1. What would a typical small group meeting look like?

• Coffee & snacks for people to fellowship with each other. (20 minutes)
• Gather together for welcome, prayer and introductions of new persons.
• Sharing time, "How are you doing this week?" (15 minutes)
• A time of worship and prayer. (10 minutes).
• Bible Study or topical study, Devotional (25 minutes).
• Closing prayer

Groups dedicated to an activity would adjust their times to add time for the activity. For example:

• Gather together for welcome and prayer
• Sharing time (15 minutes)
• Time for worship and prayer (10 minutes).
• Devotional. (5 - l0 minutes)
• Activity, Arts and crafts, music, sport, etc. (Whatever time necessary).
• Close with prayer

Suggestions

• Meetings could last between 1 to 2 hours.
• They are suggested to meet at least Once a week or every other week.
• All groups are encouraged to have a start date and end date.
• All group leaders are encouraged to have an apprentice.
• All groups are encouraged to be welcoming to others and to eventually split into two groups. We will call this birthing a new group. • Leave an empty chair.
• Groups should be between 4 and 15 in number.
• When starting a group, the best way to get members is for the leader to recruit their own group. The church will also help promote your small groups.
• Small groups can be developed out of a focus on a common activity. Some examples are: (Remember to keep focus on our Christian theme.)
• It is ok if a group dies in peace.

2. The qualities of a small group leader. (Acts 4:14)
The primary requirement for a group leader is to have been with Christ.

Most of us feel inadequate for the job of leading a small group. A group leader does not need to be a ......
      Theologian - You do not need to know all the answers.
      Therapist - You are not there to solve their problems.
      Teacher - You are not there to lecture the group.

A small group leader functions more like a FACILITATOR. Your ministry is to help the group and individuals in the group develop and grow. A group leader needs to be some one who has .....

As a leader we want you to know YOU ARE NOT ALONE. You have....

• God on your side.
• Pastor Harold and Ruben as resources and support for you and your group.
• A small group leader's support team will be developed. They will meet once a month or every other month.
• There are many small group resource materials available. ( I highly recommend the serendipity 101 series).

3. The Task and Maintenance Functions of a Group Leader!
Every group has needs. Some are individual needs others are group needs. The sensitive group leader will be able to discern the needs and address those needs appropriately. The strength of the group depends on the degree to which three types of needs are met:

1. INDIVIDUAL: These needs people bring to the group
   • Listening - develop a relationship of openness.
   • Referrals - some small group members need specialized care.
2. TASK: The basic needs that keep the group healthy.
   • Initiating - suggesting ideas, defining a problem.
   • Informing - communicating what is going on.
   • Expediting - getting the group to do something.
   • Summarizing - putting some ideas together for the group to consider.
   • Clarifying - interpreting or making clear.
3. MAINTENANCE: The things that help a group stick together.
   • Gate Keeping - helping others to participate.
   • Encouraging - being friendly, warm, responsive and accepting of others.
   • Feeling - talking honestly about the moods and tensions in a group.
   • Harmonizing - helping the group explore their differences.

4. Five essential ingredients to help our small groups work.

1. Fellowship - (Heb 10:22) This meets our need to belong. On Sunday morning at worship, we often mingle, but seldom meet. The informal times are as important as the formal times during our group meeting times. People get to know and love one another because of them. Do not forget play. Fun is essential to group growth.
2. Worship & Prayer - (Heb 5:19) So often worship is rushed and prayer is generic. In your group, you worship can be slowed down and your prayer can be specific. Sing well-known Hymn or Praise music. Listen to Worship tapes or CD's. Share personal prayer concerns, Join hands and invite your group to try different styles of prayer. You may want to keep a group prayer journal.
3. Study of the Word- (2 Tim 2:15) Study is the key mark of involvement in your small group life. It is essential that your group study the Bible. If you are an activity focused small group it is important to make time for study. The use of short devotionals is a good resource to keep the word of God central to your group.
4. Accountability - (Acts 20-20) This is the self-disclosure in your group. While fellowship assures groups they can talk, accountability challenges the group to trust. Often groups will develop accountability questions like "Have you read the Bible this week?" or "When did you feel closest to Christ?" Accountability is a persona asking a group to keep them faithful to an important commitment. Accountability will develop as trust grows within the group.
5. Mission or Outreach - (Heb 10:24) The journey inward must lead to a journey outward. A group needs to find a ministry that they can share in as a group (i.e. homeless feeding, money for mission, parking ushers, giving their time to church needs, etc.) We need to give as we receive.

5. So where do I go from here?

1. Pray, pray, pray
2. Review any material from the training that you are not familiar with. Ask questions to the Small group trainer.
3. Contact Pastor Ruben and discuss how do you feel about leading a group? When is a good day to start your group? What will be your group topic? At what time and where will you meet? Pick a time that is best for you.
4. Each Small Group leader needs an assistant or apprentice leader. This will give the group leader more confidence and will prepare someone to lead a group when it is time to multiply.
5. The Small group leader and apprentice need to begin putting together a prospective list. Potential group members might be friends, acquaintances, neighbors or co-workers, and people from the church. They do not need to be members of Faith church. Potential members might be referred by the Pastors from new member classes and etc.
6. Small group leaders then begin contacting potential group members. Usually an informal phone call is sufficient. A reminder card may be helpful. Also look for potential host.
7. Communicate with the church office of group members, times of meetings and topics, So that we can assist you in this process.