1. Safety is the first dimension. People will not risk a deeper encounter with Christ or with each other unless they feel safe enough to extend themselves. Make the place and people welcoming. Let people name themselves into the circle. Mixer questions evoke feelings, move from easy to harder, and relate to the theme. Leader must be centered and inviting.
2. God's Story is the biblical framework, the structure through which we will explore the theme and our personal experience. Enter the selected scripture passage through our senses (sight, sound, taste, smell and movement). This can be done with description, guided meditation or some form of storytelling.
3.
Insight comes through journal time in response to questions at the
end of each presentation, personal sharing in smaller groups and/or large
group activity. This step expands the present by including reflection on
the past or future possibility. Good sharp questions are critical. Encourage
people to be attentive for God's leading.
Trust
4. Extended sharing tests our capacity for trust in God and in the temporary community created in the small group. By trusting each group to monitor the time and stay present to whatever story is shared, we invite the practice of agape love beyond the usual borders of self and similar kinds of people. We trust God is in charge and do not have to correct or offer advice.
Community
5. Gathering Community is critical after the separate group experience of extended sharing. Using some activity with a nonverbal and creative component will help with this. This step recreates the safety of step #1 with some of the same kind of attention and activities.
6. Celebration can be party or worship or both. Return to the scripture story and make the connections clear. This step mirrors step #2 with emphasis on bodily experience.
7. Release allows time for personal reflection (journal questions), small group closure (affirm the gift others have been to you) and large group closure with worship to acknowledge God's part in this process and naming "What I take with me from this circle."