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Hope Group Field Guide
Hope Group Field Guide
Hope Group Field Guide 1 August 2013 Dear Hope Group Leader, Welcome to your new adventure in leadership! We’re delighted that you have committed to become a Hope Group Leader at Hope in the City. We pray that one year from now, you will look back on this time as one of the most life-transforming experiences in which you’ve participated. As our front-line shepherds in the Body, you will play a make a big impact in our church. We’ve prepared this field guide to assist you in getting your group started. In it you will find:
1. The Hope in the City Discipleship Process 2. The 2-4-2 Hope Group Format 3. 2-4-2 Discussion Prep 4. Core Groups 5. Starting a Hope Group Well 6. Children’s Resources 7. Worship in the Hope Group 8. Where’s Your Place of Service in the Body? (Opportunities for HG members) 9. Hope Group Leader one sheet 10. Core Group Leader one sheet 11. Hope Group Team Leader one sheet 12. Making the Most of Leader Meetings 13. Hope Group Leader Application (for future leaders from your group)
If you have any further questions, please contact your Hope Group Team Leader. As a help in your hope group planning, here are dates for the weeks that are hope group format and those that are core group. The hope group/core group will fall on the week following the Sunday listed. 9/8 HG 10/13 HG 11/10 CG 12/8 CG 9/15 HG 10/20 CG 11/17 HG 9/22 CG 10/27 Outreach 11/24 CG 9/29 HG 11/3 HG 12/1 HG 10/6 CG Hope Group Seasons: September 8 – December 14, January 12 – May 17, and June 1 – July 31 (flexible plans for summer groups) May the Lord bless you and fill you with His power and grace as you step out in leadership this year! Blessings, Britt Tucker on behalf of the Pastoral Team
Hope in the City Discipleship Process
Mature disciples at Hope in the City KNOW God intimately, GROW in Christ, SERVE the Body and SOW the gospel into the lives of others.
KNOW God Intimately Without a foundation of intimacy with God, none of us can truly experience the life-transformation that only Jesus brings. Our Sunday morning programs focus on experiencing God more deeply. Whether through the Sunday Morning Worship Experience or the Discipleship School, Sundays are an opportunity to experience greater freedom and understanding in your walk with God.
GROW in Christ Nobody lives in a vacuum. We grow when we have opportunity to put into practice the things we learn through God’s Word. At Hope in the City, the vehicle for deep growth in Christ is the Hope Group. Hope Groups are not so much meetings as they are smaller communities in which you can know others and be known. In Hope Group, real people encounter God’s Word together and share real life together, using their gifts to care for one another.
Serve the Body Our spiritual walk will stagnate if we do not find an outlet to serve. There are many opportunities for service at Hope in the City. Examples include: serving during the Sunday Morning Service, teaching a discipleship school class, serving in one of the student ministries or children’s programs, leading a hope group, etc.
Sow the Gospel Each of us is called to make disciples. This portion of our discipleship process seeks to help individuals find the place of influence that God has already prepared for them. In this phase, we discover the answer to the question, “Where’s my place of mission in life?” The Hope in the City Discipleship Process is cumulative and organic. It’s cumulative in that we never “grow out” of a part of the process. We are always seeking to KNOW, GROW, SERVE and SOW in all areas of life. A tree represents the process because it symbolizes the organic nature of Christian growth. After being planted in our relationship with God, we grow through community, branch out in service to others and then sow seeds that will reap new life in the lives of others. Even young trees can bear fruit and mature trees weather the storms while still bearing fruit. One doesn’t “arrive” at mature disciple status. We are constantly growing and bearing fruit in the lives of others. Our process is designed to help people grow and bear fruit that will last. Through each of these phases of growth for the believer, we stress the following discipleship themes: Relating with God, the Bible, Life in the Spirit, Character, Stewardship, and Personal Witness.
2 – 4 – 2 Hope Group Format
Purpose of Hope Groups: To grow in obedience to Christ through life-giving, multiplying communities.
When the Hope Group meets for hope group night (1st & 3rd weeks of the month), it follows a simple structure that we call the 2 – 4 – 2 Format (three sections with 2, 4 and 2 parts in each section respectively).
Connect: The Goal of the first 2 parts of HG is to connect 1) with each other and 2) connect with God.
FELLOWSHIP: Some way to connect with each other; could just be a snack time at the beginning of group where people can share with each other what's going on.
