73
LEADERSHIP TRAINING NOTEBOOK BELONGS TO _________________________________ _________________________________ DATE

Leaders Meeting - Girlfriends - May 19, 2005  · Web viewTo connect people with God and each other through fellowship and the Word; ... why do you try to make him ... _____ to attend

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

LEADERSHIP TRAINING NOTEBOOK

BELONGS TO

_________________________________

_________________________________DATE

If it only takes ONE SMILE to offer welcome…then blessed is the person

who will share it. 

If it only takes ONE MOMENT

to be helpful… then blessed be the person

who will spare it. 

If it only takes ONE JOY

to lift a spirit...then blessed be the person

who will give it. 

If it only takes ONE LIFE

to make a difference… then blessed be the person

who will live it.

 

NOTEBOOK CONTENTS

LEADERSHIP QUOTES 4

SMALL GROUP LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES 5

CORE TRAINING SESSIONS 6

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

EDIFICATION

THE ABC’S OF SMALL GROUPS

PERSONAL COMMITMENT FORM

UNITY

NOTES SECTION 19A PLACE FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT NOTES

LEADER TOOL BOX 30

SMALL GROUP DO’S AND DON’TS

2

GETTING STARTED

ICE BREAKERS AND GROUP OPENER IDEAS

CHILD CARE WAIVER

GROUP FINDER: REPORTING AND MANAGING YOUR GROUP

SMALL GROUP RULES

3

LEADERSHIP QUOTES

By some of the world’s most influential people…

Proverbs 14:28 MSG"The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following."

“Leaders are followers of Christ, helping others to do the same.”

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more,do more and become more, you are a leader."

"Be willing to make decisions. That's the most importantquality in a good leader. Don't fall victim to what is called

the Ready- Aim-Aim-Aim Syndrome. You must be willing to fire."

"People will forget what you said, people will forget whatyou did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

“I start with the premise that the function of leadership isto produce more leaders, not more followers."

“Leadership is the art of getting someone else to dosomething you want done because he wants to do it."

"Knowing when to keep your mouth shut is invariably moreimportant than opening it at the right time."

"Management is about arranging and telling. Leadership isabout nurturing and enhancing."

"A good leader takes a little more than his share of theblame, a little less than his share of the credit."

"True leadership must be for the benefit of the followers,not the enrichment of the leaders."

"YOU CANNOT BE A LEADER, AND ASK OTHER PEOPLE TO FOLLOW YOU,UNLESS YOU KNOW HOW TO FOLLOW, TOO."

“A leader is a dealer in hope.”

”The first step to leadership is servant hood.”

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”

”A good leader can't get too far ahead of his followers.”

4

“The only real training for leadership is leadership.”

5

SMALL GROUP LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES

Rock Connection VisionTo connect people with God and each other through fellowship and the Word; to cultivate personal

relationships and facilitate spiritual growth and development.

QUALIFICATIONS

Committed to membership, serving and the mission of The Rock Church Weekly church service attendance; at least once, preferably twice Desire to serve others by leading a small group Evidences spiritual gifts and abilities to lead Desire to lead others as they follow Christ Submitted to church leadership and has a teachable heart Agreeing to all the commitments in the ABC’s of small groups’ teaching

RESPONSIBILITIES

Group Meetings Conducting small group meetings in accordance to Rock Connection outlines Caring for the members of the group in a healthy manner (training done on this) Provide a safe and orderly atmosphere to share and receive prayer Provide care for members in times of need, knowing when to refer to church office Always welcome new members, never refuse; plan to grow new groups Develop an assistant / potential leader(s) Inform and enforce Small Group Rules

Connect Contact each new referral from the church office or your coach Attend Leadership Development events Stay in communication with your coach Report group attendance and activities via Group Finder Help with Rock Connection events Communicate with and contact members in between meetings

