Life Model XP - 12 Gatherings for Greater Joy in Christ

Gathering 1 - Our Golden Memories - Informal - 15 minutes• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles - assign 2 people to arrive early and

serve as greeters for each week• Pre-printed name tags retrieved - provide a conversation starter note for each

week• Serve simple refreshments• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others• Conversation Starter: Ask, “Where did you grow up?” and/or, “Where are the

places you have you lived throughout your life?”- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes• Three sets of “4-4-4-4” breaths to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week

and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read Psalm 133 - 2 minutes• Watch Video - 10 minutes• Each person share a 30-60 second gratitude/appreciation - 10 minutes

- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 20 minutes• Each person answer the question, “What might those close to you say is ‘so like

you’?”• 10 minutes Ask Jesus to remind you of a “golden memory” - 2-3 minutes• Share your “golden memory” with your group - 10 minutes• Ask any clarifying question to a group member about which you are curious - 5

minutes• Say a blessing prayer over the person on your left - 3 minutes

- Regather whole group - 10 minutes• A few folks share a 30 second gratitude/appreciation from this gathering• Read the poem of the week - Ode to Joy• Sing: God Is So Good (https://youtu.be/LnuNeDbxf04)

- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://youtu.be/zOzsjEmjjHs Nick Vujicic. Journal a bit about your experience this week.

Ode to Joy

Joy is a practical, tangible thingThat’s quickly become a lost art

It’s a clear witness to how we’re designedA true longing that’s deep in our heart

Joy is nonverbal and faster than thoughtFelt when a babe’s eyes twinkle bright

They shamelessly revel in how good it isTo be known as the cause of delight

Joy is a wondrous attachment of loveRelational, unforced and free

Climbing and building as all fears subsideTuning us to live in synchrony

Joy forms a network of brilliant beliefs With a chemistry that’s all its own

Other desires simply then follow suitIn the order of wisdom renown

Joy helps me know who I truly amThen belonging to others with zest

Capacity grows, unveiling the meansTo engage in the ways that are best

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 2 - Looking for Immanuel’s Presence - Informal - 15 minutes

• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in

• Pre-printed name tags retrieved - provide a conversation starter note for each week - with conversation starter note

• Serve simple refreshments

• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others

• Conversation Starter: Ask, “How did the video of Nick Vujicic impact you?”- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes

• Tap the vagus nerve to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes - 2 minutes

• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read Acts 17:22-31 - 2 minutes

• Watch Video - 7 minutes

• Each person share a 30-60 second gratitude/appreciation or read an excerpt from your journal - 10 minutes

• Each person answer the question, “What story, movie or song has moved you to tears?” - 10 minutes

- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 20 minutes

• Recall and relive your “golden memory” from last week - 2-3 minutes

• Ask Jesus to help you see or imagine where He was in the images of your “golden memory” - 10 minutes

• Share with the members of your group about what you just experienced - 5 minutes

• Say a blessing prayer over the person on your left - 3 minutes- Regather whole group - 10 minutes

• A few folks share a 30 second gratitude/appreciation from the gathering this week

• Read the poem of the week - Gardener Green

• Sing: I Exalt Thee (https://youtu.be/xIZN0am96sE)- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://

youtu.be/BoqN7IOijJ4 Immersion Family Band - Listen to this 3 times during the week. Journal a bit about your experience this week.

Gardener Green

Oh Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earthInvisible realms and all we can see

Were both made for your pleasure and worth

Great Gardener Green, in Eden at homeYou gladly placed Your pure hands in the soil

Forming children out from the dark loam

We turned away and how, we are sorry But you made a way to recycle our waste

And rewrite the text of our story

“Now bring Me the dirt and bring Me the dung,”Father smiles ... His ingenious solution?

