Other Focus: Concentrating on others needs and problems.  Analyzing their motives and behavior.  Asking questions of others.  Telling stories about what he/she did.

NEGATIVE RESULTS: Helps us avoid our own issues.  Makes us observers, not participants.   Puts a safe (and lonely) distance between ourselves and others.


• RULE 1: Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings.  Please limit your sharing to 3-5 minutes.
• RULE 2: We are here to support one another.  We will not attempt to "fix" one another.
• GOALS: Work on self.  Share personal needs, feelings, ideas and problems.  Allow time for all those who need share.

Breaking Confidentiality: Telling outsiders what was said or done in group.  Gossip disguised as a prayer request.

NEGATIVE RESULTS: Violates trust and safety.   Makes members afraid to share risky material.


• RULE 3: Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements.  What is shared in the group stays in the group.
• GOALS: Celebrate Recovery is a safe place.

Cross-Talk:  Interrupting people, asking questions, having a dialogue with one other member of the group.

• NEGATIVE RESULTS: Members fear that they won't be able to finish sharing, that their ideas are not valued, or that they won't get a chance to speak.
• RULE 4: There will be no cross-talk please.   Cross-talk is when two individuals engage in a dialogue, excluding all others.   Each person is free to express feelings without interruption.
• RULE 5: Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recovery group.
  GOALS: Listen respectfully to what others choose to share.