1. Create a Welcoming Environment
Make sure you welcome everyone and introduce yourself. If they are new they will at least know your name. Food is always a great way to break the ice and make someone feel comfortable. Find some one else in the group to help you with the food the first week and invite others from the group to bring food for the rest of the six weeks.

2. Watch the DVD clips and look over the study guide before the group meets
This will help you feel more prepared and relaxed as you go through the study. You will feel more comfortable if you know what is coming.

3. The Study is your servant and not your master
The DVD and the study guide are there to serve you and help the group. Do not feel pressure to answer every question or explore topic. Be flexible and make the study work for your group.

4. Relax and the Follow the Plan
Let the study guide and the DVD be you guide. You are the facilitator, not a teacher. The study guide is laid out in an easy, step by step, guide to facilitating your group time.

5. Praying in a Group
Prayer can be a scary topic in a group, especially a new group. A great option for a new group is to go around the group and ask for prayer requests. Encourage the group to write them down in their study guide so they can pray for the requests during the week. Then you or another group member closes the group in prayer. If another person in your group is going to pray make sure you ask them a head of time and give them permission to say no. Feel no pressure to pray for every specific prayer request. You can simply pray, “Father, we give you all our prayer requests and ask that you be at work in those situations.” One of the goals of prayer requests should be to encourage the group to pray for each other during the week.

6. Rely on the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is your helper when you host a group. Rely on him for direction as you facilitate your group. Always be willing to go the direction you feel he is leading the group. You are not alone.

7. Rely on Others
The best part of a group is that you are not alone. Look for other people in the group to help you as you go through the study. Never be afraid to ask someone to help with anything.

8. We are here to Help You
We are here to support you and make your group a success. You can contact us for anything.

Rodney Elliott rodney.elliott@westlink.org 316-722-8020 ex. 178
Home Team Director

Tiffany Blaske tiffany.blaske@westlink.org 316-722-8020 ex. 153
Home Teams