AcademyStudy Resource
Study Resource

Facilitator Guide

Session-by-session teaching plans, discussion facilitation, and pastoral care notes.

For Teachers, small-group leaders, class facilitators
Overview

What's Inside

A six-session facilitator plan with teaching objectives, discussion pacing, pastoral watch-fors (grief, unresolved trauma, prosperity assumptions), close-out prayer, and an appendix on handling tender pastoral moments in group settings.

Sections

Included in this guide

  • Preparation
  • Teaching Outline
  • Discussion Pacing
  • Pastoral Watch-Fors
  • Close and Send
  • Facilitator Notes
Chapter I · 2 Chronicles 20:1-2

The Problem

A Great Multitude Coming Against Us

Section

Preparation

  • Re-read Chapter I — The Problem — and pray by name for each participant.
  • Have 2 Chronicles 20:1-2 open in two translations.
  • Bring the Participant Guide and the Small Group Guide to the session.
  • Set a room posture that invites honesty — circle seating when possible.
Section

Teaching Outline

Establish the Occupant Principle before anything else. The whole volume depends on this move.

  • Open with prayer and a one-minute silence.
  • Read 2 Chronicles 20:1-2 aloud together.
  • Teach 20–25 minutes; keep the pastoral tone.
  • Move to discussion with the Small Group prompts.
  • Close with the chapter's prayer read aloud in unison.
Section

Discussion Pacing

  • Do not attempt every discussion question. Choose three.
  • Leave 8–10 minutes for the sharing circle at the end.
  • Watch for the member who has not spoken; invite, do not require.
Section

Pastoral Watch-Fors

  • Members bringing unspoken grief into 'Occupant' language. Slow down; do not lecture past their pain.
Section

Close and Send

Read Rev. Dr. Lewis's closing prayer for the chapter aloud, in unison. Send the group with one specific 'Take It Home' from the Participant Guide.

Section

Facilitator Notes

  • Journal after the session while the room is still warm: what did the Spirit do you did not plan?
  • Follow up with any member whose story surfaced. A single text on Monday reinforces the safety of the room.
  • Bring one carry-over story into next week's opening.
Chapter II · 2 Chronicles 20:3-12

The Petition

Setting Ourselves to Seek the Lord

Section

Preparation

  • Re-read Chapter II — The Petition — and pray by name for each participant.
  • Have 2 Chronicles 20:3-12 open in two translations.
  • Bring the Participant Guide and the Small Group Guide to the session.
  • Set a room posture that invites honesty — circle seating when possible.
Section

Teaching Outline

Move from fear to consecration (nathan). Do not skip the honesty of Verse 12.

  • Open with prayer and a one-minute silence.
  • Read 2 Chronicles 20:3-12 aloud together.
  • Teach 20–25 minutes; keep the pastoral tone.
  • Move to discussion with the Small Group prompts.
  • Close with the chapter's prayer read aloud in unison.
Section

Discussion Pacing

  • Do not attempt every discussion question. Choose three.
  • Leave 8–10 minutes for the sharing circle at the end.
  • Watch for the member who has not spoken; invite, do not require.
Section

Pastoral Watch-Fors

  • The pride that hides fear. Give explicit permission to name fears aloud.
Section

Close and Send

Read Rev. Dr. Lewis's closing prayer for the chapter aloud, in unison. Send the group with one specific 'Take It Home' from the Participant Guide.

Section

Facilitator Notes

  • Journal after the session while the room is still warm: what did the Spirit do you did not plan?
  • Follow up with any member whose story surfaced. A single text on Monday reinforces the safety of the room.
  • Bring one carry-over story into next week's opening.
Chapter III · 2 Chronicles 20:13-17

The Proposal

Heaven Responds!

Section

Preparation

  • Re-read Chapter III — The Proposal — and pray by name for each participant.
  • Have 2 Chronicles 20:13-17 open in two translations.
  • Bring the Participant Guide and the Small Group Guide to the session.
  • Set a room posture that invites honesty — circle seating when possible.
Section

Teaching Outline

Introduce Jahaziel and the sevenfold oracle. Model 'repeating the process' inside your own facilitation.

  • Open with prayer and a one-minute silence.
  • Read 2 Chronicles 20:13-17 aloud together.
  • Teach 20–25 minutes; keep the pastoral tone.
  • Move to discussion with the Small Group prompts.
  • Close with the chapter's prayer read aloud in unison.
Section

Discussion Pacing

  • Do not attempt every discussion question. Choose three.
  • Leave 8–10 minutes for the sharing circle at the end.
  • Watch for the member who has not spoken; invite, do not require.
Section

Pastoral Watch-Fors

  • Members using 'stand still' as a spiritual excuse for avoidance. Distinguish waiting from stalling.
Section

Close and Send

Read Rev. Dr. Lewis's closing prayer for the chapter aloud, in unison. Send the group with one specific 'Take It Home' from the Participant Guide.