PERSONAL COMMITMENT

Model Christ like leadership – Lead as you follow Ensure own spiritual growth: church attendance, prayer, etc. Stay in relationship and communication with leadership Pray for members

Accountable To: Rock Connection Coach and Pastors

6

CORE TRAINING SESSIONS

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE 7

The Purpose of Small Groups at The Rock

EDIFICATION 8

The Guiding Principle of Small Groups at The Rock

THE ABC’S OF SMALL GROUPS 13

The Foundation of Healthy Small Groups at The Rock

(Personal Commitment to the ABC’s form)

UNITY 17Protecting Our Church

7

INTRODUCTION

THE PURPOSE OF SMALL GROUPS AT THE ROCKThe Biblical Mandate to Connect

Why Connect? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What does a small group look like?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How is the ministry structured?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8

EDIFICATIONThe Guiding Principle of Small Groups at The Rock

So then let us pursue the things which make for peaceand the things for building up one another.

Romans 14:19

The meaning of Edification

Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.Romans 15:2

So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts,seek to abound for the edification of the church.

1 Corinthians 14:12

…in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.Ephesians 2:22

…for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ.Ephesians 4:12

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29

…having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Colossians 2:7

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.1 Thessalonians 5:11

But you, beloved, building yourself up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit.Jude 1:20

You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5

9

God’s plan to create the environment for “building up” is

_____________________

The spiritual family is the __________________________

Satan’s counterfeit for “building up” through relationships is “building up” by __________________

Everything/everyone must serve to build up the _________________and build up the ___________

God’s price He placed on His family - the church is His _____________________________

God’s top priority is ___________________ - the church

Our task as leaders is to ____________

For any other foundation can no one lay than the one being laid,who is Jesus Christ.

And if anyone builds on this foundation gold,silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble,

each one's work shall be revealed.For the Day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try each one's work as to what kind it is. If anyone's work which he built remains, he shall receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 3:11-14

10

Edification… How?

The Head Christ, ministering _____________ His body ____________ His body

The Master EdifierWho does the edifying?

Even with the best intentions, there is a danger that a small group can:

become a ____________________-small group,

rather than a small group being ______________________.

A spiritual-problem-solving-small group _____________the pooled ability, wisdom and resources of the small group.

A small group being edified by Christ taps the ________________, wisdom and resources of God.

Our Part

*__________________ ourselves, along with our hurt, need or problem to Christ.

*Submit to Christ’s body because Christ will edify through _____________________.

*Receive the ____________________that the Lord gives to His body regarding the issue at hand, its root causes, when it should be dealt with and how it is to be dealt with.

*Edification can only happen where there is a _______________ heart !

The Model For Edification

The model which we embrace is the pastoral, _____________________model of the Lord Jesus (John 10:11; Matthew 9:35-39)

When someone asks the small group for prayer, they are really coming to receive from _________.

Our ministry as edifiers is to find out what _____________ is doing and to bless that work.

11

Faulty Models of Ministry in the small group

A. ___________________Model

It assumes that healthy edification must begin by identifying what happened in the __________whichis causing the present trouble.

The Pastoral Model, in contrast, relies on the __________________ and not on a method.

Edification deals with the past only as the _______________ leads and only when the Spirit requires.

B. ____________________________Model

"Here is your problem and this is what I think you must do about it. I'm here to straighten you out.”

The Pastoral Model, in contrast, seeks to be __________________ to the one seeking ministry.

There is great value in loving a person, taking time to build the bridge of _________________ and allowing God to restore them.

C. ________________________________ Model

Sometimes, we dial up a ____________________ that is similar to the ministry situation in which we find ourselves.

Then, we employ the _________________________ which worked in that similar circumstance to help this person.

Our past experiences are valid and can be used by God to _________________ our current work of edification, but we should rely on the Holy Spirit

D. ___________________ Model

The Parenting Model seeks to take _____________________ for the individual in order to help or get them out of the mess in which they find themselves.

