SMALL GROUP LEADER MANUAL

Transcription

1 SMALL GROUP LEADER MANUAL

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3 Our Purpose The reason for Small Groups is to empower the people of this church to Experience Community and Grow Spiritually. Simply put, Small Groups are friends you grow, laugh, serve, and connect with. They re the people you let your guard down with so that together you can Share Life, God, and Prayer. Hebrews10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Why Small Groups pg. 1 Why we believe in Small Groups Group Leader Role Description pg. 2 What is expected of a Small Group Leader Small Group Core Values pg. 3 What we value in Small Groups Small Group Keys To Success pg. 5 How to a have a great Small Group F.A.Q. s pg. 8 Questions about Small Group

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5 Why Small Groups Small Groups play an important role in fulfilling the Great Commission (Matt. 28). Every Small Group is formed around the passions and skills of the people of the church. It is our goal to equip you for leadership based out of the passion God has placed inside of you. Are you passionate about leading a group of people around a shared interest or study? Small Groups are an intentional effort to create opportunity for believers and non-believers to Experience Community and Grow Spiritually. When a group meets they spend time Sharing Life, God, and Prayer. *They ve Been Done Before We read of accounts in the Bible of different types of small groups existing in the early church (Acts 2:46, 12:12, 20:2). *We Are To Encourage One Another Small groups provide opportunity for Christians to minister to one another (Gal. 6:2; Col. 3:16; Heb. 3:13, 10:24-25; James 5:16; I Peter 4:8-9). *They Build Relationship Our hope is that every member of the church will participate in a Small Group and take advantage of the opportunity to build Christian friendship, grow in their walk, and use their gifts.

6 Group Leader Role Description Prerequisites: 1. An Active Participant of the church. 2. Receive Leadership Training 3. Decide, coordinate, and communicate what type of group you will lead with the leadership of the church. Responsibilities: 1. Pray regularly for everyone in your group. 2. Ensure the care of your group members by being actively involved in relationship with them. 3. Provide a supportive atmosphere in which each group member is able to contribute. 4. Identify and strengthen co-leaders. 5. Maintain unity by representing the philosophy of ministry and theology of the church. 6. Invite and welcome new people into your group and encourage group members to invite people who are inside and outside of the church. 7. Follow-up on all group members throughout the week. 8. Attend scheduled church or Small Group leadership meetings. Small Group Core Values

7 *Every Small Group Leader must hold the following principles in the highest regard: 1. EVERY PERSON IS IMPORTANT. Leaders must make every effort to know the members of their group and let them know you appreciate their participation. We believe that everyone should receive ministry when needed. 2. SMALL GROUPS ARE A PRIORITY. As a leader you understand the importance of your group and are committed to its success. Discipleship can happen through committed relationships found in community. 3. EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IS BASED ON A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND PEOPLE. Leaders should minister from a deep reservoir of the Holy Spirit that is found only in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe that God designed each of us for relationship with Him and others. Leadership in the church is based upon success in marriage and success with family. 4. SMALL GROUP LEADERS SHOULD FOCUS ON MULTIPLICATION. The primary responsibilities of small group leaders are to mentor, train and release other small group leaders. We believe that Jesus modeled an example to release others to use their God-given talents and abilities. 5. AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY IS POSSIBLE. (Hebrews 10:24 25)

8 We believe that people in our culture should live and share their lives with others. We believe our time should be prioritized to include significant relationships with other families and friends. 6. SMALL GROUPS ARE A NET FOR THE HARVEST. (John 13:35) Unbelievers are simply looking for authentic believers who truly live for the Jesus they claim to know. We believe if we intentionally prepare new City Groups, God will send us the lost.

9 Small Group Keys to Success *There are several key essentials to creating a dynamic and optimal group environment for God to work in. Stay Connected This key reminds us to be spiritually whole. In John 15, Jesus describes how important it is for a branch to stay connected to the vine so that it can bear fruit. When we stay connected to Jesus we welcome Him to work in and through us. Are you rooted in your relationship with Jesus, understanding that apart from Him you can do nothing? Celebrate Victories This key reminds us to focus on the reason for the group. Value the change God brings about in people, it s important to take time to celebrate success within your group. How do/will you celebrate the growth that occurs in each other?

10 Start Well This key prepares us for success. Have a plan for the meeting. Always prepare, even if you think you have it down. Start the meeting on time. State the purpose for the group by casting vision and allowing others to share in it. How can you prepare now so that your group is off to a great start? Promote Participation This key focuses on how to involve the group members. Shared participation (appointing greeters, host the meeting, prepare snacks, lead a prayer, ask for input, etc.) creates ownership within the group. Model openness and honesty. Be aware of those who seem to stand alone. Use icebreakers. How will you involve other group members to help support the group? Provide Care This key focuses on how to provide care in small and big ways. People do not care what you know until they know that you care. Pray for those in your group and your time together. Don t rebuke people for low attendance. Don t rush past an opportunity to minister to a group member. Follow up with your group members each week. Give them a phone call, send a text or , etc. Ask for and receive feedback. Do you make it a priority to be supportive and caring towards each other?

11 Encourage Relationship This key is focused on how and why we build community. Encourage connection outside of the regular group meetings. By doing this you demonstrate the importance of relationships. How are you and your group members connecting outside of group meetings? Replace Yourself This key challenges us to train and prepare others for leadership opportunities. Share responsibility, pass on knowledge, and teach skills in order to prepare others to be leaders. How are you being intentional by investing in other potential leaders within your group? End Well Lead in such a way that people leave anticipating the next meeting. Honor peoples schedule and time. Meetings should last around an hour. Give people the opportunity to leave at the end. Work together with the group members to create a picture of a successful finish. How are you planning to successfully meet set goals within your group?

12 F.A.Q. s REQUIREMENTS All Small Group leaders must be active participants of the church and: Be a believer in Jesus Christ Attend Leadership & Training Meetings CHILDCARE Will childcare be available during the group? Childcare will be dependent upon the type of group you decide to lead. Some groups may welcome children, others may not. It is completely up to you. CITY GROUP SCHEDULE How often should a group meet? A group should try to meet once a week for one hour or so. As a group leader your minimum commitment is to lead your Small Group for eight weeks but your group is encouraged to continue! If your group has continued for a year or two we will talk about the possibility of ending the cycle or multiplying the group. What if I, as a Group Leader, will be unavailable during a small group meeting time? Schedule a different meeting time for that week or if there is someone else in the group who meets the Group Leader Requirements ask them to fill in as the facilitator. WHERE CAN A GROUP MEET? In a home At a restaurant, coffee shop, etc. In a business or office The possibilities are endless ADVERTISING

13 How are groups promoted? A Small Group Leader should assume total responsibility for the success of their group. We will provide additional support by promoting Small Groups as a whole through various means of communication. Are Group Leaders assigned to an existing group or does the church fill the group with people? Those who attend the church will have opportunity to join a group that interests them. The Group Leaders should also assume responsibility in building their group by inviting others to be a part. How do leaders get people to come to their group? Personal invitation: neighbors, friends, and people at church. If a person contacts the church office looking for a group they will be referred to groups throughout the tri-state. You can also use social media, , postcards, etc. to let those connected to you that you are leading a group and would like for them to be a part. *For additional questions please call the church office or .

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