WHAT EXACTLY DOES A FS SPONSOR DO?
1. The key
role of a FS Sponsor is to listen with a spirit of love, acceptance, and
support as a FS Participant (Sponsee) “confesses” their story (see FS
Step 5 on the front) via inventories. This will help break the power of
shame and free the Sponsee from a number of lies they have believed about
themselves. Suggested meeting schedule listed below for first time Sponsors:
- Meeting #1 – In this meeting, you
and your Sponsee will share a story of salvation or deliverance (about 5
minutes each) in order to become more comfortable with one another. Your
Sponsee will also share why they are keeping their commitment (p. 18), what
they told God on the will & pain night (p. 67), and their Strengths
Inventory with you. (They are instructed to read off their inventory
directly from the page, left to right – no skipping or generalizing. Same for
all other inventories as well.) At the conclusion of your meeting, you will
initial each inventory page they’ve confessed in the box on the bottom,
righthand corner.
- Meeting #2 – Your Sponsee will read
off their Mirror Inventory in which they have chronicled all the ways
others have hurt them and how it has affected their lives. It is important to listen
carefully to them, realizing they may be telling you things they have not
told another human being. Let them know you are proud of them, affirm them,
and pray for them. Even though these are things done to them, many who have
lived in shame will be expecting you to think less of them. You have the
opportunity to dispel that deception with love. At the conclusion of
your meeting, you will initial each inventory page they’ve confessed in the box
on the bottom, righthand corner.
- Meeting #3 – Your Sponsee will read
off their Shield Inventory in which they list all the ways they’ve hurt
others. They are taking responsibility for their sins and may be admitting some
very shameful deeds. Again, your role is to listen carefully without
shock, disbelief, or disgust – offering a loving, non-anxious presence
through your countenance, posture, etc. This “confession” and your support will
help break the lie that they need to portray themselves as someone they are
not. At the conclusion of your meeting, you will initial each inventory page
they’ve confessed in the box on the bottom, righthand corner.
- Meeting #4 – Your Sponsee will read
off their Closet Inventory which includes the memories/deeds they were
too ashamed to write down at first. These guilt/shame associated memories are
often ones they intended to take to their graves. At the conclusion of your
meeting, you will initial each inventory page they’ve confessed in the box on
the bottom, righthand corner.
- “Confessing” the above inventories completes FS
Step 5 for your Sponsee. At the conclusion of your meeting, you will
initial each inventory page they’ve confessed in the box on the bottom,
righthand corner.
2. After
hearing their story, you will continue to pray for, support, and encourage
your Sponsee as they complete the FS Foundations journey.
- FS Step 6 requires
your Sponsee to forgive those they resent and/or who hurt them in the past,
names typically found on the Mirror Inventory. Your role is to ensure
that they don’t miss anyone and that they forgive thoroughly. (Those who’ve
hurt them owe them nothing.) Sometimes they also need to forgive those on their
Shield and/or Closet Inventories. Encourage them to forgive the most painful
ones first. As they forgive, mark their progress by initialing next to each
name.
- FS Step 7 asks your Sponsee to face
the pride, sin, selfishness, and character defects in their lives and possibly
make a few more Shield Inventory entries. Your role is to bring to your
Sponsee’s attention any patterns, recurring themes, or character defects you may
have noticed as they “confessed” their story.
- FS Steps
8 & 9 asks your Sponsee to make amends to those s/he has hurt from
their Shield and Closet Inventories. Your role is to ensure that they
make direct amends wherever possible. Please review Freedom Session’s
teaching on this topic, so your encouragement will align with what your Sponsee
is learning. (See back for viewing instructions.) You may be asked to preview
an amends letter before it is sent. If you have any questions, reach out to
your Sponsee’s Facilitator or FS Director. As they make amends, mark their
progress by initialing next to each name.
WATCH AMENDS VIDEO HERE