Richer soil ... greater fruit for the Son

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 3 - Touching Stories and Our Identity - Informal - 15 minutes

• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in

• Pre-printed name tags retrieved - provide a conversation starter note for each week

• Serve simple refreshments

• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others

• Conversation Starter: Ask, “What are some of your hobbies?”- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes

• 4 yawns to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes

• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read Romans 15:13 - 2 minutes

• Watch Video - 8 minutes

• Each person share a 30-60 second gratitude/appreciation or read an excerpt from your journal - 10 minutes

- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 20 minutes

• Recall the story, movie or song that moved you to tears (from last week) - 2 minutes

• Share with your group why you were so moved. Was/is God speaking something to your heart about your true identity through this medium? - 15 minutes

• Share about a near miss accident you experienced. - 10 minutes

• Say a blessing prayer over the person on your left - 3 minutes- Regather whole group - 10 minutes

• A few folks share a 30 second gratitude/appreciation from the gathering this week

• Read the poem of the week - Hope

• Sing: He Who Began a Good Work in You (https://youtu.be/j2kvljMuwzY)- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://

youtu.be/vr3x_RRJdd4 Free Hugs Campaign. Journal a bit about your experience this week.

Hope

Hope is a mystery but one we must holdHope is a story that appears as its told

Hope is a dream that’s given at birth Hope is a pathway revealing that our worth

Hope is right now about what is to beHope is forever as vast as the sea

Hope is a test that examines our stuffHope is a strength for the times that are rough

Hope is a power, no second class graceHope is a trump card, heart of an ace

Hope hears the music then faith sings the songsHope is the atmosphere love rights the wrongs

Hope is for children carefree and keenHope is renewed as we see the unseen

Hope is a grace that must be received Hope is a Person in whom we’ve believed

Hope is for real because God is so goodHope is assured things will end as they should

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 4 - Who Has Brought Us Joy? - Informal - 15 minutes

• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in

• Pre-printed name tags retrieved - provide a conversation starter note for each week

• Serve simple refreshments

• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others

• Conversation Starter: Ask, “What was your favorite thing about your childhood home.”

- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes

• Three sets of “4-4-4-4” breaths to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes

• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read Psalm 139:1-6 - 2 minutes

• Watch Video - 7 minutes- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 30 minutes

• Each person take 10 minutes to share about a relationship with a family member, friend or even a pet that brought joy into their life experience. - 30 minutes

• Say a blessing prayer over the person on your left - 3 minutes- Regather whole group - 10 minutes

• A few folks share a 30 second gratitude/appreciation from the gathering this week

• Read the poem of the week - God and Us

• Sing: In My Life Lord, Be Glorified (https://youtu.be/cz-xtWWUs3c)- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://

youtu.be/aOLqVshIM4w Christian the Lion. Journal a bit about your experience this week.

God and Us

God is with us…You designed me from the start

My life You had plannedYou have always been with meThough I didn’t see Your hand

God is for us…Then one day You intervened

My trust to Christ I gaveNow that we are reconciledMy whole life You will save

God is within us…The greatest secret of them all

To often is passed byWithin me You delight to liveAnd trust outweighs my try

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 5 - Our Immanuel Stories - Informal - 15 minutes

• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in

• Pre-printed name tags retrieved - provide a conversation starter note for each week

• Serve simple refreshments

• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others

• Conversation Starter: Ask, “What is something about you that no one would ever guess?”

- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes

• Tap the vagus nerve to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes

• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read Psalm 139:7-12 - 2 minutes

• Watch Video - 10 minutes

• Each person share a 30-60 second gratitude/appreciation or read an excerpt from your journal - 10 minutes

- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 20 minutes

• Each person take 10 minutes to tell about how you came to faith in Jesus Christ. Describe how you have grown in your relationship with Him.

• Ask any clarifying question of a group member’s memory about which you are curious - 5 minutes

• Say a blessing prayer over the person on your left - 3 minutes- Regather whole group - 10 minutes

• A few folks share a 30 second gratitude/appreciation from the gathering this week

• Read the poem of the week - God’s So Big

• Learn and Sing: Brother, Let Me Be Your Servant (https://youtu.be/kdmgpMfnjdU) (Full stanzas and lyrics are on the next page. Learn 3 stanzas at this gathering and 4 at the next one.)

- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://youtu.be/ChcR2gKt5WM Fall on Me Andrea and Matteo Bocelli. Journal a bit about your experience this week.

TheServantSong(Brother)(Sister),letmebeyourservant. LetmebeasChristtoyou. PraythatImighthavethegrace Toletyoubemyservant,too.

IwillhelpyouloveyourenemiesSeeinthemwhatGodcanseeI’llhelpyoufindChrist’slovewithinyouHelpmefindChrist’sloveinme.

IwillholdtheChrist-lightforyou Inthenighttimeofyourfear. Iwillholdmyhandouttoyou; Speakthepeaceyoulongtohear.

Iwillweepwhenyouareweeping. Whenyoulaugh,I'lllaughwithyou. Iwillshareyourjoyandsorrow Tillwe'veseenthisjourneythrough.

Wearepilgrimsonajourney. Wearesistersontheroad. Weareheretohelpeachother Walkthemileandbeartheload.

WhenwesingtoGodinheaven, Weshallfindsuchharmony Bornofallwe'veknowntogether OfChrist'sloveandagony.

(Brother)(Sister),letmebeyourservant. LetmebeasChristtoyou. PraythatImighthavethegrace Toletyoubemyservant,too.

RichardGillard1977

God So Big … He Cares for the Small

I always suspected that You were respectedFor being so big, so large.

There wasn’t a place a person could raceWhere You were not fully in charge.

But then I inspected how I had protectedMyself from believing You cared.

For then I would know how You love to blowThe cover of one hiding scared.

Now I have rejected a lie interjectedThat You overlook someone so small

Yes, now I’ve believed and have gladly receivedThe joy You have over us all.

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 6 - Simple Interactive Gratitude - Informal - 15 minutes

• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in

• Pre-printed name tags retrieved - provide a conversation starter note for each week

• Serve simple refreshments

• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others

• Conversation Starter: Ask, “How did the song between the Bocelli’s affect you?”- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes

• 4 yawns to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes

• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read Psalm 139:13-18 - 2 minutes

• Watch Video - 9 minutes

• Each person share a 30-60 second gratitude/appreciation or read an excerpt from your journal - 10 minutes

• Each person answer the inquiry, “Describe a physical injury you suffered in the past.” - 10 minutes

- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 20 minutes

• Write a sentence or two of gratitude to God. Write down what you imagine God might be feeling or saying back to you in response. - 10 minutes

• Read your interchange with God to your group without comments - 5 minutes

• Say a blessing prayer over the person on your left - 3 minutes- Regather whole group - 10 minutes

• 4 people read their interactive gratitude to the whole group - 5 minutes

• Read the poem of the week - Interactive Gratitude

• Sing: Brother, Let Me Be Your Servant (https://youtu.be/kdmgpMfnjdU)- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://

youtu.be/0bF1Vol4jNA Dick and Rick Hoyt. Journal a bit about your experience this week.

Possible 2 week break?

Interactive Gratitude

Life rushes by at flurried paceUnless I clear some sacred space

To adore the Source of all gifts goodAnd grace appears to change my mood

My thoughts return to traveled milesThat reapply forgotten smiles

I live again sight, sound and smellDeep thanks drawn up as from a well

Wind, quake and fire weren’t sent to saveAs Elijah watched within the cave

Grand drama past, so we have heardIn whispered silence was God’s word

Soul take time on this holy ground Remove your shoes don’t make a sound

Awareness dawns… A Face of GodWas just discerned upon this sod

Find words of thanks now to employAs you recall the slightest joy

His presence comes and won’t departChrist inspires a grateful heart

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 7 - Who Has Brought Us Joy - Revisited - Informal - 15 minutes

• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in

• Pre-printed name tags retrieved - provide a conversation starter note for each week

• Serve simple refreshments

• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others

• Conversation Starter: Ask, “What is the most enjoyable sight you’ve ever witnessed and enjoyed?”

- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes

• Three sets of “4-4-4-4” breaths to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes

• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read Psalm 139:23-24 (“wicked way” is literally “way of pain”) - 2 minutes

• Watch Video - 10 minutes

• Each person share a 30-60 second gratitude/appreciation or read an excerpt from your journal - 10 minutes

• Each person answer the question, “What was the most meaningful gift you have ever given or received?” - 10 minutes

- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 20 minutes

• Each person take 5 minutes to share about a relationship with a second family member, friend or even a pet that brought joy into their life experience - 15 minutes

• Ask any clarifying question of a group member’s memory about which you are curious - 5 minutes

• Say a blessing prayer over the person on your left - 2 minutes- Regather whole group - 10 minutes

• A few folks share a 30 second gratitude/appreciation from the gathering this week

• Read the poem of the week - Restart

• Sing: Brother, Let Me Be Your Servant (https://youtu.be/kdmgpMfnjdU- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://

youtu.be/DRoqk_z2Lgg The Unique Connection. Journal a bit about your experience this week.

Restart

Divine Creator great and grandMy life search out and shape

With tender care and loving handSuch awe I can’t escape

Divine Creator deep and vastShow mercy if I stray

The darkness won’t forever lastYou’ll help me find the way

Divine Creator true and wiseHelp me to comprehend

My secret form was in your eyesYour book foretells my end

Divine Creator near and freeSearch deep and know my heartThe way of pain that captured me

Won’t hinder my restart

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 8 - Immanuel Healing - Part 1 - Informal - 15 minutes

• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in

• Pre-printed name tags retrieved - provide a conversation starter note for each week

• Serve simple refreshments

• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others

• Conversation Starter: Ask, “What is the most transforming thing you have experienced through our group so far?”

- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes

• Tap the vagus nerve to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes

• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read Isaiah 61:1-4 - 2 minutes

• Watch Video - 15 minutes (Special Immanuel Prayer Video)

• Each person share a 30-60 second gratitude/appreciation or read an excerpt from your journal - 10 minutes

• Read the poem of the week - Moments of Delight- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 20 minutes

• One person from the group - 1) Describe your “golden memory” to the group and re-live the experience. 2) Ask Jesus how He was interacting with you in that blessed situation. Describe your perceptions to the group. 3) Ask Jesus if there is any upsetting or joy-killing experience from your recent or distant past that He wants to touch, heal and resolve. 3) Ask Jesus to interact with you in the painful memory. 4) Share your perceptions of what Jesus was doing or saying in the midst of that upsetting situation. Describe this experience to the group as it unfolds. (Review the special note in the Facilitator Guide for an alternative set of questions.)

• Say a blessing prayer of thanksgiving over the person who shared - 3 minutes- Regather whole group - 5 minutes

• Sing: Father, Make Us One (https://youtu.be/Gpv-P5J3C_c)- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://

youtu.be/kZlXWp6vFdE Derek Redmond’s Olympic Race. Journal a bit about your experience this week.

Retroactive Light

I recall those moments of delightWhen You were there and all was right.

Then into the haunts of lurking painProbes graceful retroactive light.

Surprised to see You in that frameStill with me there You take my shame.

Into a larger story borne My opened heart will sing your fame.

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 9 - Immanuel Healing - Part 2 - Informal - 15 minutes

• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in

• Conversation starter note retrieved (People should know all names now.)

