Know your Material

It’s important to overview and study
the curriculum before your meeting.

Your group will sense that you are prepared and that this material matters.

You don’t want any “surprises” as you lead your group, so check it out thoroughly ahead of time.

Prepare the Room

Arrive early to your meeting. Work with the host to create a warm and welcoming environment. Take into consideration things such as, lighting, noise, seating arrangements, pets, etc.
 
If you are using any DVD/video equipment, test it out ahead of time and develop your plan “B” if something malfunctions.

Once your group arrives and it’s time to start, have the group members circled where they can all see each other as they interact.

Pray for those Attending

God is at work in the lives of your group members.  Be in prayer for them.  Spend some time praying for them before your group.

 Let God love on them through you and the group.  It may very well be that your group is the very first place where they have ever experienced acceptance and unconditional love.

Co-Leaders

A group’s Co-leader, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, takes responsibility for assisting his or her group leader.

He or she will offer assistance in any way to the group leader. The Co-leader will be challenged and practically equipped by the leader to develop into a Group geader.

Set the Temperature

Not only with your thermostat, but also set the relational temperature.

Create an environment that will be both welcoming and casual. Remember your objective is not to impress, but to make folks feel at home.

As much as it is possible, remove any potential distractions from the room that would take away from the group discussion.

Childcare

Each group will need to plan for its own childcare needs. It is REQUIRED that babysitters be registered with the church or come from the churches approved childcare list.

The church will pay a standardized rate for each babysitter and work with Pastor Matt to determine the appropriate worker/child ratio. The group can also collectively decide to share the cost, or taking turns watching the kids in another area of the house.

MAKE SURE if your group chooses to arrange for childcare at the meeting, that the host approves of that plan and there is an appropriate place there for the kids to play without distracting the parents.

Food & Pets

The Host need not think that he or she should provide refreshments or meals for the group each week. A good idea would be to have the members of the group pick a week to bring snacks. Keep it simple so that the bringing of refreshments doesn’t become a contest to out-do each other. You may want to plan a covered dish meal as part of your fellowship time.

Don’t take it personal if people don’t find your pets as friendly as you. Put your pals in a safe place for the brief time your guests are there. Any folks with allergies will love you for it!

 Phones & Parking

For those who still have landlines, allow the phone to be picked by the answering machine – or turn the ringer off. This will keep the group interaction from being interrupted and you won’t be bothered by those annoying telemarketers!


You may find it helpful to give your first-time guest some parking directions. If you have preferences as to where folks park, tell’em - don’t tow’em!