Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the CDs formatted the way they are?

• The CDs are meant to be an accompaniment to the singing done in your group. Not all groups are able to have live piano or guitar accompaniment at every meeting; this is one way in which the CDs can help.
• The recordings do not include vocals. This is because we wanted to ensure that it is the voices of our friends that are highlighted, not the voices of professional vocalists.
• The tempo may be slower than what you’re accustomed to. The goal was to make it easier to sing along.
• The featured songs are shorter than the songs in the original Bible study material were. This change was mde based on feedback received from groups.
• Words and music for each unit are found in the back of the leader/mentor guide.
• If the song contains only one verse, the music is repeated twice so that you may sing through the song two times.
• If the song contains more than one verse, the music is played for each verse listed in the leader/mentor guide.
• The CD for The Spirit, Our Helper also includes sound effects to be used during one session!
• The format of the CD is probably not ideal for all groups—each group is unique! But our overarching goal was to make them as useful as possible for as many groups as possible.

Why are the study materials set up the way they are?

As we design our materials, we keep a number of principles in mind, including:

• The materials are aimed to meet the needs of friends with mid-level abilities; they also include options for use with people with a wide range of ability levels. We expect mentors to adapt up or down as needed.
• Repeating the story using different methods helps friends remember it. Group dramas, storytellers, and lesson reviews all reinforce themes, as does using the same visuals in both the story and the take home papers.
• Visuals that are clear, without busy backgrounds, and that seek to be faithful to the Biblical context, help to avoid confusion.
• Original art allows us the flexibility we need to depict stories clearly, as well as to include people with a variety of disabilities, ages, and ethnicities. This would be difficult to do with stock photos or numerous photo shoots.
• Music is provided as a guide. We don't expect that you will use all the songs, and we’re sure you’ll want to add songs your group particularly likes.
  Songs are chosen for their simplicity as well as for their fit with lesson themes.
• Steps 5 &6 are for mentors, to guide them through how best to use the take home papers with their friends. That is why we encourage mentors to spend 10 minutes ahead of time reading through the instructions.
• Religious signing is used to enhance communication between friends and mentors.

For what age level is Friendship material written?

We encourage churches to include children who have cognitive impairments in regular Sunday school sessions. A few adjustments may have to be made, but generally inclusion of children with cognitive impairments in the regular Sunday school class works very well. The book Helping Kids Include Kids with Disabilities is an excellent resource to help teachers make their classrooms more inclusive.

Realistically, inclusion often begins to fall apart around the time of adolescence, when social situations begin to vary dramatically. This is where Friendship becomes important. We have two age levels of materials – Youth (for friends up to age 20) and Adult (for friends age 20 and above).

What does it take to start a Friendship program?

Generally, you will need to

• Get organized (logistics, support of church or organization, etc.)
• Choose materials (we recommend starting with the Bible studies)
• Define volunteer roles (degree NOT required!)
• Recruit friends and mentors
• Train mentors
• Tend to details
• Build community (connect friends in your program to the broader church community)

How can I learn more about the Friendship program?

Again, don’t hesitate to be in touch with us. We are pleased to answer any questions you have. You may also want to check out our Friendship Program Guide.

The program guide is an indispensable handbook, providing specific information about materials and tips for how to use them. It includes general information about how to start and organize a Friendship group, how to involve the congregation in the program, and how to include friends who have cognitive impairments in the life of the church.

How can I recruit and train mentors?

What Friendship Mentors Need to Know is an excellent free resource that explains the role of the Friendship mentor and includes tips for sharing God’s love with people who have cognitive impairments. Download it from the Getting Started section.

Can Friendship materials be used with people with autism?

Yes, in fact many Friendship groups include people with autism. One mother told us that her son, who has autism, didn’t learn to pray until he was in a Friendship group, where the repetition of prayers was a great help to him. Many people with autism can be included in regular Friendship groups. Of course, all members of Friendship groups must be treated as individuals, and the one-on-one mentoring time provides a good opportunity to tailor your approach to your friend’s specific needs.