LESSON EIGHT€¦ · Web viewThe person who shared tells if the group members are correct or not....

CSS Group Leader Handbook

CSS Mission Statement:The mission of Catholic Scripture Study International is to help bring

people closer to Jesus Christ and his Church through in-depth Bible study.

A CSS Group Leader is … someone with a heart for God and a desire to serve others, who facilitates a small group discussion of the home study questions, prays for group members, and acts as a personal connection between the group members and CSS.

The division of leadership in Scripture In the book of Exodus, Moses divided the large group of Israelites into groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens over which he appointed leaders (Ex 18:21, 25). These leaders would bear the leadership role with Moses and thus make his task easier (Ex 18:22). In a similar way, the CSS Group Leaders bear the role of leadership with the Study Leader. Moses was to choose leaders who were able, God-fearing, trustworthy, and honest (Ex 18:21). Having chosen you for leadership, your Study Leader sees these same qualities in you.

During his earthly ministry, our Lord brought together a group of 12 men (Mt 10:1-4). Jesus nurtured these leaders and sent them out as bishops of his Church who would spread the Good News to the entire world (Mt 28:19-20). The Apostles also appointed leaders to help them serve the growing Church (Acts 6:1-7). They chose leaders who were well respected, filled with Holy Spirit, and wise (Acts 6:3).

Group Leader Handbook www.cssprogram.net © 2012 Catholic Scripture Study International1

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The Words of Jesus Christ Regarding Leadership

“You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be a slave of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:45

“…Let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For which is greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves.” – Luke 22:26, 27

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God, rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded…“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you.” – John 13:3-5, 14-15

Role of the CSS Group Leader

To facilitate the discussion of the homework questions in the 45-minute time allotment.

To create and maintain an atmosphere of Christian fellowship within the group that includes:

brief prayer enthusiastic conversation acceptance and support “risk-taking” in sharing without fear of ridicule each member as an important contributor to the group unprepared members quietly listening and benefiting from the

others’ insights


shy members comfortably listening without pressure to share

Answering Questions

The Group Leader is not expected to be a trained catechist or theologian, but rather someone with a heart for God who simply facilitates the discussion.

If a group member has a question related to the lesson, the Group Leader should defer to the Study Leader with a statement such as, “Let’s wait and see if this is answered in the lecture today; I think it might be.” Many questions are often addressed or answered by the priests in the video lectures. If there are still questions, you may email us at [email protected] and we will either answer it or give you links to other resources or websites that may be able to be helpful.

Group Leaders should keep the Study Leader informed about all questions so that he or she can be aware of the interests and concerns of the class. Some of these questions could make good topics for future Opening Sessions.

The Group Leader should never answer a question that he or she is not sure about and also should never be afraid to say, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out for you.” Group Leaders should only use Catholic resources and never use any reference materials or resource materials for giving answers that are not consistent with the teachings of the Church. For a list of recommended resources/references please check with CSS headquarters or ask your Regional Director to get this information for you.

Dress Code

“Business casual” attire is appropriate for all CSS leaders at all CSS meetings. No jeans or shorts, please!

Nametags

There should be a template for making nametags that can be found in our additional resources or essential folder on the CSS website. Be sure to wear


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your nametag each week and to regularly remind those in your group to do so as well. You should check for nametags when you take attendance. Nametags

help everyone get to know each other better and enable you and others to call each other by name during discussion time. Nametags should be worn from the first class to the last in the discussion group and also in the large group gatherings so that newcomers and those outside of the groups can all get to know each other.

Attendance

Place the attendance sheet at the front of your CSS binder so that you can record attendance each week. Keep your Study Leader up-to-date on any group members who are absent repeatedly.

Preparation

It’s essential that Group Leaders do their own homework each week. You may be able to complete your lesson in one or two sittings, or you may want to divide it up and do part of the questions each day. Try to begin your next lesson a day or two after class so that you have the week to think about and “live the lesson.” This way, you will come to class excited about what God is doing in your life and be able to share that enthusiasm with your group.

Leader’s Group

It’s very helpful if CSS Group Leaders can meet together with the Study Leader outside of the regular class time each week. Some groups meet on the day before class, some meet on class day, before the members arrive. The Leader’s Group is a time of prayer and fellowship focusing on that week’s homework. This is a valuable time to the discuss Scripture with others who are deeply committed to the study and will surely be a highlight of the leadership experience.

