The Fire Within

Introduction & Welcome (1 min.)

I. Opening Prayer (5 min.)

Grace:  To identify how our longing for intimacy informs our daily decisions.

Use the grace and the suggested scripture above to create your own prayer, or use CLC Opening Prayer.

II. Check-In (5 min.)

• • Name an example of someone you saw on TV or social media this week who was seeking intimacy.

III.  Focus Exercise (40 min.)

Materials Needed:  CLC supply box (CLC journal booklets, papers, pens, etc.), Longing for Intimacy article, Stream of Consciousness Writing (found in the journal booklet)

Introduction

Who doesn’t want to feel loved? Who doesn’t want to feel REAL connection to people and not just be a passerby in the grocery store, the bar, the shopping center, the gym, or even in church?  The desire for intimacy is one of the most fundamental human needs.  This meeting is an opportunity to examine more closely our strong desire for intimacy.

As with all powerful desires, there are two sides of it.  On one hand, we are designed for intimacy with God and made for human community.  On the other hand, societal pressures make us think that it has to be earned, deserved, and expressed in very narrow and sometimes unfulfilling ways.  We long for healthy fulfilling intimacy but we often settle for less in an effort to at least get close to it.

Exercise 1: Longing for Intimacy

Introduce the topic of the evening by inviting members to read the article “Longing for Intimacy”.  Have the group reflect on their reactions to the article.

Exercise 2: Stream of Consciousness Writing

With meditation music playing, invite members to take some silent reflection to write on the questions from "Stream of Consciousness Writing" in their journal booklets.  Reiterate that there are no right answers and full sentences or punctuation are not necessary.  Encourage members to listen to their natural responses and instincts upon reading the statements.  Encourage them to allow their pens to flow without judgment.

Sharing 

• • Which questions drew you?  Which questions challenged you?

  • Any new insights, repetition or deepening of prior "aha! moments"?

  • Any area you feel invited to return to later for more reflection?

  • What is remaining with you from this prayer?

Listening Deeper

Suggested questions to deepen awareness of inner movements and further conversation

• • What has struck you as you have been listening to others share?  Do you notice any patterns or commonalities?

  • How have you been feeling throughout the meeting? Comfortable? Anxious? Curious?

  • Is there anything you would like to share after listening to another person share?

IV.  Moving Forward (5 min.)

• Action:  

  1. Pay attention to the ways you express intimacy this week. Allow yourself to be surprised.

  2. Share with your prayer partner.

• Announcements:  Topic for next meeting and upcoming CLC events

V.  Closing Prayer (5 min.)

Pray for each other or use the CLC Closing Prayer.