• Serve simple refreshments

• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others

• Conversation Starter: Ask: “What was your greatest sports success and/or fail?”- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes

• 4 yawns to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes

• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read 2 Timothy 1:7 w/ Romans 8:15 - 2 minutes

• Watch Video - 15 minutes (Michael’s Immanuel Testimony)

• Each person share a 30-60 second gratitude/appreciation or read an excerpt from your journal - 10 minutes

- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 20 minutes

• One person from the group - 1) Describe your “golden memory” to the group and re-live the experience. 2) Ask Jesus how He was interacting with you in that blessed situation. Describe your perceptions to the group. 3) Ask Jesus if there is any upsetting or joy-killing experience from your recent or distant past that He wants to touch, heal and resolve. 3) Ask Jesus to interact with you in the painful memory. 4) Share your perceptions of what Jesus was doing or saying in the midst of that upsetting situation. Describe this experience to the group as it unfolds. (Review the special note in the Facilitator Guide for an alternative set of questions.)

• Say a blessing prayer over the person who shared - 3 minutes- Regather whole group - 10 minutes

• A few folks share a 30 second gratitude/appreciation from the gathering this week

• Read the poem of the week - New Creation Dawn

• Sing: He Has Shown Thee O Man What is Good https://youtu.be/m4WcB2bCsCI - Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://

drive.google.com/open?id=1wRbRTlHsYQaiKBG3KKBkXgGeZEcpCpUV Introduction to the Life Model (download as PowerPoint for audio). Journal a bit about your experience this week.

New Creation Dawn

The Almighty saw how evil spoiled the beauty He had grownIt crept in when an angel wanted worship for his own

So we got stuck in nighttime living by the lesser lightScratching out our living we assumed we had to fight

His love requires freedom, coercion’s not His wayAnd so He came in person the evil one to stay

He lived in Father’s humble love condemned to die was HeStrangely… It was by his death He set the captives free

When Victim rose as Victor Son-rays pierced the Eastern skyThe New Creation dawned putting darkness on the fly

The death of death takes time to play out within this ageWe as children armed with hope rise up to turn the page

Proclaim forgiveness everywhere to both give and to receiveWounded pasts are healed at last, the broken now believe

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 10 - Immanuel Healing - Part 3 - Informal - 15 minutes• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in• Blank name tags with pens available to draw simple feelings on them (Print next

page for everyone to choose a face.)• Serve simple refreshments• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others• Conversation Starter: Ask, “What has been the highlight and/or lowlight of your

week?”- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes• Three sets of “4-4-4-4” breaths to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week

and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read 1 John 3:16-24 - 2 minutes• Watch Video - 17 minutes (Tim’s Immanuel Testimony)• Each person share a 30-60 second reason why they chose their sticker - 10

minutes • Each person answer the question, “What do others say they like most about you?”

- 10 minutes- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 20 minutes• One person from the group - 1) Describe your “golden memory” to the group and

re-live the experience. 2) Ask Jesus how He was interacting with you in that blessed situation. Describe your perceptions to the group. 3) Ask Jesus if there is any upsetting or joy-killing experience from your recent or distant past that He wants to touch, heal and resolve. 3) Ask Jesus to interact with you in the painful memory. 4) Share your perceptions of what Jesus was doing or saying in the midst of that upsetting situation. Describe this experience to the group as it unfolds. (Review the special note in the Facilitator Guide for an alternative set of questions.)

• Say a blessing prayer over the person who shared - 3 minutes- Regather whole group - 10 minutes• A few folks share a 30 second gratitude/appreciation from the gathering this week• Read the poem of the week - Brighter Future New• Sing: Christ Accepted You https://youtu.be/IG45DxzP8pA

- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://youtu.be/MUArWk2diVM When I see You Audrey Assad. Journal a bit about your experience this week.

Brighter Future New

Bring to me the pieces of your puzzled lifePlace them into skillful hands once scarredBring to Me the sorrow of all sin and strife

I will form My art from every shard

Come again to yourself and then come to MeI will script a brighter future new

My mysterious ways maybe hard to see But with joy I’ll work them into you

You will be so blessed to know I was there When you felt beat down low into the earth

Adjusted eyes will see; attuned heart will hearHow I do My wonders of rebirth

As the Prince of Life I hold the mighty rightTo untwist the plot thought past repair

I rewrite the score viewed in redemption lightWhen your heart-book’s opened and laid bare

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 11 - Adoring God - Informal - 15 minutes

• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in

• Conversation starter note retrieved (People should know all names now.)