WORSHIP: Connect with God; it could be music, prayer, reading the Bible in a worshipful way or any other activity that helps people's hearts connect with God.
Commit: The next 4 parts should help people to commit to what God is calling them to:
ACCOUNTABILITY: How did it go obeying the stuff we read last time? (Should not be a yes or no question).
VISION: Briefly explain why we are doing what we are doing. Should encourage people to engage in what the group is doing that night.
BIBLE: A story from the Bible or a brief passage. Read the passage a few times with different translations. Then ask 1) What does that say about God's character? 2) What is convicting about the passage?
GOAL SETTING: It is always the last question of the Bible discussion: 3) What are you going to do to obey what God is telling you through this passage? In this section people should have a clear understanding of what they are going to do as a result of what’s convicting from the passage (ex. “Pray for Mongolia every day this week” as opposed to “pray more”). To facilitate everyone sharing and applying the Scripture, you may want to break up into core groups to set goals and do the practice portion of the Hope Group.
Commission: In the final 2 parts, send people out to follow Jesus this week in their lives.
PRACTICE: “Put it into practice.” The goal is for people to do something as opposed to merely talk about it. This part of the meeting, if possible, should build people's confidence for obeying God.
PRAYER: Specifically a commissioning prayer (though any pastoral prayer is always great as well). Pray for people's goals and for faith to believe God to move through them.
2-4-2 Format Discussion Prep Helps
Here are some questions formed by Hope Group Leaders to help with our Bible discussions and goal setting times. At each hope group, we’ll continue to just ask three questions to help the group process the passage and personalize it, with the end goal being a tangible application to obey in everyday life. For those who need a fresh way of re-wording the three questions, we’ve listed alternatives in a table below. When planning a discussion time, simply choose one question from each column and use them to lead your group to discovery during your hope group times together.
What does this say about God’s character?
What is convicting about the passage?
What are you going to do to obey what God is telling you through this passage?
Other ways to ask about the bible passage:
What’s new to you about this
passage? How do you see God in this
passage? Does this sound like God to you? Is there anything new that you’ve
learned about God’s character from this passage?
What does this passage teach about how God relates to us?
How do you know God better after reading this passage?
Other ways to help people share how the passage is convicting them:
Which part of this passage
challenges you the most? How does this passage make you
feel? What stands out to you? Does this passage make you want
to change anything? Is there an area in your life that is
inconsistent with the truth in this passage?
Does this passage challenge any of your beliefs?
What is hitting your heart hard about this passage?
Other ways to help people set goals based on the passage for the
following week: What does this mean for me in my
everyday world this week? How can you/we walk this out this
week? What is a specific way to respond
this week?
Follow Up Questions (can be used in any of the 3 categories above): • Is there anything in this passage confusing to you? • Are there examples of how you’ve experienced this? (To any of the questions) • What keeps you from believing/experiencing that? (To any of the questions)
As a reminder of the “why” behind the Bible & goal setting portions of the meeting, here’s an excerpt from the HGL Field Guide: From the Hope Group Leaders Field Guide:
BIBLE: A story from the Bible or a brief passage. Read the passage a few times with different translations, then ask: 1) What does that say about God's character? 2) What is convicting about the passage?
GOAL SETTING: It is always the last question of the Bible discussion: 3) What are you going to do to obey what God is telling you through this passage? In this section people should have a clear understanding of what they are going to do as a result of what’s convicting from the passage (ex. “Pray for Mongolia every day this week” as opposed to “pray more”). To facilitate everyone sharing and applying the Scripture, you may want to break up into Core Groups to set goals and do the practice portion of the Hope Group.
Core groups Purpose of Core Groups To pursue freedom and growth in Christ through intimate, intentional discipleship communities.
What is a Core Group? A core group is a group of no more than four individuals from the same hope group who meet together for intentional discipleship around life’s core issues. In this confidential, same-gender, safe environment, people can share their deep longings, struggles and dreams and receive prayer and encouragement from others.
When do they Meet? On the 2nd and 4th week of the month, the hope group meets in its core groups. This can be during the normal hope group time or at a different time during that week. Not all core groups have to meet at the same time. If there are 12 people in your hope group, you might have 4 different core groups meeting at different times during that week but each going through the core group meeting.
What Happens in Core Group? At each core group meeting, the group:
1. Opens in prayer. 2. Answers the Core Questions (goes through all, focuses where the Spirit directs). 3. Ends in prayer.
