Group Leader Questions and Next Steps

If you have a willing heart and a few open seats in your living room, you’re fully equipped to lead a group. Our streamed video curriculum from RightNow Media is designed to be “plug and play,” ensuring that anyone, regardless of experience level, can effectively lead a successful group.

The group session will typically run for 1 ½ to 2 hours. The length of the video or reading material, depending on the study you choose, may vary, typically ranging from 15 to 20 minutes. Following the video or reading, the remainder of the evening will be dedicated to engaging in group discussions that delve deeper into the subject matter, along with a time for prayer and fostering connections within the group.

Leaders are equipped with a variety of resources to facilitate their group studies. At times, leaders are encouraged to align their group curriculum with our ongoing sermon series. For the remaining periods, leaders have the option to utilize RightNow Media, a platform akin to Netflix for Bible studies, or they can delve into weekly discussion questions designed to further explore the themes of our sermons.

Your commitment entails leading for at least one semester, typically spanning from January to May and/or August to November. However, many of our groups continue beyond this timeframe, operating year after year. While we hope some groups will continue throughout the year, we understand if this doesn’t align with your plans. In such cases, we kindly request that you assist your group in selecting a new leader and finding a new meeting location.

At the conclusion of each semester, leaders have the option to continue leading the group or designate a new leader to take over. If you opt to discontinue the group, please inform the Groups Team prior to your final meeting. Your cooperation ensures a smooth transition and supports the ongoing success of our group ministry.

While many groups opt for a summer hiatus, this isn’t mandatory and is entirely at the discretion of each group. Some may prefer meeting bi-weekly or organizing occasional summer BBQs, while others continue with their regular schedule. Whatever your group decides, we kindly request that you notify the Groups Team. They’ll contact all leaders in early May and November to ascertain your group’s plans.

Certainly! We offer several groups that meet on campus, known as Focus Groups. These include Marriage Mondays on Mondays, Transformation Tuesdays on Tuesdays, and Mid-Week on Wednesdays. Additionally, our LIFE Groups gather at leaders’ homes throughout the week at various times.

We encourage you to kickstart by inviting your friends and neighbors! You can also inquire if they know anyone who might be interested. During the Leader Orientation, you’ll receive valuable training that will aid you in identifying potential invitees. Additionally, we may provide you with the names of individuals who have shown interest in groups and reside in your vicinity.

We recommend inviting as many people as possible when launching your group. Experience shows that not everyone invited will attend initially. Group size varies, and there’s no one-size-fits-all ideal. Your location and available seating will largely determine your group’s size and comfort level. If you’re seeking more attendees on the first night, encourage current members to invite others they know.

If you’re unable to attend a group session, plan for others to step in and lead the evening. We advise all leaders to have a co-leader or co-couple to assist in such situations. While some groups opt for a summer break to accommodate vacations, it’s not mandatory and varies from group to group.

We recommend that all our leaders consider having a co-leader or co-couple to share the leadership responsibilities. In healthy groups, facilitator roles are often rotated over time, and some groups even alternate meeting locations periodically. Additionally, group members may assist with smaller tasks such as sending out reminders, sharing prayer requests, scheduling events, and bringing snacks.

If your group meets Monday through Wednesday as a Focus Group on campus, childcare is provided. However, if your group meets at home, each leader will decide how to handle childcare. Some may ask members to arrange their own babysitters, while others may set up a designated area in the leader’s home for children, with members contributing to hiring one or two sitters to oversee them during the group meeting. Note:  Anyone watching kids in the group must be background checked.

Not necessarily. While some members of current groups may opt to take a break to lead a new group, others might choose to attend meetings on a different night and participate in two groups simultaneously. Follow what feels right for you.

There might be instances where someone shares a problem that you feel unequipped to handle. Please don’t feel you have to manage such situations alone. Reach out to your Groups Team, and they’ll be more than happy to assist you in navigating the situation or helping the individual get the support they require. 

Feel free to reach out to your Groups Team, and we’ll gladly assist you or your group members in accessing the support they require. We’re here to support you in any way throughout your leadership journey. Depending on the individual’s needs, we can connect them with our Care Ministry, which offers a wide range of resources, including Celebrate Recovery, Divorce Care, Grief Share, Benevolence, Counseling, and more.