There are several ways to conduct ACIM study groups. One way uses the Workbook as a guide and another way is to focus by using the Textbook. You can offer tea and snacks to help make people feel more comfortable and cozy. It is common to open the circle by chanting “AUM” together. Each group can use the same opening and closing statements as follows.

The opening statement reads: “I am here only to be helpful, Make no judgment, and listen with an open heart. In essence we are all the same, and we are each the love and light of God.”

The closing statement reads: “I am responsible for what I see. I choose the feelings I experience, and I decide upon the goal I would achieve. And everything that seems to happen to me I ask for, and receive as I have asked.”

It is good to do a brief recap on the previous lesson and to ask if anyone wishes to share relevant experiences they may have had regarding that lesson during the past week.

In the Text group, each person reads a paragraph from the Lesson in rotations. There is a discussion of the Lesson after it has been read, or perhaps a discussion after each paragraph or section. Common questions asked are:

“What does this mean to you?”
“How does this message show up in your life?”
“Any stories, experiences, or insights about the various topics?”

In the Workbook group, students might decide to go through one consecutive lesson each week. Some groups have chosen to focus on one lesson and skip (or self study at home during the week) the next 6 lessons to stay in accordance with the idea of one lesson for each day of the year. Study groups usually meet for 60 -90 minutes on a weekly basis. Sometimes donations or a fixed price are asked perhaps to cover possible costs of renting a meeting space.