Prayerfully Preparing the Discussion Space

Each Group Leader should make sure there are enough chairs set out for the number of group members expected in their individual group. Before each


class, pray in your discussion space before anyone arrives. Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare the hearts of all the members and give you the courage to lead with love and gentleness. We always want to acknowledge the presence of our

loving God and ask him to fill us and use us to bring others closer to him. The Group Leader should sit facing the entrance to be able to greet group members with a smile as they arrive.

Welcome

Group Leaders should greet members warmly at the beginning of each discussion session. Try to call people by name as much as possible. Introduce any new members and try to make latecomers feel comfortable but with minimum interruption to the discussion in progress.

Personal Prayer

Group Leaders should pray as often as possible during the week for the members of their groups. All CSS Leaders should make personal prayer a top priority. An intense prayer life is essential to any ministry. Daily Mass and the Rosary are highly recommended. When we are in constant prayer, we allow God to work through us rather than trying to do his work on our own strength. The importance of consistent, personal prayer cannot be stressed too highly.

Group Prayer

Begin and end each discussion session with a brief prayer. You should lead the prayer unless you know one of the members of your group is comfortable leading prayer. Group members should never be put on the spot to lead prayer. If the Study Leader did not pray the Holy Spirit prayer prior to dismissing the groups to discussion time, then you should lead the group in this prayer.

Come Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth your spirit and they shall be created, and You


shall renew the face of the earth. O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the Same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ Our Lord. Amen

You may also wish to open with a brief, spontaneous prayer in your own words, or to pray one of the following scriptural prayers:

Opening Prayers based on Scripture

“Speak Lord, your servants are listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10“Lord, open our minds to understand the Scriptures Luke 24:46)“Lord, make our hearts burn within us as you speak to us through your Word.” Luke 24:32“Open our eyes that we may see wonderful things in your Word.”

Psalm 119:18

Closing Prayer

The Study Leader may close all sessions with the prayer to Saint Michael, however, discuss this with your Study Leader to determine whether he or she would prefer that each group do this or that he or she will do it at the conclusion of the class. You can lead this prayer or ask the whole group to pray along with you after a few weeks. (You may find that there is not enough time to close the discussion group in prayer, but each class day will end in prayer with the Study Leader)

Prayer to St. Michael

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host—by the Divine Power of God—cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen

Group Roster


Group Leaders should make a roster of group members with pertinent contact information such as name, address, email, and phone number. You may simply write the information on the form provided and photocopy it, or use a computer to create your own roster. Your Study Leader or Class Administrator should be able to provide you with information about your

group or you can pass around a paper for group members to write down this information on the first day. Tell the group you will be giving the roster to all members of the group, and ask that anyone who has any concerns about it contact you outside of the discussion time. Stress to the group that the information is to be used for CSS purposes only and not to be shared with others or used for networking or marketing of any kind (including home party sales and fundraising). Be sure to honor the wishes of any member to keep any personal information private. You should plan to pass out the roster on the second week.

Discussion Participation

At the beginning of the first few discussion sessions, remind everyone that the purpose of the discussion is to share answers to the questions we have already done at home. Any member who has not completed the lesson at home is asked to remain silent during the discussion. It is important to explain this in a loving and gentle way. A “signal” that you might consider using that says, “I didn’t do my homework” would be to ask group members who did not do their homework to turn his or her nametag over on the table or simply take it off during the discussion. That takes the pressure off and lets the Group Leader know not to call on that person for an answer. We always want to stress that it is OK not to share. Encourage participants to come to the group even if they have not completed the homework. There are benefits to just listening. Group members should not miss a week of class if they have had to miss a week of doing the homework. If you establish this at the beginning, the group will be comfortable with it. Asking group members to share only when they have done their home study questions is not only fair to those who have taken the time to do the lesson, but it also keeps the discussion focused on what God is doing presently through CSS in the lives of the group members rather than on past experiences or personal opinion.


Timing

Group Leaders should be committed to punctuality at all times; this includes being on time to all CSS functions as well at keeping close track of time during discussion sessions.

Discussion groups meet for 45 minutes to discuss each week’s homework.

