Notes on Group Spiritual Direction Video from Shalem institute

Spiritual Direction assumes that the Holy Spirit is guiding. It helps me come in contact with that leading. Similarly to one understanding of intercessory prayer–God's Spirit prays in me always–the idea is to be in touch with that prayer, by asking in effect, God, what are you praying in me?

Group Spiritual Direction is community to 'blow the dust from my eyes.' and see the working of God in me.

The process:

Silence (5 mins)

Sharing of 1 (10 mins)

Silence (3-4 mins)

Response of Group (10-11 mins)

repeat

Time of sharing about group process–how prayerful were we together?

Set aside a time periodically to reconsider commitment and purpose

This is not a gathering to talk as much as to listen . . . to God speak in silence and through each other.

Let people talk about how they experience silence (maybe use the awareness wheel) so that it's a safe experience for everyone.

Commitments expected of participants:

1.	Be intentional about spiritual journey

2.	Be willing to share personal journey with the group and share out of the silence, not just from past experience

3.	Be in prayer for each other in the group and out of it in whatever way is appropriate for you

4.	Show up

At Shalem they meet every other week or every three weeks for the first several meetings, then once a month to give the Spirit time to work in between meetings.

They expect people to have reflected on the spiritual journey between meetings, but initial silence may be used to reflect on questions like:

1.	When have I been spontaneously drawn to prayer, to thinking about God and appreciating life?

2.	When have I notices that I was very open to God, or backing away from Him?

3.	What is my prayer around this now?

4.	What do I want to say to God?

5.	What do I want to hear from Him?

They spend 20-25 minutes total per person including sharing and response. 10 mins share 3-4 mins silence 10-11 mins response

People are asked to share about their experience with God and how they are praying. They are asked to avoid asking for information and solutions. The group is to listen to the person sharing without interruption. Spending 3-4 minutes in silence helps us answer from a deep place inside, not just from habit or personal experiences, but from the Spirit's speaking in our hearts.

Avoid the tendency to interrogate, discuss, give advice, fix or do therapy.

It is the participant's right to invite the group back to silence at any time –perhaps if they feel 'fixed.'

When someone doesn't show up, the group will spend 10 minutes in silent prayer for that person at the beginning because we believe this is the most important thing we can do for them.

Spend some time at the end reflecting on questions such as:

1.	How prayerful was our presence for each other tonight?

2.	How well were we listening to the Spirit?

3.	Is the group, as a group, seeking God?

4.	Is the group taking responsibility for the prayerfulness of the group, or do they rely only on the leader?

A person may be asked to leave if it seems that their behavior is affecting the prayerfulness of the group, disrupting their own or others' space for spiritual direction, or if it seems that the group is enabling a person in a negative pattern rather than helping.