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Guidelines | Ten Steps | Lesson Plans | Order | Active Groups
Leader's Guide
Preparing for Your Meetings
Before the first meeting:
If you have a list of people interested in attending, give out study materials beforehand, or call them a week before and tell them what to bring. Encourage members of your group to invest in a 3-ring binder with pockets, a tool they will find useful as they proceed in their writing. In this binder a group member can keep:
» published pieces by the group,
» his own published pieces,
» past issues of Pen & Sword,
» notes taken during meetings, and
» assignments.
If yours is a monthly meeting, a week's notice as reminder of the date is helpful. Call or send a brief memo.
Watch the CWG video. Take notes on possible discussion questions for your group.
Your first meeting:
1. Establish a relaxed atmosphere--make sure everyone knows one another. Have them provide a bit of information about who they are (family, occupation) and why they have decided to come to the group. Tell your story first to get things started.
2. Establish a goal: one printed piece per month or more, depending on the size of the group. State the purpose of the group, which is to learn to write in a manner that will produce discipling experiences for readers.
3. Show the Church Writing Group video. Ask for reactions and answer questions.
4. Stress the importance of participation by each member of the group. Every piece of writing is vital! But do not be discouraged if your group's attendance drops slightly midway through the lessons. If someone is missing for more than two meetings in a row, call to chat and then ask his intention for the remainder of the lessons.
Role of the Leader/Facilitator
The leader's role is to facilitate discussion and critique. It is your responsibility to keep the goal of each lesson in focus.
You do not need to be a writing expert, but you MUST have a desire to see people in your community discipled through the printed word in the secular press. Thus your role is to foster the same desire in members of your group. The curriculum will help you establish a learning/sharing atmosphere. Remember to pray faithfully and regularly for your group members.
When discussing current issues, as any writer's group will, remember that personal feelings are involved. Be sensitive to (recognize) these personal feelings, and be prepared to shift the conversation to more neutral ground if the discussion gets too "hot." Remind them that the goal is not to solve the world's problems within a meeting-time, but to share ideas and discuss how God's Word relates to current issues.
Encourage each group member to complete his/her Application assignments for the next class time. In advance of each meeting, read through the lesson carefully. Note the discussion questions, and make notes of additional questions you would like to ask.
Facilitating a discussion
1. You do not need to talk all the time. In fact, you should avoid giving all the answers. When asking a question, direct it out into the open so that anyone feels free to answer. Don't worry if the group is quiet for a minute. Learn not to fill in all the blanks yourself.
2. Spread the discussion around. If someone has taken over the conversation and seems to be monopolizing, suggest that someone else share his/her ideas (at this point you will want to look at someone else and say his name, asking him to answer).
3. After one person has answered a question or commented on a certain area, be sure to offer the same opportunity to all others by asking, "Does anyone else have something to say about this?"
4. Watch the body language of group members. Some may want to speak but may not be able to get a word in edgewise, if the discussion is rolling along well. Be sensitive to the quiet ones, and occasionally ask them to comment.
Troubleshooting
Some people come to the group because they have an interest in writing a novel or poetry, and might not express an interest in the CWG vision. Do not discourage their participation. They are still welcome to be a part of the group! But do not get distracted-stay on track with the lessons. Christian writers must see how important it is for the Christian message to be brought to the secular world, and not just to "our own people." If participating in these lessons expands a writer's vision of discipling, then his time has been well spent.
Some group members may find critique to be difficult. Remind the group that critique does not mean changing the writer's "voice" or opinion to match your own. Critique must be full of love, respect and encouragement, along with constructive comments. If no one is writing or submitting their written pieces for publication, try assigning one or two writers per month to meet the goal of publication in a secular newspaper.
Step by Step Through the Lessons
It is helpful at the beginning of the discussion to provide a brief overview of the lesson: "Here's what we'll be talking about tonight (this morning)."
Preparation and Prayer
Discuss the materials involved for group members: 3-ring binder, preferably with pocket dividers; a Bible; the lessons. Have them pay close attention to this section each time, in order to know what to bring.
Emphasize the importance of prayer in opening the meeting.
Dedicate the meeting to the Lord in prayer and include the items mentioned in this section.
Establishing The Vision
Take turns reading this section aloud. Take time to comment on whatever strikes you, and ask for comments from the group.
Read the sidebar Scripture reference directly to the left of this section and discuss its relevance to this section.