Section

Facilitator Notes

  • Journal after the session while the room is still warm: what did the Spirit do you did not plan?
  • Follow up with any member whose story surfaced. A single text on Monday reinforces the safety of the room.
  • Bring one carry-over story into next week's opening.
Chapter IV · 2 Chronicles 20:18-21

The Praise

Manners and Methods of Worship

Section

Preparation

  • Re-read Chapter IV — The Praise — and pray by name for each participant.
  • Have 2 Chronicles 20:18-21 open in two translations.
  • Bring the Participant Guide and the Small Group Guide to the session.
  • Set a room posture that invites honesty — circle seating when possible.
Section

Teaching Outline

Reframe praise as outgrowth, not technique. Name the diversity of postures explicitly.

  • Open with prayer and a one-minute silence.
  • Read 2 Chronicles 20:18-21 aloud together.
  • Teach 20–25 minutes; keep the pastoral tone.
  • Move to discussion with the Small Group prompts.
  • Close with the chapter's prayer read aloud in unison.
Section

Discussion Pacing

  • Do not attempt every discussion question. Choose three.
  • Leave 8–10 minutes for the sharing circle at the end.
  • Watch for the member who has not spoken; invite, do not require.
Section

Pastoral Watch-Fors

  • Worship-style debates that miss the object. Redirect gently toward the beauty of holiness.
Section

Close and Send

Read Rev. Dr. Lewis's closing prayer for the chapter aloud, in unison. Send the group with one specific 'Take It Home' from the Participant Guide.

Section

Facilitator Notes

  • Journal after the session while the room is still warm: what did the Spirit do you did not plan?
  • Follow up with any member whose story surfaced. A single text on Monday reinforces the safety of the room.
  • Bring one carry-over story into next week's opening.
Chapter V · 2 Chronicles 20:22-24

The Power

Seeing the Salvation of the Lord

Section

Preparation

  • Re-read Chapter V — The Power — and pray by name for each participant.
  • Have 2 Chronicles 20:22-24 open in two translations.
  • Bring the Participant Guide and the Small Group Guide to the session.
  • Set a room posture that invites honesty — circle seating when possible.
Section

Teaching Outline

Preach the simultaneity of praise and power. Take the group up the watch tower.

  • Open with prayer and a one-minute silence.
  • Read 2 Chronicles 20:22-24 aloud together.
  • Teach 20–25 minutes; keep the pastoral tone.
  • Move to discussion with the Small Group prompts.
  • Close with the chapter's prayer read aloud in unison.
Section

Discussion Pacing

  • Do not attempt every discussion question. Choose three.
  • Leave 8–10 minutes for the sharing circle at the end.
  • Watch for the member who has not spoken; invite, do not require.
Section

Pastoral Watch-Fors

  • Members who cannot yet climb the watch tower — grief is too fresh. Do not force retrospective grace.
Section

Close and Send

Read Rev. Dr. Lewis's closing prayer for the chapter aloud, in unison. Send the group with one specific 'Take It Home' from the Participant Guide.

Section

Facilitator Notes

  • Journal after the session while the room is still warm: what did the Spirit do you did not plan?
  • Follow up with any member whose story surfaced. A single text on Monday reinforces the safety of the room.
  • Bring one carry-over story into next week's opening.
Chapter VI · 2 Chronicles 20:25-30

The Provision

When Tragedy Gives Birth to Blessings

Section

Preparation

  • Re-read Chapter VI — The Provision — and pray by name for each participant.
  • Have 2 Chronicles 20:25-30 open in two translations.
  • Bring the Participant Guide and the Small Group Guide to the session.
  • Set a room posture that invites honesty — circle seating when possible.
Section

Teaching Outline

Close with Jehovah-Jireh and shalom. Anchor the arc in posterity for the next generation.

  • Open with prayer and a one-minute silence.
  • Read 2 Chronicles 20:25-30 aloud together.
  • Teach 20–25 minutes; keep the pastoral tone.
  • Move to discussion with the Small Group prompts.
  • Close with the chapter's prayer read aloud in unison.
Section

Discussion Pacing

  • Do not attempt every discussion question. Choose three.
  • Leave 8–10 minutes for the sharing circle at the end.
  • Watch for the member who has not spoken; invite, do not require.
Section

Pastoral Watch-Fors

  • Members whose valley is still active. Berachah is anticipatory for them; honor that.
Section

Close and Send

Read Rev. Dr. Lewis's closing prayer for the chapter aloud, in unison. Send the group with one specific 'Take It Home' from the Participant Guide.

Section

Facilitator Notes

  • Journal after the session while the room is still warm: what did the Spirit do you did not plan?
  • Follow up with any member whose story surfaced. A single text on Monday reinforces the safety of the room.
  • Bring one carry-over story into next week's opening.
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