Some who come seeking ministry want others to make all the ____________________ for them, to be the source of meeting their needs. Christ alone must be the source.

12

Our Pastoral Model, in contrast, seeks to ____________ people to the only One who can really meet their needs - Jesus.

A person will not be edified if they will not accept ___________________ for their lives by obeying the leadership of the Holy Spirit for themselves.

The Pastoral Model recognizes our role as under ____________ to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Our task in _______________ one another is to find out where He is leading and then lead the person there to encounter Him.

We must learn to be ______________ and to wait on the Lord, not to rush ahead or venture into other pastures.

Isaiah 64:4: "God acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him."

Conclusion

a. Create a _____________________.

Acceptance and affirmation. Confidentiality

b. Ask Questions to Determine What __________ is Doing.

c. Point the One Being Edified Back to ____________.

God uses His entire Process of Edificationto build His House

and make it a glorious living edifice.

13

THE ABC’S OF SMALL GROUPSThe Foundation of Healthy Small Groups at The Rock

A ________

Ask ________ to equip, lead and fill you with knowledge, wisdom, His Holy Spirit and patience.

Psalms 2:8 “Ask of Me and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance”

Ask the ___________

Hebrews 13:17 “Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?”

B ________________

Spend _________ with God

Pray for your group members, read the Word, pray in the Spirit1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thinks be made for all men.

Have a _________

Always ___________ to the leading of the Holy Spirit.2 Timothy 2:15 Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple.

C _______________

Romans 12:5 In the same way, even though we are many people, we are one body in Christ and individual parts connected to each other. (ISV)

Help people to:

connect to ________ Pray in the group Use prayer cards Encourage God-time

o Personal prayer, reading of the Word, journaling

connect with _____________________ Pray for each other Remember birthdays

14

Plan get-togethers Mention those that are absent

D _______________________________

Psalms 145:8 “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy.” :14 “ The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.”

This may “_______ ____ ________” the group.

This factor is very personal and may determine whether someone comes back to the group or not.

E ________________________________

The ________________________ of small groups at The Rock. .

1Thessalonians 5:11 So then, encourage one another and build each other up, as you are doing.

F_________________________________

Don’t underestimate the value of communication, knowing how you are perceived and received.

G ________________________________

always look for potential leaders multiply self have assistant

15

Personal Commitment to the ABC’s of Small Groups

Do not hand this in but keep for your own reference

I commit to…

Asking God:Pray and ask God to provide everything you need as you serve Him and accepting the help and direction from your leaders.

Being prepared:Take time to plan, pray and prepare for every group meeting with an outline or agenda, including the use of the time.

Connecting people:Group members need to be presented with the opportunity to connect to God and each other each time you meet.

Drawing response:Wisely guide participation and input from each person without pressure and avoiding pitfalls of unhealthy discussions.

Edifying others:Always, in every activity in your group, let this be your guiding principle; everyone should leave edified and encouraged each time.

Feedback: Healthy leaders request and encourage feedback from members and leaders; it does not set our course, but keeps us healthy and relevant.

Growing new groups:New groups provide new opportunities for leaders and more people to experience the community and prevent unhealthy inward focus.

1 Peter3:8-11

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good

stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be

glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen!

_________________________________ ____________________ Signature: Date

16

17

UNITYProtecting Our Church

God loves _____________.

"Live in harmony with one another."  Romans 12:16a (NIV)

Without unity there is no fellowship - and without fellowship there is no church. Nothing is more valuable to God than his church. He paid the highest price for it, and it is worth protecting. Part of your responsibility as a leader is to protect the unity of the church.

  " Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3

You need to think of yourself as an agent of unity, commission by Jesus Christ to promote and preserve the fellowship among believers. Here are some ways you can do this:

Don’t focus on ____________________

"Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together." Romans 14:19 Ph

We must stay focused on God’s common purposes for us and his church. Conflict is usually a sign that the focus has shifted to less important issues, things the Bible calls "disputable matters."