Scripture References
If you have time, take turns reading aloud each Scripture. Point out how it applies to this lesson. Ask if anyone has other Scripture which comes to mind relating to the lesson.
Discussion Questions
Read each question aloud and wait for responses which lead to a discussion. Depending on numbers in your group and meeting time, you may want to limit discussion to five minutes per question.
Add your own questions if you have them. In asking questions your goal is not just to get answers, but to bring about discussion. Avoid questions that require only short, categorical answers.
Perfecting our Skills
Each lesson contains particular topics which improve one's understanding of writing, or stretch his skills. Take time to read this section aloud and discuss the elements requiring answers.
Critique
Beginning in Lesson Two, critique is an important part of each meeting. Just as it takes time to develop relationships within the group, it also takes time to develop critique skills. Be sensitive to writers who are unsure of their pieces; do not let them feel "attacked" by other group members!
Fostering an atmosphere of helpfulness and cooperation is important in a writer's group, especially when it is time to critique one another. If you show that you recognize the worth of each person in the group, the others will follow your example and will also respect and appreciate each other. Make sure more time is spent on positive, constructive comments than negative.
Application
These are your assignments for the next meeting. Take them seriously, and be sure to emphasize to others how important this section is. The goal of the group is to produce pieces of writing which disciple members of your community; this can only be accomplished if all group members fulfill their assignments!
Technical Tips
This brief section can be discussed if needed, or if questioned by a group member.
Hints for Each Lesson
Lesson 1
Here is where you introduce the CWG vision: discipling readers of the secular press. Some in your group may not be familiar with this concept, which is vital to establish before going on.
Take time to have someone read aloud the Ten CWG commands. If you have time, you can discuss these.
Emphasize the importance of fulfilling the assignments. The primary purpose of these lessons is to spur Christians into action. Get everyone writing as soon as possible! Encourage them to bring copies of their completed assignments to the next meeting.
Lesson 2
Discuss the list on page one. Why are these important to our writing?
Share your research from the assignment in Lesson One. Encourage your group to keep notes.
Here is where you and the group will share your writing assignments with one another and begin to critique. It is not a coincidence that the subject of this lesson is LOVE!
Lesson 3
Discipling, the heart of the Church Writing Group movement, is addressed here. If you have time, discuss the discipling experience for readers of the secular press. In other words, how might different types of people be discipled?
In addition to determining your purpose for writing, you must also determine your motive. Is what you are about to write loving? Is it truthful? Have you prayed about it?
There are plenty of opportunities to discuss additional ideas for topics. Here also is a chance to discuss our attitude as we write. ("What are you FOR?")
Lesson 4
In addition to reading this story aloud and commenting on its allegory to our own situation, make note of how this type of writing style effectively 1) draws a reader in; 2) entertains; and 3) makes the reader pause to think.
Discuss how this type of writing (seen again in future lessons) might be used as a discipling tool in the secular press. What kind of audience might this impact the most?
Lesson 5
Christian writers must regularly wrap their words in prayer, committing them to His will. Bob Briner reminds us that "The only way we can really change the world is to immerse our wills and desires so completely in the mind of Christ that we become extensions of His ministry to mankind. The best way to do that is to pray. " Lead your group to prayer that commits your work to the Lord. Ask God to help you as you resolve to pray regularly.
Lesson 6
Thoughtful, careful reading of the list of subtle sins can be done as a group, or you can recommend that each group member study it on his own. What does this have to do with the attitude of a writer/discipler?
Discuss the following: "My character is as important to God as my call. Obedience is necessary but it is equally important that I carry out God's will as the picture of God ... His nature, His thoughts, His attitudes in me."
Remember that humility is an essential attitude for a Christian writer. There once was a man who was given a medal to honor his great humility. But they had to take it away from him, because he wore it!
Lesson 7
Discuss the statement: "We do not write to convince others we're right; we write to lead them to Jesus." How can our egos interfere with this mandate?
We can make the mistake of conferring our societal values on others. For example, in the 18th century people read into Scriptures what they expected to find, which validated the "rightness" of slavery. Can you find contemporary examples of this happening among Christians?
Lesson 8
The art of skillfully writing is sometimes difficult to achieve, may be intimidating, and might even be the reason some Christians choose to put down their pens. Encourage your group that through reading and much practice, they can become effective writers.