What are the core questions? The following questions are to be answered at each meeting. These address core issues that need our attention as growing believers in Christ and provide an avenue to share openly about ways God is growing us to become all we’re created to be. They are organized around the KNOW, GROW, SERVE, SOW Discipleship Process.
1. In what ways have you been connecting with the Lord and how have you been responding? (KNOW) 2. What spiritual victories can we celebrate together? (GROW) 3. What weights have “slowed you down” and/or what sins have “tripped you up” in the race God has set before
you? (GROW) 4. How are you using your gifts and resources (time, finances, skills, spiritual gifts, etc.) to serve our HITC
family, and how is it going? (SERVE) 5. How have your words and actions proclaimed Jesus to those not yet in relationship with Him? (SOW) Have you been completely honest with us?
Who Leads Core Group? Core Group Leaders are chosen by the Hope Group Leader (with the Team Leader’s counsel). It is the Core Group Leader’s responsibility to invest in the core group members, to help them find their place of service and place of mission, and to lead the core group meeting. (See the Core Group Leader sheet for specific requirements, etc.)
Beginning a Core Group Due to the confidential nature of the core group, it is important to start off by having group members share their stories. The CGL should go first to set the tone for honest sharing in the group. Core groups will start the 2nd week of the hope group to set the rhythm early. It will help people feel known early and experience community sooner.
Does this count? Many of us will be tempted to try and blend in our past preferred ways of meeting in same gender accountability groups and “call it a core group.” The challenge for all of us is to not add anything to the simple discipleship form we’re attempting. When a core group meets, it follows the above structure. Within this simple structure, we can ask follow up questions, take time to minister to a person before moving on to the next question, etc. How people answer the questions will give insight into areas we can contend for them. That is why we stick to the format and questions. Anything else changes the group and creates a different meeting.
Confidentiality A core group is a safe place to share vulnerably our lives and struggles. What is shared in core group stays in core groups. Each group member agrees up front to hold what’s shared in group in strict confidence. Group members must get permission from someone to share a need, etc. outside the group.
What if someone is about to Hurt Themself or Another? In the rare case where what is shared is potentially life-threatening to a member or another individual, this information must be shared with a HGL or TL as we have legal obligations. A CGL can communicate with that person that he/she will need to share with a person in authority. It is good to involve the person who shared by empowering them to join you in the asking for help. Let them know exactly how you plan to communicate and to whom. If possible, let them be there. Follow up with them quickly after you have shared to let them know the plan of action.
Starting a Hope Group Well
Intentional Games/Activities During Group Time Choose an activity that helps people discover one another. Adapt it to the time slot you have and then enjoy it together as a group. Here are a few examples:
1. Skittles Game. Give everyone a mini-package of Skittles (or M&Ms). Have each person pull out one color and set it aside. They can eat the others while you all share. Then have questions assigned for each color and take turns answering accordingly. A good question source is the Chat Packs for families.
2. Guess Who ______? Have members write down on an index card things they’ve done or places they’ve been, etc. and pass it to a reader. The reader reads it aloud and everyone guesses who it is. Have the person share more about it when identified.
3. Highs/Lows Hand out a sheet of paper. Have each person create an X and Y graph ( L ). On the X axis number -5 up to +5 (including 0). On the Y axis, label in increments of 5 up to their age. Then have them plot 3 high points and 3 low points that have happened to them in their lives. Let them share which ones their comfortable sharing with the group. If they’re comfortable with it, have people ask any clarification questions.
4. What’s in Your Wallet? Have people choose 3 items from their wallet or purse (or on their person) that tell us something about their personality. Then have them share their items with the group.
5. Heroes. Have people name individuals they’ve admired in life and why. 6. Sign up for a Sunday morning Discipleship School Class as a group. This could give you the
chance to grow and process what you’re learning as a group.
Hang Out Together If possible, go out together after one of the first few meetings or go out to lunch together after church one Sunday. This extra down time together can help you get to know each other in a less structured environment. Try to mix up who sits with whom so that you can get to know different persons.
Create a Contact List/Phone Tree One way that the group can care well for each other is by making a group e-mail list/phone tree so that you can contact each other for prayer requests, etc. A phone tree is where the leader calls the first person on the list, who then calls the next person on the list. If the next person is not there, leave a message and contact the following person on the list, until you make live contact.
Hope Groups are the foundation of life at Hope in the City. Because they are primary vehicle for GROWTH in Christ and the true place to know and be known by others, it matters that we take time to start off a new group well.