Group Leaders should be diligent to begin and end on time each week. The goal is to work through all the questions in the time allowed. Keeping the group discussion focused on the lesson will take discipline; everyone in the group should be aware of it and try to make it happen. The study is the priority and everyone’s time should be valued.

It is helpful to make note ahead of time of those questions that may require extra discussion time and plan accordingly. It is also a good idea to give a reminder to the group when you are down to the last five minutes to help wrap up the discussion. Discussions are never carried over to the next week. If there are too many unanswered questions to cover in the last five minutes, you may need to skip some questions or double up on some. As a last resort, you can simply ask if anyone has anything in particular they wanted to briefly share from the remaining questions.

Facilitating the Discussion

Ask group members to take out their Bibles and their lesson binders. This is a good time to discretely glance around the room to double check that participants have written answers to the questions so that you will know who to call on for answers. Encourage everyone to bring a Bible each week. It’s a good practice to have group members open their Bibles to the passage being discussed. You may also need to look up other Scripture passages during the discussion. The Scripture passage is usually printed in the lesson each week, which is very helpful since participants will be able to work from the same translation (Revised Standard Version-Catholic Edition) no matter what Bible translation they bring to class. Other translations may be helpful during the discussion to clarify a word or verse as well.


After welcoming the members and opening in prayer, begin the discussion by reading the title of the lesson. Then read the first question out loud so that everyone in the group can hear clearly.

After reading the question, call on group members by name to give an answer. If you leave the floor open each time for anyone to answer, you will find that some will tend to dominate the conversation, however, if you sense that someone might be uncomfortable being called on, don’t put them on the spot.

It is best to vary your approach. Once in a while, asking for a volunteer to answer may be effective. At times you may want to say, “Let’s hear from someone on this one who hasn’t spoken much yet.”

If you sense that some group members are shy, call on them for the more simple questions at first to give them a chance to warm up. Avoid taking turns answering questions around the circle as this can put pressure on the shy ones and embarrass those who are not prepared.

Sometimes going around the circle to answer one question—with a short answer—may work if it is later in the year when group members are more comfortable. Ask more than one person to share on some of the more involved questions. One person may bring out part of an answer and another will be able to complete it. Be selective about sharing your own answers.

Try not to comment on each answer so that the group will not come to expect your stamp of approval each time. Try to keep the sharing directed to the group in general and not just between you and the one giving the answer.

Try to keep the discussion moving at a good pace. Move quickly through questions that are easy to understand and allow more time for those questions that need more discussion. Avoid getting off the topic at hand. To keep the conversation from getting too far off the subject, every once in a while you may need to say, “Let’s get back on track.” You can also suggest that some tangent conversations might be picked up again at a luncheon outside of class time. To help the group stick to the passage being discussed, frequently ask for specific verse(s), location in the Points to Ponder or catechism where the


answer was found. Write down any questions that arise to be submitted later. Re-direct some questions to the rest of the group, “Does anyone have another slant on that?” Try not to appear judgmental or allow division in the group. Treat each person with gentleness and compassion.

In dealing with those in your group who tend to dominate the conversation, a talk outside of class may be helpful. Thank them for their enthusiasm in sharing and enlist their help in drawing out the shy ones by giving others more “floor time.” Try to sit next to those who tend to talk a lot instead of across from them so as to control “eye-contact.” Direct some questions to the

rest of the group, such as “Does anyone else have something they’d like to share?” Sometimes you may need to say directly, “Thank you for volunteering, but since you answered the last question, let’s see if someone else in the group would like to answer this one.”

To encourage the overly shy members of your group, be sure to affirm them with a positive comment when they do answer a question. Calling on them to read a Bible verse out loud as the need arises may give them a way to participate in a less threatening way as they may be self-conscious about sharing their answers to the questions. As stated earlier, call on them by name to answer the more simple questions at first so they can get warmed up. Sit across from the shy ones to establish eye contact. Try not to pressure them. Always give them the option to pass.

A Loyal and Positive Attitude

The Group Leader sets the example for the group, so it is important to keep a loyal, positive attitude and to encourage others to do likewise. If a question is difficult, try to look at it as an exciting challenge rather than getting frustrated and saying something negative about the authors. Try to turn any grumbling, complaining, or negative remark into a positive within the discussion group. Group Leaders should take any concerns or questions privately to the Study Leader.

