Exercises are drawn from a variety of religious traditions. A varied collection of suggested readings is compiled by group members and a file maintained by facilitators. Reading is assigned as homework and members are asked to keep a journal recording their thoughts about the readings and other group experiences. Throughout the sessions the importance of religious rituals is emphasized. Many theological traditions have made use of rituals to communicate meaning through imagery and metaphor.
Leaders can encourage group members to discover meaningful rituals in churches they visit.
In addition, the group can create a unique ritual which might express something of the issues explored during the course of the group. The group should then enact the ritual at some point, perhaps near the end of the group meetings. The purpose is to desensitize this experience for members for whom this is difficult and it may facilitate development of an outside network of social support in the community. The ultimate goal for the individual participants is the recovery of a sense of hope, and a more realistic balanced view of the world as a place of both danger and safety, evil and good. Facilitating patients' re-connection with the roots of their childhood faith or discovering new avenues of religious expression may provide ongoing meaning and comfort.