"Let there be real harmony so there won't be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose."  1 Corinthians. 1:10 NLT

Be realistic in ________________________

Once you discover what God intends real fellowship to be, it’s easy to become discouraged by the gap between the ideal and the real in church.  Still we must passionately love the church in spite of its imperfections.  Longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is immaturity. Maturity is living with the tension.

"Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love." Ephesians 4:2

Believers are going to disappoint you and let you down but that’s no excuse to stop fellowshipping with them. They’re family, even when they don’t act like it, and you don’t just walk out on them. Because we’re sinners, we hurt each other.  But instead of leaving the church, we need to stay and work it out if at all possible. Reconciliation, not running away, is the road to stronger character and deeper fellowship.  The sooner we give up the illusion that a church must be perfect in order to love it, the sooner we quit pretending and start admitting we’re all imperfect and need grace. This is beginning of real community.

18

Choose to _________________ rather than criticize

"What right do you have to criticize someone else's servants? Only their Lord can decide if they are doing right..." Romans 14:4 CEV

"Why do you criticize your brother’s actions, why do you try to make him look small?  We shall all be judged one day, not by each other’s standards, or even by our own, but by the judgment of God." Rom 14:10

Whenever I judge another believer, I lose fellowship with God, I expose my own pride and insecurity, I set myself up to be judged by God, and I harm the fellowship of the church. A critical spirit is a costly vice.

"Let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don't drag them down by finding fault." Rom 14:19 Mess.

Practice God’s method for _________________________

"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him -- work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won't listen, tell the church." Matthew 18:15-17 Msg

_________________ your pastor and leaders

There are no perfect leaders, but God gives them the responsibility and the authority to maintain the unity of the church. During conflict, that is often a thankless job, as they try to reconcile opposing views.   

"Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?" Hebrews 13:17 Msg

The Bible gives pastors very specific instructions on how to deal with divisive people in the fellowship. They are to avoid arguing, gently teach the opposition while praying they’ll change, warn those who are argumentative, plead for harmony and unity, rebuke those who are disrespectful of leadership, and remove divisive people from the church if they ignore two warnings. 

"Honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!"

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a MSG

    "Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony." Colossians 3:14

19

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT NOTES

20

TOPIC: DATE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21

TOPIC: DATE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22

TOPIC: DATE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23

TOPIC: DATE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24

TOPIC: DATE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

25

TOPIC: DATE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

26

TOPIC: DATE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

27

TOPIC: DATE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

28

TOPIC: DATE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

29

TOPIC: DATE:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

30

LEADERS TOOLBOX

LEADERSHIP APPLICATION 31

TYPICAL SMALL GROUP AGENDA 33

SMALL GROUP DO’S AND DON’TS 34

GETTING STARTED 35

ICE BREAKERS AND GROUP OPENER IDEAS 36

CHILD CARE WAIVER 37

GROUP FINDER: REPORTING AND MANAGING YOUR GROUP 39

SMALL GROUP AGREEMENT 40

FEEDBACK ON TRAINING 41

31

SMALL GROUP LEADERSHIP APPLICATION

Complete the following and give it to the Pastor

Please complete the following:

Name: ___________________________________________________________________

E-mail: ____________________________________ Phone #: __________________

Mailing address: ________________________________________________________________________________ Street

_________________________________________________________________________________ City Zip

Are you a member of The Rock Church? _____yes _____no

When were you saved? ______________ Baptized? ________________

What type of group would you like to start? _________________________________________________

Have you ever lead a group? ______________ Been part of a group? _________________

Are you willing to open your home for this group meeting? __________________

Why do you think small groups are important?

Tell us your Rock Church story (when and how you came to The Rock)?

What other ministries are you involved in at The Rock?

What other formal or non-formal ministry training have you had?

Have you filled in a Volunteer Application at The Rock?