• Serve simple refreshments

• Mingle and offer warm greetings to others

• Conversation Starter: Share: “I think you may have a gift of _________.”- Non-formal - whole group - 30 minutes

• Tap the vagus nerve to place onto Christ any cares of the day/week and to quiet/calm - 2 minutes

• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read 1 John 4:10-11, 16, 19 - 2 minutes

• Watch Video - 11 minutes

• Everyone in the room, one by one, prayerfully and spontaneously speak out this sentence while filling in the blank with one or a few words: “God is ____________! - 10 minutes

• Each person answer the question, “What is most amazing to you about God?” - 10 minutes

- Split up into gender-specific triad (or 2 close friends) - 10 minutes

• Say prayers of adoration while avoiding asking God for anything…just magnify Him for who He is!

• Finish up any Immanuel Healing prayer or…

• Read more excerpts from your journal or…

• Write down an interactive journaling prayer or…

• Journal more about your overall experiences with this group- Regather whole group - 20 minutes

• Share a Meditation and Communion (if your church tradition allows).

• Read the poem of the week - Two Ways Present

• Sing: I Love You with the Love of the Lord (https://youtu.be/QzO1oG0Q1qs)- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone -https://

youtu.be/_OLezoUvOEQ The Birth of Jesus. Journal a bit about your experience throughout these 12 weeks.

Two Ways Present

You have opened our hearts to hear You tellOf a mystery to outlast our days

No human religion could never conceiveThat Your presence be known in two ways

Your that Someone who’s always been everywhereAbove and beyond all things

The Genius of all human historyFar greater than all earthly kings

Yet to our delight You love to draw nearWhen Your Spirit we humbly do callYou tenderly come and openly showYou’re not far from each one of us all

I declare with great joy the divine paradoxWithout fear of causing much trouble

Though it may confound the minds of the proudGod‘s wisdom is oftentimes double

So on rooftop steep I will sing I will danceAnd play on the peak with a fiddle

Wisdom cries out, “It’s caught more than taught!”We will thrive in this radical middle

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - Gathering 12 - Celebrating Life Together - Informal - 10 minutes

• Warm greetings with eye contact and smiles as people are welcomed in

• Watch the video - 7 minutes

• Lay out the food, pray and serve- Pot Luck Dinner - 40 minutes

• Around the tables share: “This is what I appreciate about you….”- Non-formal - whole group - 45 minutes

• Prayer to welcome God’s presence and read John 15:9-11 - 2 minutes

• Each person share their testimony of the impact that the group experience has had on them and/or read excerpts from their journals

• Read the poem of the week - With Friends

• Sing: We Are One in the Spirit (https://youtu.be/xGD_BFSf90c)- Fun-work: The host will email the video homework assignment to everyone - https://

youtu.be/DIS0IjLIjDc The Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Journal final thoughts, memories and feelings from these 12 weeks. Share with 2-3 people beyond the group what you experienced by participating in this group.

With Friends

I feel I am a wealthy manNot ‘cause of what I own

But every week I see a planPlayed out around our town

Humble folk transparentlyShare homes and hearts with care

And pray to God expectantlyWhile we eat and play and share

Unscripted life in Christ is oursNo pressure to perform

Life on life restores our powersHis love is our new norm

With true friends our hearts are knitIn a world torn into pieces

We are finding out we really fitAs God grants us fresh releases

With hope and joy instead of strifeThrough months and years and trends

We’ll face the ups and downs of lifeWith our band of merry friends

Michael Sullivant

Life Model XP - 12 Gatherings for Greater Joy in Christ

Facilitator Guide - Watch the orientation video several times and send its link by email to all the

participants before the course begins. Especially try to grasp the nature and wonder of a “golden memory.”

- Watch all 12 Gathering videos personally before the course begins. You will cue up the relevant video to show at each session to the whole group. You will need to find the best way for the whole gathering to watch the videos together on a larger screen.