Lesson 9
This lesson briefly touches on reactions we might face from readers unfriendly to our message. Some in your group may already have encountered both congratulatory and hostile responses. How should we reply to those who react out of anger? Likewise, when an article is well-received and is posted on your church bulletin board, what should be your attitude?
Lesson 10
How might you address a topic that has been an ongoing debate in the secular press between different Christian denominations? Should you avoid confronting the issue, or wade through and speak your mind -- or is there another alternative?
With your group, consider these commentaries on unity:
"Rancor not only destroys witness, it also exposes weakness of conviction. The less secure people are in their beliefs, the more strident they become. Conversely, the more confident people are of the truth, the more grace they exhibit to those who don't agree." (Chuck Colson, The Body)
"In recent years the major Christian churches have taken steps towards reconciliation, but these measures are far too slow; the world is perishing a hundred times more quickly. No one expects the churches to merge or to revise all their doctrines, but only to present a common front against atheism." (Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, May 1983, Templeton address)
Lesson 11
Make a practice of sharing about books each of you is currently reading. This serves two purposes: Titles are shared which increases learning; and group members are kept accountable for expanding their knowledge.
Lesson 12
Emphasize that this is not the end of the Church Writing Group experience! Make a one-year plan as this curriculum comes to an end. Commit to meeting regularly, submitting letters and opinion pieces according to a schedule, if possible. Arrange a time to show the CWG video to your church members and begin publicizing your writing group again. Post letters/opinion pieces that have been published, on a bulletin board for all to see.
Most importantly, this is only the end of the beginning! Your group can now fully launch itself into discipling the undiscipled.
Lesson Formats: Monthly or Weekly Meetings
These lessons were designed primarily for monthly, two-hour Church Writing Group meetings. They are also ideal for Sunday School and classroom settings. Christian high school and college writing classes will benefit from this curriculum and its flexibility.
Monthly Meetings
Each lesson can be finished in one monthly, two-hour meeting. There is time between meetings for writers to polish their written pieces and send them off to publications. This allows time for pieces to be published, and for writers to receive feedback from readers as well.
Weekly Sunday School/Classroom Settings
This format allows less time for submitting written pieces and seeing them published between classes. But the lessons can be broken down into sections, thus allowing for more time to write and submit pieces for publication.
Depending on the number of weeks per session, you will be able to decide how to break up the lessons. The easiest format (for a 45- to 60-minute class) would be as follows:
Week 1: Show CWG video, answer questions. Hand out materials and provide overview of the class.
Week 2: Lesson 1. Read through Establishing the Vision, Scripture References and Discussion Questions.
Week 3: Lesson 1. Read through Perfecting Our Skills, the Ten CWG Commands and Technical Tips. Be ready for discussion concerning any of these. Review the Application portion and assign written pieces. Ask one or two to write and submit their pieces to publications.
Week 4: Lesson 2. Same as Week 2. Have two or three writers volunteer to bring in extra copies of their written pieces for next week for critique.
Week 5: Lesson 2. Same as Week 3. This time, however, you are covering Critique. Spend a few minutes discussing Critique in the lesson, then five to ten minutes per written piece actually critiquing. Then finish with page two of the lesson.
Subsequent Weeks: If time allows, cover through the Discussion Questions the first half, then Perfecting Our Skills through Technical Tips the next week. This format will provide for at least 25 class times. You can adjust to meet your own schedule requirements.
After the Twelve Lessons Are Completed:
You are not finished with the discipling job God has given you! As a leader you will want to assess your group's progress and ask them to help you determine the next year's future.
Will you ...
» conduct another Sunday School class?
» review the past year with your pastor?
» kick off another year of meetings with publicity within your
» church?
» collect all pieces by your group that have been published and make a display for the church lobby?
» spend time thanking and praising God for all He has done in your group and in the community over the past year?
Now That You Are "Done"
As students graduate from school they participate in a "commencement." It is no accident that the word commencement means beginning. Once they have finished school they are commencing another period of their lives.
Similarly, it is important for you and your group to agree that as you finish these lessons, you have just begun another phase of your mission! This is not the conclusion of your experience with the Church Writing Group. For the past twelve meetings, you have been learning and practicing. Now your Church Writing Group commences its true mission, to be pursued until the Lord returns. Consider what an awesome commissioning that is!
Go now, and begin a long-term, unending lifetime of discipleship through the secular media. And remember that Jesus will be with you as you make disciples and teach them to obey everything He has commanded. (See Matthew 18:19-20.)
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