The Gathering. Study Guide for Group Discussion

Transcription

1 The Gathering Study Guide for Group Discussion

2 Dear Study Group Companion, The following group study guide was developed by Rev. Jerry Farrell of Unity of the Gold Country for a seven week series of lessons they offered at their center, using the book, The Gathering by Jim Rosemergy. There are quite a number of questions offered in each section, probably more than you could cover in a typical gathering but offering you a choice from which the group or your facilitator du jour can choose for the discussion. I strongly encourage you to use the Group Prayer practice outlined in the book (pp ) at some point during your group session for that is the heart of this work and the path inward that leads to transformation. It might be an effective way to conclude your evening session, using it in place of a closing prayer. I affirm and know that these teachings and practices make a profound impact upon your spiritual growth and help you awaken to the divine presence within you. In faith and love Rev. Larry Week Seven: Chapter 7 & 8 A Time Beyond Time Chapter 7: The Heart of the Gathering page Does your prayer time help clarify your motivations? 2. When you pray what is your purpose or goal? What does the author say our purpose ought to be? (page 61) 3. What is your experience, if any, of sitting in the silence? 4. Have you ever had an elevated experience of God s presence? Share it if you are comfortable. 5. What part does waiting play in prayer and are you good at it? Chapter 8: I Have Learned to Be Content; God Is Enough. 1. How do you find contentment in challenging circumstances? 2. Have you let go of the need to bend life to your will? 3. Ultimately where is contentment to be found? 4. The author refers to the single eye. Discuss. 5. What do you think of his statement that knowing God is enough? Close the meeting with the 9 step process outlined on pps Suggested Practice for Week Seven and Hereafter Complete the reading of the book (Chapter 9 pages 83-89) Practice the 9 step prayer process in private prayer each day. Discuss meeting as a group to do the process.

3 Week Six: Chapter 6 I Acknowledge That A Consciousness of God Is The Answer. Chapter 6. Life Is A Consciousness of God What does the statement life is consciousness mean to you? 2. We don t see the world as it is, we see it as we are. What do you think of this statement? What are its implications? 3. It is your Father s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom - is this your experience? 4. When you pray are you looking for the presence of God or are you looking for answers to needs? What is the effect of this on your life? 5. How has reading this book changed your thinking about God, your needs, and prayer? 6. We bring ourselves and our willingness to awaken, and Spirit answers by giving Itself to us. Discuss. Suggested Practice for Week Six Practice simply bringing ourselves to God and a willingness to awaken, while setting aside our needs. Continue with the 40 Day exercises on pages INTRODUCTION Prayer is such a vital part of our spiritual lives and it can be a challenge to keep it fresh. In his book, The Gathering, Rev Jim Rosemergy offers us a refreshingly different way to pray. What he has to offer us is a very clear understanding of how God relates to us and to our needs. He provides us with a prayer process that has nine steps to it, and this process can be utilized by us in individual prayer time or in a group format. Some of the steps may seem strange or different than what we have been used to in our prayer time. The chapters of the book explain why each of the steps are necessary. I encourage you to not reject his ideas if they don t make sense initially or at least until you have tried putting them into practice. Many have found this 9 step process to be life changing. That is my hope for you. Rev Jerry (Unity in the Gold Country)

4 Circle Covenants What is shared in the circle, stays in the circle. To ensure a safe environment for sharing experiences and feelings. We speak from the heart, With respect for the circle. Briefly and to the point so all have a chance to share. One at a time, we speak only for ourselves. We offer our feelings and experience, not our advice in a positive manner that encourages dialogue. Listen from the heart, For understanding and with compassion. As allies and are open to new ideas and being transformed. Without judgment, in order to hear the wisdom from each speaker. We take responsibility for our own experience and impact on the circle. Stay in circle, Respect for the circle calls upon each of us to be present. All meetings begin and end on time Our group meets on from to. I make every attempt to be present each week. If I m unable to attend, I ll call the home host at:. Week Five: Step 5 I Willingly Forgive Myself Chapter 5: I Am Precious to God Do you find it easier to forgive others or yourself? Why? 2. We echo the words of long ago and act as if we are in need of repair. Is this true for you and if you are comfortable doing so share your experience with the group? 3. The group leader asks everyone to sit in the silence while remembering past harsh words that hurt. Hear the words and feel the feelings that they bring up. Then allow the words I am precious to God to begin to take the place of those other words. Repeat those words until you come to a place of peace and appreciation of yourself. 4. What do you think of the author s thoughts on the story of the mark of Cain on pages Reflect on the question What does Spirit see when It looks at me? If you would like to share what you discovered. 6. What can you do to make God stop loving you? 7. How does the power of prayer heal us? ( page 46) Suggested Practice for Week Five Work with the hurt child image mentioned on page 47. Continue with the 40 Day exercises on pages X signed

