Six-Week Program
Week 6 Group Meeting: Wrap-Up, Communion with God, & Closure
Leader Guide
Meeting notes & overview
This meeting invites participants to share their experience of Step 3 of the BNL process in a reflective, open, honest way. The goal is not perfection, but awareness—becoming more attentive to what has been happening in both their outward and inward lives.
As people share, some may speak easily, while others may be more reserved. Everyone is welcome. Creating a space of attentiveness, respect, and openness to all is central to this gathering.
Your role in this meeting is not to guide people to conclusions, but to help create a space where honest sharing can happen.
A calm, attentive presence—along with simple encouragement—is often more powerful than many words.
Time allotments are based on a one-hour meeting and can be adjusted as needed.
Opening activities (approx. 15 minutes)
Opening prayer
Open with a brief prayer, or invite someone else to offer one.
Readings
Read the following aloud, or invite one or more attendees to do so.
Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)The smallest amount of divine power is enough, every time it is called on, to tame instantly the entire devil's gang, even if it consisted of millions. (Emanuel Swedenborg, Secrets of Heaven, paragraph 8626)
The power to resist sins, when prayed for, is never denied anyone, but is granted to all. (Emanuel Swedenborg, Charity, paragraphs 203, 204)
People who believe in God say to themselves, “With God's help I will conquer this.” And they pray for it and obtain it. (Emanuel Swedenborg, Charity, paragraph 203)
The Lord's constant effort to reform and regenerate us, and so to purify us from evils, is realized when we will and intend it. (Emanuel Swedenborg, Charity, paragraph 203)
Check-in
Invite each person to share a highlight of their day or week, or an opening comment.
To keep the process moving, each person should share only a sentence or two.
During this time, the group simply listens without comment or discussion, though as the leader, you may allow some flexibility.
After each person shares, respond with “Thank you” before moving on.
If the group has more than eight participants, consider breaking into smaller groups of four to eight.
Group business
Share any announcements or decisions that need attention.
If there is nothing to address, skip this portion. Like Check-in, it should move quickly.
Task for this meeting
Read the following aloud:
This past week, your task was Step 3 of the BNL process: Pray to the Lord; Beg for His Help and Power in Resisting Your Sin.
You were to do one of the following:
Review your worksheets through Step 2, then complete Step 3.
Use a new set of worksheets, go through Steps 1-3.
Pause here and invite any questions before moving into group sharing.
Group sharing (approx. 30 minutes)
Transition by saying something like:
“Let’s take some time to share about your experience of Step 3.”Begin the sharing by asking:
“What was your experience of Step 3?”Allow sharing to unfold naturally, giving space for each person to respond as they feel led. If needed, use any of the following questions to encourage further reflection and sharing.
As you went through Steps 1 – 3 of the process, what was your state of mind or heart as you moved from Step 2.3 (“Confess your sin before the Lord”) into Step 3 (“Pray to the Lord”)? What role did that state play for you in the process?
What was your experience of turning to the Lord and asking for His help and power in Step 3? Did it feel easy, or did you find it difficult or challenging in any way? Can you tell us about that?
Did you notice any barriers or resistance when it came to asking the Lord for help and power in resisting your sin? If so, what were they—and how did you work with them? More specifically, what thoughts or feelings come up for you around the idea of pleading or “begging” for the Lord’s help and power? What do you make of that language?
In Step 3, you prayed for the Lord’s “help and power in resisting your sin.” What do those words—help and power—mean to you personally? What are you actually asking for in each case? What do you hope the Lord will do or provide?
At the bottom of the Step 3 worksheet, there’s a quotation suggesting that even the smallest amount of divine power is enough, every time it’s called on, to tame instantly the entire devil’s crew, even if it consisted of millions. In your own experience, what has it been like to call on the Lord’s power in times of struggle or temptation? How do you do it—and what happens when you do? Can you share an example and the impact it had?
Looking back, what meaning or value did Step 3 hold for you?
Closure (approx. 15 minutes)
Task for the next meeting
Read the following aloud:
Your task for the coming week is Step 4 of the BNL process: Begin a New Life.
Do one of the following:
Review your worksheets through Step 3, and then complete Step 4.
Using a new set of worksheets, go through all four steps for your chosen issue.
Come to the next meeting ready to share your experience of Step 4.
Leader for the next meeting
If your group shares leadership, take a moment to decide who will lead the next meeting.
Closing comments
Invite each person to share a brief closing comment.
This is not a time for further sharing—just a simple word or brief reflection.
It’s a time to listen, without comment or discussion.
After each person shares, respond, “Thank you,” before moving on.
If the group is larger than eight, consider breaking into smaller groups of four to eight.
Closing prayer
Invite the group to say the Lord’s Prayer together.