When you convene your group for discussion, keep the following in mind. These
suggestions are meant to ensure a relaxed setting, a discussion that is interesting for all participants and a process that respects the way adults engage a subject.

1. Don’t plan on too large a group. This discourages individual participation. If there are more than 20 or 30 people interested in participating, consider scheduling two groups and ask people to commit to one group or the other so you can ensure a balance in numbers.

2. Don’t plan on too long a session. An hour should be adequate for full, considered discussion. Announce the intended length of the discussion session.

3. Prepare the group by ensuring they have seen the film and read the selected
article. This may require printing out the article for those who can’t access the
internet themselves.

4. Prepare the room before the group convenes. Place the chairs in a large circle so that all members can see each other without turning around in their seats. This creates a setting conducive to participation.

5. Start on time and re-announce the length of time you have set aside for
discussion.

6. Begin with a prayer or other natural form of expression for your group.

7. Introduce yourself and explain that your role is to keep the conversation flowing. Encourage participants to see you as a facilitator, not a participant. This will make it easier for you to guide the conversation in another direction if it gets sidetracked.

8. Ask that each member of the group identify himself or herself briefly and to say in one or two words how he/she is feeling at the moment. This works as a kind of “ice-breaker.”

9. Assure everyone that the discussion is meant to be a way for each participant to explore the themes of the film more deeply. This means that each person’s response is to be acknowledged and each person’s perspective is to be respected.

10. There is the possibility that people will tap into strong emotions as they talk about forgiveness issues in the film or in their lives. Ask the group to agree that whatever is said in this group is held in confidence by everyone present.

11. Sum up the objective content of the film. You might say something like:

The film seems to be saying that forgiveness is a conscious, willful choice to turn away from the pain, hurt, resentment and desire for revenge that arises from a betrayal, offense, injustice or deep hurt. Forgiveness involves a willingness to accept the past, to see the transgression and transgressor in a larger context, and to replace negative feelings with compassion and tolerance.
You may be afraid that forgiving an offense will diminish the affront itself. It won’t. Forgiveness is not forgetting. It is not accepting or justifying the offense. It is not pardoning, excusing, condoning or even reconciling. And you don’t necessarily have to understand the offender or the offense to forgive.

To forgive is also deeply rooted in many of the world’s religious teachings, beliefs and practices. For many, religious beliefs provide a roadmap and a resource for forgiveness–a touchstone that helps to deal with what otherwise might be too overwhelming.

One of the seemingly most difficult places to start is with yourself. We are often hardest on ourselves, and that can spill out into how we approach most aspects of our lives and our relationships.
There are common elements to the various approaches to forgiveness that researchers have developed. Clearly, we must acknowledge the transgression, the hurt, anger, and other emotions that arise in response to it. Denying or ignoring any part of our experience inhibits our ability to move beyond the pain of the event itself.

Depending on the magnitude of the transgression, forgiveness frequently requires finding people to support you. Our culture, particularly popular media, often feeds and glorifies the notion of revenge. Family and friends may be overly protective, suffer from hurt and anger for what was done to you, and seek revenge on your behalf. Finding people who can listen without judgment and help you consider forgiveness as an option is important to the process.

12. Ask if there are any questions about the outline of the film. You may not be able to answer any and all questions. Others in the group may be able to help with that. Perhaps someone will ask a question no one can answer. If so, the group should be comfortable with that fact.

13. Remind the group that the discussion will be guided somewhat by the selected article but it need not be limited to that.

14. Begin by asking people what affected them most deeply about the film.

15. During the discussion, let each person respond completely without interruption.

16. Avoid giving your own opinion on what others are saying. As discussion leader, your task is to keep the discussion flowing and on topic.

17. You may consider having someone copy onto newsprint the key group responses to the film.

18. When the time feels right to you (allow at least the last 15 minutes of the discussion for this) tell everyone that the group is now going to talk about the selected article. It would be good to have copies of the article for those who didn’t bring the. Sum up the article and proceed to the discussion question at the end.

19. In closing the discussion, thank everyone for their participation.

20. Close with a prayer or other natural expression for your group.

Additional Information is available at www.journeyfilms.com