HOW TO START A SMALL GROUP

 

As important as it is to read your Bible, pray, go to church, and serve others; there is no substitute for doing that in an authentic community. God never intended for you to make it alone! It is in the context of sharing life with other people around God's Word and being open and honest with our victories and our struggles that the Spirit of God brings about transformation.

 

1. WATCH THE FIRST DVD SESSION AND GET EXCITED ABOUT GOD SPEAKING TO YOU FIRST.

 

 

2. PRAY AND ASK GOD WHO YOU SHOULD INVITE/or where in your relational network you ought to focus -- i.e. family, work, neighborhood, church?

 

 

3. GET OUT A CALENDAR AND LOOK AT YOUR OWN SCHEDULE. What timeframe works best for you and the group that you're praying about inviting? Is it an early morning before work? During a lunch hour at work? During a Sunday school hour that is approved by your pastor? Is it using it for family devotions once or twice a week? Is it inviting a few couples or some single friends to make one night a week or one night every other week a time to come together and share, laugh, watch the video, and then apply it to your lives?

 

 

4. MAKE A LIST OF THE PEOPLE YOU WANT TO INVITE AND PRAY ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO DO IT. A personal invitation usually works best when people can see the passion and excitement in your eyes; but for people you know well, or if you want to simply test the waters, e-mails, personal notes, or using facebook might be a way to go.

 

Most people long to be connected and are simply waiting for someone to ask. Your fears and concerns about being rejected are normal. But imagine what can happen if a group of people get together around God's Word in a way that's relevant and applicable to the issues of daily life. God is looking for one available person to simply open their home, or open a conference room, or start a small group in their church that facilitates authentic community. You can be that person!

 

 

5. GIVE YOUR GROUP A SCHEDULE OF THE WEEKS YOU WILL MEET. Depending on the series, you will have anywhere from 6-10 sessions. Each session lasts approximately 25 minutes or less. Feel free to skip a week during holidays and remember the goal is to connect from the heart and grow spiritually. Some will want to share a meal during this time. Others will have to take turns watching some children or pulling a few dollars together to hire a babysitter; but whatever you have to do get started -- it will be worth it!