- Read though all the material for the 12 sessions and become familiar with the various “movements” of each Gathering. Study this guide carefully.

- Listen to the poem audio files to hear their proper rhythms.- Provide reusable name tags for each participant through the first 8 Gatherings.- Provide a conversation starter note with each name tag for the first 11 Gatherings.

This is meant to stir up joyful personal conversations between 2-3 people during the informal 15 minutes at the start of the first 11 Gatherings.

- Reinforce to the group that what you hear and witness regarding problems, failures, pains and struggles in people’s lives during the 12 Gatherings are confidential, unless given permission from a person to repeat.

- After each Gathering, send an email with the link to the FunWork for the first 11 Gatherings.

- Assign 2 people to arrive early at each Gathering to greet people at the door.- Link to the 4x4x4 breathing exercise - https://youtu.be/ShI3wuKQbA4. Watch this

video.- Link to yawning and tapping exercises - https://youtu.be/X87kwXYiMY0 (from 2:56

mark). Watch this video.- Explain to the participants in simple terms the purpose of the exercises above and

share the links with them in an email before the course begins. (Model the exercises to them in the first 3 Gatherings.)

- Assign all the participants to a gender specific triad. Try to put at least two existing friends in the same triad. If the group does not divide equally into 3’s, create as many dyads as needed. (Try to put friends/acquaintances together if dyads are needed.) You can form the triads/dyads at the first Gathering if need be.

- In your first email to the participants, encourage them to be prompt to each Gathering, to do their best to attend all 12 Gatherings and to keep a physical or digital journal during the entire course.

- Special Note for Gatherings 8-10 that focus on Immanuel Healing: Believers are in many different stages of gaining spiritual capacity and familiarity with lifting up the broken places in their hearts to the Lord Jesus for His touch. Some people become easily overwhelmed by recalling past traumas. They can lose their sense of keeping loving and present connection with Jesus when they recall certain past painful events. If your participants are completely inexperienced with such healing prayer, you can substitute the following for the directions in Gatherings 8-10. Have people 1) Ask God where He would like to bring you more peace in something from the last week or so." Often God goes back farther than a week but that is God's business. 2)  Ask God where in your life He would like to bring you more peace. Another wording is "what He sees in your past that needs more peace.”

- At the end of these Immanuel Healing gatherings, offer to stay and pray with anyone who feels the need to calm.

- In the video for Gathering 9, Dr. Tim Johns recalls being physically beaten by his father and how Immanuel took him back into those memories to bring a marvelous healing to his heart. Watch this video first to determine if you think your group members can handle this story. Let them know what they will be witnessing before you watch it and give them the option to sit out of the viewing. Be prepared to help anyone who might become overwhelmed by this testimony.

- Give participants freedom to discover their level of peace with the Immanuel Prayer process. It is very acceptable if people do not have dramatic experiences with this form of healing prayer. Jesus often answers our prayers in unexpected ways! We can leave the results with God and help people refocus and move on with building more joyful relationships with God and others. God is the One who holds the hearts of His children. We can all trust Him to hold ours.

- Familiarize yourself with the Immanuel Healing prayer process, which you will help facilitate in Gatherings 8-10. Here is a free video resource page from the Alive and Well website that has captured actual Immanuel Healing sessions. This ministry was founded by Margaret Webb, a board member of Life Model Works. Also, consider purchasing the Share Immanuel booklet. Feel free to send these links to all the participants before or during the Life Model XP course.

- Do not print off the written material for the participants for the Gatherings. You don’t want people looking at papers during the Gatherings! Make some simple notes or print a page for yourself as needed to smoothly facilitate the Gatherings. If people want to see the written material and the videos again, they can also download all of it from the web. But, discourage them from looking ahead into the future Gatherings.

- Feel free to make minor adjustments to this curriculum as it seems fitting for your relational culture.

Remember to Relax and Bring the Joyful Love … This is not work!