If an abortion-minded mother refuses to stop her car when entering or exiting the abortion clinic, she will have no way of knowing the resources that are available to her. Sidewalk counselors have knowledge and information that offer help and hope to those in need.
So what happens when the car DOES pull over? Below, you can watch a mock scenario of an interaction between two LoveLife sidewalk counselors; one of whom pretending to be a mother facing a very real crossroads in her life.
The “Flow of the Session” section can assist sidewalk counselors looking for tips while engaging with mothers (and fathers!) who are courageous enough to stop and talk. There are also some bullet points at the end, listing what the counselor did right and things she could improve upon. All interactions are as different as our styles; however, each of us should strive to stay calm, gentle and Christ-centered when speaking truth to a woman who’s considering abortion.
Flow of the Session
1. Happy friendly flagging down, bold confidence
2. Introduce self
3. Ask how far along the mother is; tell some development fact
4. Offer help generally
5. Find out main obstacles
6. Restate obstacles
7. Give some general solution ideas
8. Ask a lot of questions
9. Reframe struggle while mentioning resources
10. Talk about mentor program early
11. Tone should be gentle
12. Don’t minimize struggles but redirect to God as quickly as you can
13. Bring God into equation and help mom to verbalize when child became loved or valued by God.
14. Questions to define when “humanity” begins
15. Questions to challenge ideas of value being less if child dependent
16. “Do you believe in God? Jesus? Is He Lord?”
17. “What would God have you do?”
18. List scripture evidence for God’s perception of unborn/taking innocent life
19. Can use word like “murder” but tone is important
20. Remind those who claim Jesus what HE says
21. List main struggle, but ask if that is reason to kill
22. “God will forgive me” (should have challenged that)
23. “Does God make mistakes?” Bring her to the logical fallacy in her thoughts about what God would have her do.
24. Bring her through questions to come to the conclusion for God and for the baby
25. Examine relationship with father of baby/possible coercion
26. Examine whether someone telling her to kill the baby is someone she wants to be with
27. Ask directly if there is conflict.
28. When she admits there is, offer ultrasound, resources, ask if she’d be willing to consider other solutions.
What Counselor Did Right
1. Tone was gentle
2. Presented facts of 3 main talking points right away
3. Brought God into discussion right away
4. Asked lots of questions to guide mom coming to own conclusion
What Counselor Could Improve On
1. Never asked the mom’s name
2. Didn’t deal with “God will forgive so I can do this anyway…” issue
3. Nothing else? I mean, be real, this is ME …YOU come up with some constructive criticism!
0 Comments