The main purpose is to make sure that the group stays focused on what God is doing in THEIR life and what God is speaking to THEM.
Reference or reading of scripture is encouraged for all the participants. The Bible should be the only source of praying through issues.
Start with anyone who is attending for the first time (see instructions).
Listen intently to what is being said. Participants should not be allowed to teach, preach or story tell. ALWAYS bring it back to Christ and pray about each issue. Revelation happens when the Holy Spirit uses each participant (the body) to bring out relevant issues in our lives. There are always connections.
Do not allow issues to get “stacked”. Stop and pray about each issue. Spend as much time as necessary on each issue.
If correlating issues are present, encourage members to lay hands on the person being prayed for and it is important that participants pray for each other especially if they have dealt with the same or similar issues.
Follow up with each person once they have been prayed for by the group to see if anything came to mind or was revealed to them.
Although the Guide/Leader should be the main person to keep the group focused, the entire group should control itself.
Time is important, but do not make the group uncomfortable or aware of how much time each person has to share. There are no set time limits for each person. Each person comes into that session with individual issues that may require more time than others. Use common sense to move on or stay on an issue. Each person will not get equal time and that is good.Again, it comes back to what Jesus is doing, not about me and my turn. Try and follow what the Lord is doing—not your agenda.
The Gathering is to strengthen, encourage, and comfort each other. Keep that in mind when determining if anyone is crossing any lines.
Encourage all the members of your group to pray. Some people are not very comfortable praying and need to be asked to pray. Everyone does not need to pray for each person in the group, but make an effort to have everyone in the group to pray at least once for somebody else.
Keep in mind that all of us are made in God’s image and have sinned. We are not here to judge, condemn, correct, give advice, or speak negatively about anyone’s church or denomination. The “spirit of religion” will try to steer good fellowship in a negative direction.
FELLOWSHIP – There are not many venues where men can be completely open and transparent. The Gathering is built on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and sharing your ongoing testimony by His saving grace. All participants should want something FOR you and not FROM you. If there is even a hint of a motive or agenda then it should be dealt with immediately.
Openness and transparency are keys to sharing what God is doing in each life. The more vulnerable each participant becomes and open to the Holy Spirit, the more revelation will occur. Encourage each person to receive the prayers being offered by the other members.
At no time should the Guide/Leader be a dominating factor in the group – you are there to serve the group and participate.
Close the Gathering in a prayer or ask someone who feels lead to pray to close in prayer.