While working through the structure, you may want to take some extra time in the first couple of meetings for the fellowship portion of the meeting. Here are
some ways you can help facilitate knowing each other better as you begin.
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN
As we learn to love and serve one another in community we cannot forget a valuable resource and opportunity – our children! Each HG will choose the level of involvement by its children based on their ages, when and where you meet. Our exhortation for you as a group is to NOT ignore children but to use at least some of the time in your group to engage them in fellowship, worship, sharing
their own testimonies and lives with both adults and one another. This is how we pass along our heritage and teach the next generation of lovers of God.
Think:
How does being shunted off to a back room to watch a movie or to play unsupervised train, encourage and bless our children? What is my child’s ‘take’
of HG if they have no real participation? If there is no expectation for them to be learning to hear and respond to the Lord in their school or friend group. Or
when the group does not have a chance to cheer when we hear how He is at work in their lives? How could I make HG for children some of the most influential minutes of their week?
Adding participation of children does not mean that adults do not need time to talk about grown up things out of ear shot! Rather, thoughtful, planned inclusion of children blesses everyone and sends the message that “who you are and what you think is valuable’ to each child.
Ideas:
Include children in greeting, worship, testimonies each week. Depending on the ages and needs of children have a separate away-from-the-grown-ups time where the children have some purposeful interaction with one another and an adult.
Resources:
Our Sunday morning curriculum for all ages of children has a mid-week family handout which would be wonderful to use as a HG guide for children. This resource can be found on the HITC website referenced by date and would be an additional reinforcement of what they learned the week before and preparation for what they will be learning the next Sunday. Tru Blessing ages 1& 2, Tru Wonder ages 3-5, Tru Story grades 1-5.
Our children’s pastor, Trudy Landis, is available to talk through ideas and provide resources for your particular group. Contact her for HG chat! [email protected]
A GUIDE TO HOPE GROUP WORSHIP LEADING
ME, A WORSHIP LEADER? Many think that in order to be a worship leader, one has to be a musician. This is far from the truth. Mu - sic is a wonderful medium for corporate worship, but there are many other ways to do it. That being said, anyone who loves God and people can lead worship. Regardless of the medium you use, this guide should help you lead effectively in any context.
THE GOAL. Simply put, our goal as worship leaders is that worship would happen. (Pretty simple, right?) Therefore, it’s important that we understand what worship is exactly. Based on what God says about worship in His word, it can all be boiled down to any loving and honoring response to God. Therefore, our goal as worship leaders is that people would express love and honor towards God in response to who He is and what He’s done.
THE ROLE. It’s equally important for us to understand our role as worship leaders. This enables us to lead in con f idence and rest. It’s critical that we understand that it is not our responsibility to make worship happen. We can’t make people worship. However, we can make environments that are conducive to worship. Therefore, our role as worship leaders is to create an environment that makes it easy for others to express their love and honor for God and to God.
2 ESSENTIALS FOR THE “WORSHIP ENVIRONMENT”:
1. Space to Remember. Since worship is a response to who God is and what He’s done, the truth of
God’s character is the fuel for worship. Therefore it is necessary that we create space for people to re flect on God’s character. This can be done through remembering who He is and what He’s done on our behalf as revealed in His Word or in our own personal stories (even up to the very day!). Worship must include space to remember and acknowledge the truth of who God is.
2. Space to Surrender. God desires sacri fice. Under the Old Covenant sacri f ice was used to pay for sin as well
as express love and honor to God. Thankfully Jesus offered Himself as the suf f icient and eternal sacrif ice for our sin. However, sacri f ice is still our mode of expressing our love and reverence to God. The only difference is that we no longer offer animals as our sacri f ice (thankfully!) because now we are the sacri fice (Romans 12:2). We offer ourselves through praise, prayer, submission, bowing and countless other ways. Worship must include space to re-surrender and re-offer our lives and hearts to God.
YOUR APPROACH. There are many forms/mediums/approaches, we can use to ful f ill our role and accomplish our goal as worship leaders. We can use music, prayer, journaling, silence, paint, scripture reading, dance and many other media (for more ideas email [email protected] for the “Alternative Forms of Worship Leading” document). The form is just the container. Whatever form you use, make sure it is accessible to everyone and easy for them to engage with (including guests). For example, if singing, provide lyric sheets!