Yes ____ No____ Today? ____ Prior to today? ____

How do you believe you could be helped best to be the leader you want to be?

Which issues or topics would you like to see included in leadership training?

32

33

TYPICAL SMALL GROUP AGENDA (A guide for a 1.5 hr + 30 min fellowship)

Open the Meeting: (~10 min.) Welcome

Introduce new members/visitorsMention any absent members, plan for follow-up

Sign-in sheet.(or keep track of attendance for yourself). Distribute prayer request cards (can be filled out during meeting).

PrayerCheck in with Heaven!Expect God to move.

Set-Up Review Group Rules

We are here to… We will…

Review Meeting Plan

Facilitate Group Activities: Ice-Breaker (~10 min.)

Have fun…Laugh…Enjoy each other!! Refer to list for ideas…Be creative!

The Word and Discussion (~30-45 min)Sermon-discussion groups: Briefly review the sermon to be discussed (~5 min)Teaching groups: Present teaching (~15min)Curriculum groups: Play DVD teaching (~30 min)Don’t preach, but share and involve groupDon’t have to go through every question

OR

Fun and Fellowship GroupsHave a great time with constructive and fun activity

Care for Group Members: (~10-20 min.) Prayer requests

Gather prayer requests and pray at group leader’s discretionMake sure attendees leave uplifted!

Set next meeting date – let them know the time and plan Last words from leader to group: “See you in church!”

Group leaders are responsible for ending on time…honor your group by respecting their time!

34

SMALL GROUP DO’S AND DON’TS

Reminders….

Do:

Challenge members to journal, pray, spend time with God during the week Connect between meeting times with members Remind them each time to invite someone to church and to small group Tell them you’re looking out for them at services Always have a helper/apprentice, identify future leaders Have a list of your own with all the names and phone numbers of your group Please attend Leadership Development events Stay connected with your coach on a regular basis Be careful to not give out member’s personal information, they can if they desire to Communicate any potentially harmful information shared at group with your coach Remind members that for pastoral needs they need to use the ministries of the church,

you are not their pastor, but their leader and friend Communicate the ministries provided by The Rock:

Pastoral spiritual guidance Prayer requests to pastors and prayer chains Hospital visits initiated by calling the front desk All requests to the church for prayer and hospital visitation are followed up Food distribution is available at the church Financial assistance needs to be applied for at front desk Call the church with any questions about the multiple other ministries and care

Don’t:

Try to display your Own spirituality Own opinions Own needs

Allow one person dominate Ignore responses, feedback and needs in the group Be or start late Be totally predictable and boring Get into detailed doctrine; refer to pastors of The Rock Don’t abuse other’s time; stay within the two hour limit Let your meeting resemble a church service in any way; focus on connecting with God

and others and interaction Carry the load for the spiritual wellbeing of your members: point them to God and pray

for them Let your ministry take a toll on your family; see a pastor if you need personal help

GETTING STARTEDPractical elements to work towards in small groups

35

First meeting: Gain personal info, using communication cards, sign-up lists, etc. Set the agenda and goals for your group at the start of group time You may want to set the following goals:

Getting to know each other Pray for one another - here and at home Set up prayer partners to call each other once a week (at their choice) Have a journal with them each week Encourage them to pray and spend time with God Goal is to give each person a chance to give input – we don’t want any one

individual to talk all the time When someone has an intense problem, suggest they call the church office and set

up a Spiritual Guidance appointment with one of the Pastors.

Each meeting: Have a sign in sheet Use prayer request cards or have room on the sign up sheet for requests See who is not present – plan for follow-up Set the goals Each person opportunity for input

Challenge them to:o Life of prayero Devotional timeo Be at every church serviceo Connect, call, pray with someone

Deal with possible problems before they arise by: o Have a group covenant or group agreemento Read the group ruleso Mention your goals for the meetingo Be honest but very gracious.

