Consider the Raven Support Group Boundaries and Guidelines
This is your support group. We ask that you commit to the following behaviors.
I agree to:
Respect time and attendance: (make these checkable by the viewer)
- Please honor the start and end times. Being late or absent takes away from the group experience, and isn’t respectful to the other members.
- Make a commitment to stay in the process for the 9 weeks.
- As this group is designed to all be done remotely, please figure out how to use zoom which is the platform we will be using. How to use a zoom link to log into the meeting, how to use your mic, how to mute yourself if needed, how to turn off and on your video, etc.
- Find a room that is quiet, free from distractions and away from anyone else who can overhear what is being said.
- Remember: The enemy does not want you to attend these groups, be on time, or see you experience freedom. Don’t be surprised by distractions or complications that come up.
Maintain confidentiality
- Don’t talk about anything you hear in the group to people outside of the group. Everything said in the group is confidential.
- If all group members do this, the group will develop an atmosphere of trust and openness. Healing is based on trust
Practice listening
- Listen actively and constructively. Listen with acceptance and positive interest.
- Hear each other out, and focus on understanding each one’s situation and their feelings.
- Allow each person (including you) to feel and express their whole range of emotions (pain, grief, anger, joy, confidence, peace).
Choose to participate
- Each week, plan your time wisely so you can watch, listen, read and digest this content. Then take the time to reflect and answer the questions. If you would rather just show up and “wing-it”, you will no doubt still get something from this experience but it can be so much more for you and others if you are prepared.
- There is no requirement to talk or share in the group, but each person is encouraged to. Share from the heart.
- Recognize openness involves risk-taking. By taking risks, you discover who you are and what you’re capable of becoming. Be as honest as possible in all things.
- When others are talking, please let them finish without interrupting them.
- In this group, you’re encouraged to share your experience, your strength, and your hope in Christ.
- Give yourself permission to express your thoughts and feelings in this safe atmosphere.
Be sensitive
- Some people are outgoing and comfortable sharing feelings, for others this is a new experience. Please avoid dominating the group.
- Build up each person and learn to accept support from others. Focus on the positives.
Be well mannered
- Take care to protect the integrity of the group, as well as each group member.
- Please avoid speaking of others to anyone.
- Refrain from interrupting others when they are sharing and/or responding to their information. When it is your turn to share, focus on sharing about your own feelings and experiences instead of reacting to what other people have shared.
Give advice only when asked for
- We will all benefit from each other’s stories, and many will find it helpful to process thoughts and feelings aloud.
- Avoid giving advice or judging. Please offer advice only when it’s asked for.
- We are here to listen, support, and be supported, not to fix. No rescuing or caretaking. Each person will be given the opportunity to walk through their stories, experiences and feelings.
- It is important that we each take responsibility for working on our own healing.
Recognize healing is done by the power of the Holy Spirit
- Allow the Lord to work in your life.
- See yourself, and others in the group, as children of God who are pressing in for healing and freedom.
- Share what God is doing for you in this process. Your testimony will go far to encourage and give hope to others.
- Begin to practice recognizing when you’re being emotionally triggered by others’ stories. Pay attention to these areas, as they are indications that God is showing you an area where He wants to bring truth and healing.
Thank you.
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Consider the Raven 