FINAL WORD. Don’t forget to pray, pray, and pray for those you’re leading! Now go forth and use the gifts God has given you to create environments where people can’t help but worship Him!
WHERE’S YOUR PLACE OF SERVICE IN THE BODY?
Top service needs are Underlined & Bold
□ Sunday Of Service o Bakers o Coffee Shop o Communion o Connection Center o Counters o Discipleship -School
Teachers o Greeters o Parking o Pastoral Tech Assistant o Sound Crew o Ushers o Visual Tech Crew o Worship Team
□ Prayer Ministry o Unceasing Prayer o Healing Team o Sunday Morning Prayer
Team o Prayer Shields o Hope Group Prayer
Coordinators
□ Hope 242 ( College) o Resource Room o Supply Organizer
□ Children’s Church o Preschool Leaders o Elementary Leaders o Sunday Buddies o Resource Room o Supply Organizer
□ General Administration o Office o Janitorial o Geek Squad
□ Hope For the Nations o Phase II Overseers o Home Assignment
Helpers o Re-entry Help
Core Group leaders, these are the areas where you can help each group member find his or her place of service and place of sowing. As people show interest in serving, have them contact the Volunteer coordinator.
Hope Group Leaders, we are asking you to own a Sunday of serving each semester. We ask that your groups primarily serve in the roles of greeters and ushers but also be flexible to fill in vacant slots as needed.
Any questions, please contact our Visitor and Volunteer Coordinator, Lesa Higginbotham at 512.892.4673 ext 116 or [email protected].
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Hope Group Team Leader
The primary function of this role is to invest in Hope Group Leaders. Healthy leaders make healthy groups. By focusing on making disciples, life giving groups will be formed that spread the Good News. HGTLs oversee the discipleship process as it applies to Hope Groups: mature disciples at Hope in the City…GROW in Christ in the context of real, Christian community.
• Provide accountability and encouragement for HGLs
• Pray with and for the leaders under your care • Help them understand their group’s dynamics
and how to grow the group to its next level • Aid in the Hope Group multiplication process • Facilitate Leadership development in your
team • Help groups pastor crises • Ensure that personal discipleship is
happening at every level in your groups • Assist with any HG training
Time Commitment
• Cover a maximum of 4 Hope groups
• Lead in teams consisting of at least 1 man and 1 woman
• 2 year commitment • Partner in Hope • Visit each HG once/season • Meet with HG leaders at least 1x/ month (can be in groups) • Attend ZG 2x/month • Faithfully attend Hope in the City
Sunday mornings
(Example of how to fulfill the requirements in one month)
Visit a HG (meet with leaders before or after)
Zone Group Meeting Zone Group Meeting is both Hope Group for team leaders and a time for vision, strategy and planning for the Zone.
Meet with HG leaders (individually or in a group; ex. having lunch together after church one Sunday)
Other Yearly Events HG Team Leader Orientation HG Leader Trainings 4 Sunday mornings in August Spring Training 4 hours one Saturday in January HITC End of Year Celebration Evening in April
Zone Group Meeting
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CORE Group Leader
The primary function of this role is to invest in Core Group members. Healthy members make healthy groups. By focusing on making disciples, life giving groups will be formed that spread the Good News. CGLs are the face of discipleship in their Hope group. They create the environment in which people thrive in their calling in Christ.
• Lead group members to growth in Christ
through purposeful discipleship • Help each group member find his or her
place of service and place of sowing • Lead the Core Group meetings (see
below) • Assist HG leader in providing “first response” for group members in crisis
• Model an attitude of welcoming others into the HG/CG community
• Minimum 1 season commitment
• Partner in Hope • Connect with HG leader at least 1x/month (may be in groups) • Faithfully attend Hope in the
City Sunday mornings • Attend January training
Since we last met… KNOW GOD INTIMATELY GROW IN CHRIST1. In what ways have you been
connecting with the Lord and how have you been responding? John 15:5
2. What spiritual victories can we celebrate together? 2 Corinthians 3:18 3. What weights have “slowed you down” and/or what sins have “tripped you up” in the race God has set before you? Hebrews 12:1
SERVE THE BODY SOW THE GOSPEL 4. How are you using your gifts and resources (time, finances, skills, spiritual gifts, etc.) to serve our HITC family, and how is it going? 1 Peter 4:10-11
5. How have your words and actions proclaimed Jesus to those not yet in relationship with Him? Matthew 5:16
Have you been completely honest with us?