5 Week Four: Step 4 I Willingly Forgive Others Chapter 4: Freedom through Forgiveness pages Our lack of forgiveness makes it impossible for us to feel the love of God. Reflect on this statement and share your thoughts or experiences. 2. Why are people afraid to forgive? 3. Have you ever had the experience of being unable to forgive someone over a long period of time? What finally worked that allowed you to forgive? 4. Who is forgiveness really for? What does the author say about forgiveness and our awareness of God? 5. Is forgiveness a mental thing, an emotional thing, or a cellular thing, or a combination of all three? Share your ideas. 6. The author says that forgiveness is simply a return to love. Why then is it so hard to do? 7. Forgive your enemies. Who or what is the enemy? 8. Your thoughts or questions about this past week s material. Suggested Practice for Week Four Practice the three step process of forgiveness on pages Continue with the 40 Day exercises on pages Week One: Step 1 Foreword, Introduction and Chapter 1 pages ix-xvi & Discuss the statement that the power of God is available to each of us. 2. Why would we release our human need? Does that seem strange to you? 3. What positive role do our needs have in our lives? What is their purpose? 4. Whatever God is doing, God is always doing in our lives? Do you agree or disagree with this and explain why you believe what you believe? 5. If God knows what we need before we ask for it then why ask at all? 6. Discuss Emily Cady s statement There is only God; all else is a lie. 7. When a person experiences the Presence there is no lack. Have you had such experiences and would you be willing to share them with the group? 8. If you have been used to bringing your needs to God are you willing to try this new approach? 9. Your thoughts or questions about this past week s reading material. Suggested Practice for Week One This week October 2-8 practice this step whenever you stop to pray, especially whenever a compelling need arises that brings you to prayer. Think to yourself I release my human need. Be specific and say I release my human need for e.g. money, a job, a healing etc.

6 Week Two: Step 2 I accept my human condition so I can express my spiritual nature. Chapter 2 Step 2 pages How are you doing with releasing your human needs? Is their one in particular that is hard for you to do? 2. Does accepting your human condition seem like giving in? 3. Does resisting conditions or situations really work or does it only make things worse? Have you an example you can share? 4. What do you think of the author s assertion that unless you are able to accept your humanity, you will not be able to express your divinity? 5. Take time to think about how you feel about yourself, your own self worth. If there is something that you struggle with accepting about yourself you may choose to share it with the group. If not, think about it silently and keep in mind your thoughts on this matter. 6. Group exercise. After everyone has finished thinking about the previous question take a few minutes silence and then the group leader asks of the group, Will you accept me just the way I am? All group members respond I will accept you just the way you are. Each person in turn asks the question and the group responds. 7. The group leader leads the group in doing the exercise on page 19. If anyone would like to share their experience when the exercise is finished they may do so. 8. Your thoughts or questions about this past week s material.. Suggested Practice for Week Two Practice the exercise The Banquet from pages once a day. On October 9th start the 40 Day series of exercises on page 95. Do one exercise each day, pages Week Three: Step 3. I willingly release any part of my human self that is a barrier to God. Chapter 3: Step 3 pages What attitudes or beliefs do we reaffirm each day by the way we live our lives that do not contribute to our living the way we want? 2. Are you clear what the barriers are that keep you from living the life you want? 3. What does the author say is required for us to let go of the barriers that hold us back? Practically what does that mean? 4. No longer holding on, allowing myself to be held - is this something that you can do when in meditation. What might prevent you from being able to do this? The group leader invites everyone to enter into a meditation time starting with silence. Each person states silently no longer holding on, I allow myself to be held. Discuss your experience if you feel comfortable. 5. The author says that the ability to let go is linked to remembering that the sacrifice involved has a purpose. What do you think of that idea? 6. What might Spirit be asking you to release? 7. Your thoughts or questions about this past week s material. Suggested Practice for Week Three Practice asking the question what are you willing to release? Continue with the 40 Day exercises doing one each day, pages