Luncheons


Discussion groups can benefit from having a luncheon once a month or every so often to spend more time together and share things not related to the lessons. The Group Leader should plan the first luncheon. At the first meeting, you can discuss future functions of this type with the group and make plans depending on the interest of the members. Luncheons may be at member’s homes or at the church, depending on each situation. A different person might volunteer to be the host each month and provide a dessert or beverages if the group wishes to do it that way. The luncheons should be kept very simple. Each member should bring his or her own lunch. Evening groups might meet for dinner instead of doing a luncheon.

Personal Contact

Groups benefit greatly from regular communication outside the class discussion group. Leaders may wish to phone or email their group members on a regular basis; even weekly or bi-weekly. You should ask the members of your group what works best for them and what time of day they are most available. This personal contact helps members feel connected and will give you the opportunity to know better how to pray for each one. Communicate to your group that the purpose of your phone calls or emails is not to check up on them to make sure the have completed their homework, but rather to keep in touch and to offer encouragement.

Prayer Petitions

Group Leaders may wish to form a system within their groups to pray for concerns of their members. This should be done on a volunteer basis; no one should feel pressured to participate. Some members may be too busy or too uncomfortable with the idea to take part. It is best to wait and introduce this at the third or fourth meeting, so as not to overwhelm participants with too much in the beginning classes. There are two types of prayer notification systems recommended by Catholic Scripture Study: telephone and email. Both are explained below. Some groups may want to try to combine email prayer and telephone prayer notifications to suit the needs of their group. Combination prayer networks will require a dedicated Prayer Request Coordinator who is willing to put in the extra time required.


Forming a Telephone Prayer Network:

Explain the prayer system to the group, distribute telephone prayer notification handout and ask for volunteers.

The Group Leader may wish to be the Prayer Request Coordinator or may prefer to delegate the responsibility by choosing a volunteer from among the group.

Decide as a group if you want to have a 24-hour notification system or to limit the hours. You could designate that no calls be made before 7 am or past 9 pm

or 10 pm unless there is an emergency in the immediate family.

The Prayer Request Coordinator makes a list of the names and phone numbers of those wishing to be part of the prayer network. The Prayer Coordinator’s name will go at the top of the list. The second name on the list should be the person to call if the Prayer Leader cannot be reached—the Alternate Prayer Coordinator. This could be the Group Leader or another volunteer group member.

Make copies of the list to give to the others on the prayer network. The list could be on an 8 ½ x 11” piece of paper or could be reduced to a smaller size for convenience.

Anyone who later decides he or she is unable to continue as part of the prayer network should contact the Prayer Coordinator, who will then contact the others to remove the name from the telephone list.

Forming an Email Prayer Network

The Group Leader may wish to be the Email Prayer Coordinator or may prefer to delegate the responsibility by asking for a volunteer from among the group members.

Pass out copies of the email prayer notification handout to group members. Include the email address of the Email Prayer Coordinator at the top.


The Email Prayer Coordinator should choose one day per week (or two per week if desired) to regularly send out prayer requests to all those on the email prayer network list. Write the day or days of the week (e.g. Mondays, or Tuesdays and Thursdays, etc.) that requests will be sent on the designated line in the email prayer notification handout.

Those who wish to be part of the email prayer system send an email to the Email Prayer Coordinator expressing their interest.

The Coordinator should make a group list of the email addresses of participating group members.

The Email Prayer Coordinator collects the requests as they are received and pastes them into an email to be sent at a later date, or pastes them into a Word document to save them. If the requests are in a Word document, it would be best to cut and paste them directly into an email rather than send as an attachment, as some people have difficulty opening attachments. On the designated prayer day, the Coordinator sends the list of prayer requests to all those on the email list. Exceptions should be made for emergency prayer requests, in which case the EPCC should send those to everyone on the email prayer list as soon as they are received.

Members pray as soon as they receive the requests. It would be best if those in the email prayer network check their email regularly to be able to pray for emergencies as well.

Anyone who later decides he or she is unable to continue as part of the email prayer network should email the Coordinator to ask to be removed from the list.