Time Commitment(example of how to fulfill the requirements in one month)
HG Leader Trainings 4 Sunday mornings in AugustSpring Training 4 hours one day in JanuaryHITC End of Year Celebration Evening in April
Other Yearly Events
Hope Group LeaderThe primary function of this role is to invest in Hope Group members. Healthy members make healthy groups. By focusing on making disciples, life giving groups will be formed that spread the Good News. HGLs direct the discipleship process as it applies to their Hope Group: mature disciples at Hope in the City…GROW in Christ in the context of real, Christian community. Pu
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• Select, disciple and train Core Group Leaders• Lead group members to growth in Christ through purposeful
discipleship• Lead the Hope Group meeting by delegating responsibilities
(fellowship, worship, vision, accountability, discussion, goal-setting, practice and prayer)
• Allow group members to develop and use their unique gifts by delegating responsibilities
• Direct “first response” for group members in crisis; as things arise be sure to communicate with HG Team Leader for support and counsel
• Identify future Hope Group leaders• If you have 4 or more Core Groups meet with your Team Leader and
develop a multiplication plan• Lead your group in reaching out to visitors on Sunday mornings as
well as inviting others into your Hope group community• Ensure that children and youth are active participants (in age-
appropriate ways)• Lead your group in at least one outreach per season
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• Lead in teams consisting of at least 1 man and 1 woman
• 3 season commitment• Partner in Hope• Connect intentionally with
your Core Group leaders at least 1x/month (may be in groups)
• Meet with HG team leader at least 1x/month (may be in groups)
• Faithfully attend Hope in the City Sunday mornings
• Serve as a Hope Group on Sunday morning at least once per season
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Week 1HG MeetingEntire group meets together for worship and Bible-based discussion
Core Group MeetingGroup meets all together and then breaks into smaller (4 or less), same gender groups for deeper discipleship and accountability
Week 2
HG MeetingMeet with Team Leader (either around HG or at another time)
Week 3
Core Group MeetingMeet with Core group leaders (either around HG or at another time)
Week 4
Making the Most of Leader Meetings The purpose of these questions is to help you as leaders provide a listening ear, encouragement and exhortation for your Hope Group leaders/co-leaders and Core Group Leaders. As you listen to people share, look for opportunities to affirm and celebrate “wins” with them. As far as their challenges go, do your best to help them feel listened to and, as much as possible, to help THEM come up with the best solutions. Our goal is to help those we invest in become all that the Lord has created them to be. PERSONAL QUESTIONS: 1. What are some areas of encouragement in your life right now?
2. What are some areas of challenge in your life right now?
3. How are the key relationships in your life? (God, marriage, children, work, etc.)
4. Who are you sharing the gospel with and how’s it going?
QUESTIONS FOR HOPE GROUP LEADERS: 5. What do you feel has been going well in HG?
6. What are some challenges, actual or potential, you are experiencing in HG?
7. Of the 8 HG elements (Fellowship, Worship, Accountability, Vision, Scripture, Goal Setting, Practice and Prayer) which ones are going well and which ones have been challenges?
8. Who in the HG do you see as potential HG leaders in the future when your group multiplies and how are you preparing them?
9. How are members contributing to the facilitation of the HG? (i.e. snacks, children’s program, worship, Scripture, etc...)
QUESTIONS FOR CORE GROUP LEADERS: 10. What are highlights and/or challenges in Core Group currently?
11. How are you helping your CG understand and carry out the vision of the CGs? (The purpose of Core Group is to pursue freedom and growth in Christ through intimate, intentional discipleship communities.)
12. How are you creating an environment where people can speak the truth in love to one another, share dreams, confess sin, receive prayer, contend for each other’s growth in Christ, and pray for the lost? 1 Thess. 5:14--“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
13. How is it going with leading the CG meeting? (4 or less people; prayall core questionspray) We need to help leaders understand the balance of depth and breadth in regards to CGs. It’s entirely appropriate to stop and minister on the spot as we’re going through the questions (depth). Although we might “camp out” on one question, it’s important that all the areas get addressed; therefore, we make sure we go through all the questions (breadth). To do this within a reasonable time, it’s essential we keep the group size to 4 or less.
14. How are you regularly connecting with CG members (individually or in a group) to see how they are doing?
WRAPPING UP: Encourage Them…call out the things the Lord is shaping in their character and through
them in their leadership. Pray together…Make it a point to always pray together. Pray for the HG/CG and for
them personally.
