and Share Groups. How many of you are?  Please raise your hands.  Would you please come up and stand over here on my right.  Now will the rest of you who want to be in a group come up and stand over here on my left and let's see if we can't get you into a group right now. 

FORMATION OF GROUPS

The Leader now steps out to join them as they come forward, allowing them to begin to move into groups.  The team members who are small group facilitators need to be very sensitive to the needs of their groups.  They need to stay in constant prayer for those in their small groups, including the ones who go forward immediately.

Those most in need of ministry at this time are probably the ones who hang back and don’t come forward.  The group facilitator’s first obligation is to work with those who hang back in an attempt to get them to go forward.  Under no circumstances should any team member (or the Leader) attempt to “pressure” a resident into going up to get in a group.

Team members should attempt to find out why a member of their group doesn’t want to risk joining a Prayer and Share Group and attempt to minister to any fears revealed in a conversation about the grouping process.  Remember the four L’s.  One of the primary fears in this situation will be the fear of rejection.  Central to the thoughts of some of them will be, “What happens to me if I go up there and nobody wants me in their group?”  Team members need to minister to this fear in the residents.  A team member might offer to walk up with one of their group.

Be very sensitive to persons who might be left out of the process.  Be patient.  Let the Holy Spirit work in their hearts.  Do not force anyone to get into a group.  There are no points awarded for having everyone in a group. 

NOTE TO LEADER:  Now is the time to get the names of the persons who will be in each group.  The coordinator or another member of the team might be given the job of supervising this, but the Leader should make the announcement when the time comes.

It is also important to have this information for the Chaplain in the event he/she wants to issue call-outs for the Prayer and Share Group meetings.

If the 3-Day Kairos Weekend which has just been offered is the first one in the institution, then peer support structure for grouping will begin with getting these names at this reunion.

If the security in the institution demands that residents be placed on a call-out sheet in order to group with persons other than those in their own housing facility, then arrangements should be made for the chapel or some other facility to be made available for grouping.  The place and times available should be announced and those wishing to group should indicate information necessary for the call out sheet in order to be called.  

C. If the Institution does NOT allow weekly grouping, use the following…

We saw miracles happen during the short course.  They can continue to happen.  The key to that happening lies in the Prayer and Share Cards which we gave to you.  Get into a small group, or form one, and meet for an hour once a week, with each person in the group covering each step in that card, and you will soon have exactly the kind of fellowship you experienced on the short course in here every day. 

(TEAM NOTE:  It is of the utmost importance that the team remain with the residents during the following time of decision making.  The team and the community which was formed for the short course created a safe place for these residents in which they could root and grow in Christ.  If those not already grouping are to make a decision to do so, it will be done in the face of the strength perceived in the presence of those gathered for this Instructional Reunion.)

Gentlemen/Ladies, what you have been doing in your small groups TODAY is exactly what is done in the on-going Prayer and Share fellowship. Look at the Prayer and Share Grouping Cards which we have given you. Nothing on there demands as much vulnerability as what you have already EXPERIENCED today.

Getting together with some friends once a week to talk about Jesus, to fellowship, to maybe do some Bible study is a good thing.  We need to do that sort of thing.  It is good for us.  But it will not help us to hang on to what we found during our weekend.  

To do that, we must gather in a disciplined process which assures us of growth in Christ and of power from Christ in our walk. Some of us exercise regularly or practice given skills to maintain what we have accomplished.  We follow a program in doing so.  If we didn't, we would end up with poor bodies and slight skills.  In our desire to help a fellow resident we must also understand we all endeavor under the grace of God, and so we must be gentle and loving with our fellow residents. 

The same thing is true of the discipline needed to build a desirable spiritual life.  You can't see a spiritual life by looking at or listening to a person alone, but you can always see a spiritual life by watching a person’s actions, their relationships with others.  

The steps which we have just reviewed in the Prayer and Share Group Card provide the program for our spiritual growth just as surely as regular exercise and practice maintain our bodies and our skills.  And as we heard on the weekend, unless we want our spiritual configuration to render us spiritually weak, we need to balance all three legs on that stool, with equal attention to our spirituality, our discovery and our action.

So, to be clear, here is what will help ensure that you are growing together as healthy members of the Body of Christ.  Each week, when you have opportunity to talk with other Brothers/Sisters in the faith, even if just one other person, pull out your Prayer and Share Card, and share your responses to the questions listed there.  Share with each other in the same spirit that we have today, and you will find that you are strengthened, and you help strengthen others.

Final Reminder About Confidentiality
Remember that what goes on in your grouping should remain in confidence.  Nothing will damage the depth and integrity of your Prayer and Share fellowship like not being able to trust one another.