“The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all. But in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace

that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 4:5b-7


“Do you wish your prayer to fly toward God? Give it two wings: fasting and almsgiving.” –St. Augustine

Opening Day

Welcome each group member. Pass out nametags, binders, and any handouts from CSS headquarters. Tell members about the importance of wearing nametags. Encourage members to bring their Bibles to each discussion session. Open with the “Come, Holy Sprit” prayer (see page 4 of this handbook). Lead the group in an icebreaker activity (see list of suggestions on pages

11-12).

Encourage regular attendance but with the understanding that some people may need to miss class occasionally and are always welcomed back.

Explain conditions for receiving a CSS Course Certificate at the end of the year: no more than four absences during the year. *

Challenge group members to make completion of homework a priority. The rewards are great!

Encourage group members to invite their friends to join the class. Explain policy concerning participation only if homework has been

completed and about turning over or taking off their nametags (if you choose to use this method).

Discuss luncheons and roster. Encourage group members to register on the CSS website:

www.cssprogram.net. They will find extra resource materials there as well as links to other useful information. In addition, they can order materials such as additional studies, DVDs, MP3s of the lectures, and more.

* CSS Course completion certificate templates are available and can be found on the CSS website. These are fillable certificates whereby the Study Leader can type in the student’s name, date, name of study, etc.

Course Certificates are distributed to the students at the end of the year when they have completed the course. These certificates should not be


http://www.cssprogram.net/

given to students who have been absent more than 4 times during the year unless the Study Leader determines that there was a valid reason for more absences. The certificate shows that the student has completed a particular CSS course. In some areas, the diocese is granting credit for completion of CSS courses and in this case it is important to keep good attendance records so that the person who is taking the course for religious education credit for the diocese truly earns their credits.

Get-Acquainted Icebreakers for Discussion Groups(For use on opening day) Two True, One False In this activity, participants are to think of three facts about themselves that they can share when it is their turn. Two of the facts should be true and one should be false. The fun happens when everyone tries to guess which fact is false.

1. Explain to the group that you are going to do a fun activity to get to know each other better.

2. Instruct the participants to think of three facts about themselves. They should pick two true facts and one thing that’s false. Explain to them that they are going to be sharing this data with the rest of the group members, who will then try to guess which statements are true and which is false.

3. The first participant shares the three things about himself or herself. Ask the rest of the group to say which statement they think is false. The person who shared tells if the group members are correct or not. The


person who shared could then elaborate on the information that he or she shared, if desired.

4. The game continues with the next participant.

Show and Tell

Group members share an object from their purse, wallet, or pocket—or it could be a piece of jewelry or a pin they are wearing. The idea is to choose something that tells something about them.

1. Explain that you are going to play a game that will help you get to know each other better.

2. Instruct participants to look in their purse, wallet, or pocket (or something they are wearing) for an object they can share that will tell something about them.

3. Each member takes turns showing and telling about the object.

Unusual Facts

This is a good icebreaker for groups who already know one another. Members share facts about themselves that may already be known, and then one fact that they think most of the people in the group do not know. It is a fun way to get to know each other even better!

1. Explain that you are going to do an activity that will help them to get to know each other even better.

2. Instruct the participants to tell two things about themselves that people may already know (such as about their family, their job, etc.) and then an unusual fact about themselves that most people in the group wouldn’t know.


TP Game

Begin this game without much direction.

1. Simply say that you are going to pass around a roll of toilet paper and that members should take as much as they think they need. Do not elaborate.

2. Pass the roll of TP around the group. Each person tears some off and passes it to the next person.

3. After each person has had a turn to take some TP, the game begins.

4. Now, reveal the rest of the game: participants are to share one fact about themselves for each sheet of TP they took—for example, “I have 4 children.” It’s lots of fun when someone has taken lots of TP!

Introductions

In this game, participants introduce each other to the rest of the group. Explain that you are going to do an activity to help everyone get better acquainted. In pairs, members tell their partner three interesting facts about themselves; then members introduce their partner to the group.

1. Pair off the participants.

2. Pairs take turns telling their partners three facts about themselves.

3. Group members introduce their partner to the rest of the group.


Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen


Prayer to Saint Michael

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the divine power of God, cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen

No portion of these materials may be reproduced in any form without written permission from Catholic Scripture Study, Copyright 2012


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