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Perfect yourselves; encourage yourselves; mind the same thing; be at peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. ~2 Corinthians 13:11

36

ICE BREAKERS AND GROUP OPENER IDEAS

*What is your favorite movie and why?

*If money were no problem, and you could choose one place in the world to travel for a week, where would that place be and why?

*One of my biggest pet peeves is …

*You have three wishes. What would you wish for?

*If you suddenly lost your eyesight, what would be the thing you missed seeing the most?

*What is the most daring thing you have ever done? What made it so daring?

*You have one minute to speak to the entire nation on national television. What one or two key things would you like to tell them?

*If you could do one miracle (other than make the whole world Christian), what would you do? Why?

*What do you miss most about childhood?

*If you could go to college (again), what would you study?

*What’s the worst storm or disaster you’ve been in? What was it like?

*What day of your life would you most like to relive? Why?

*Just for the fun / thrill of it, before I die I’d like to …

*My number-two career choice would be …

*As a time traveler, I would most like to visit ___________ because __________

*What has been one of the greatest adventures you have ever been on?

*If I could invent a gadget to make my life easier I’d invent something that would …

*What are a couple of things you remember about your grandparents?

37

SMALL GROUP CHILDCARE WAIVERRELEASE OF LIABILITY

I intend to allow my child (ren) _______________ to attend our small group

meeting with me in a private residence. If childcare is provided for my child in

their home, I understand that it is not provided using trained Rock Church &

World Outreach Center Volunteer Staff and it is used at my own risk. I realize it is

always MY responsibility to ensure a safe environment for my children wherever

they are, therefore I accept full responsibility for my child during the Small Group

Meeting. I will not hold The Rock Church & World Outreach Center or its agents

responsible for anything that may occur during the meeting.

Parent Name _________________________

Signature _________________________

Child Name(s_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

Date Signed ________________________

38

39

GROUP FINDER: REPORTING AND MANAGING YOUR GROUP

On-line access for Small Group Leaders only

TO ACCESS GROUP FINDER: Log onto Churchteams.com Select Member Login in the right hand corner Select The Rock Church and World Outreach Center Enter Password 1John17 (password is case-sensitive) Click Login>>

TO ACCESS YOUR GROUP: Select: Browse Small Groups Select your group Select: Login to the group Enter Group Password: 1John17

IF you choose to change this password, please remember it! Thanks.

TO ADD NEW MEMBERS: In the white box select: Add Members A calendar will come up, select date member first attended the group. A list of names will come up, choose person from there If person is not on this list, click on “Add member who is not in the list”

Add information. Please keep info on members up to date.

TO COMPLETE A MEETING REPORT: Select: Meeting Information Select: Add New Meeting Complete report:

Meeting Date, adjust to reflect your actual meeting date. Check all members who attended Enter #of Guests: (those not on the member list) Meeting Notes: Brief report of meeting and comments or concerns. Prayer Requests: Share how we pray for you personally and as a leader. Check to make sure the e-mail goes to Leader only.

Save and send – we will receive your report.

TO E-MAIL MEMBERS FROM YOUR GROUP PAGE: Follow directions, make sure you put your correct e-mail as the return e-mail address In order to keep addresses confidential, please cut and paste all addresses from the “To”

box to the “Bcc” box and put your own address in the “To” field – thanks!

YOU MAY ALSO: UPLOAD A GROUP PICTURE- Will be visible to all who search for a group. UPDATE GROUP INFORMATION- Keep date, time, place current.

40

41

BASIC TRAINING FEEDBACK

Please help us connect with you! Complete this and hand to the facilitator. Thanks!

Name: ____________________________________________ Date: _______________

What was most helpful to you as leader/prospective leader about tis session today?

What are some of the biggest challenges you think you may face as a small group leader?

What would you like to see included in future training sessions?

How can this ministry team offer support to you as a leader, that would make a difference in your life as a leader?

42