leader training
EXPERIENCING
GOD
GrowthGroup LEADER TRAINING
JourneyNYC.com/GGLeaders
Experiencing God Growth Group Important Dates Sunday, September 24 – Baptism Sunday, October 1 – Kick-off of Experiencing God teaching series Monday, October 2 – Experiencing God Growth Groups Begin Sunday, October 15 – Membership Class Week of October 23 –GG Servant Evangelism Week Week of Monday, Dec 11 – Final Week of GG’s – GG Christmas Party!
Growth Group Semester System Overview Spring Semester
Summer Semester
Fall Semester
February – March
June – August
October – December
Growth Groups @ The Journey The Journey exists to give the people of New York City the best opportunity to become fully developing followers of Jesus. CORE BELIEF: At The Journey, we believe our church must… grow
and
at the same time.
As a result, The Journey has 2 Types of Church Meetings: Large Group: Sunday Services Small Group: _______________ “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:46-47
The Journey Experiencing God Growth Groups Growth Group Responsibilities WHAT DOES MY GROWTH GROUP DO?
▪ Meets together once a week ▪ Serves together once a month ▪ Reaches out together once a semester ▪ Plays together once a semester WHAT DOES A GROWTH GROUP LEADER DO? ▪
Pray for group members once a day.
▪
Lead the group once a week.
▪
Meet with Team Leader in a Growth Group Huddle once a semester.
▪
Form new groups from their current group once a semester.
WHAT DOES A GROWTH GROUP COORDINATOR DO? ▪
Prepares to become a Growth Group Leader by serving as an apprentice who supports and assists the Group Leader
▪
Facilitates group discussion multiple times during the semester
▪
Prays for the group
Each week the Coordinator sends 2 emails to the group: 1. Record prayer requests and email them to everyone in the group. 2. Send an attendance reminder email to everyone in the group each week two days before the group is to meet (and before group events).
Four F’s of Leading a Growth Group 1. ____________________ Who can I invite to be a part of my Growth Group? •
People in previous Growth Groups
•
People I meet on Sunday
•
People I meet when I'm serving
•
People I meet at a Play Group
How do I tell people about my Growth Group? • Serve at the GG Table on Sundays and hold a poster at the end of a service. • Email/call/text anyone I know to invite them to my group. • Post about my Growth Group on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. What are other ways my group can fill up and be successful? • People select a group because of location, day, time and topic (in that order) • Secure a GG Coordinator for your Group List 4 people you can invite to join your Growth Group: 1.
3.
2.
4.
*Challenge: _______________________________________________________________
2. ____________________ How do people sign up for my Growth group? • Sunday Sign Ups from the services and the GG Info Table are sent to you on Mondays • Online Sign Ups: you receive an automatic email Three types of communication….
1. Immediate Follow Up As soon as someone signs up, email them all the details for your Growth Group. Within a few days of someone signing up, call them to introduce yourself and try to meet them on Sunday.
2. Pre-Group Communication Email your Group each week leading up to the First Meeting Email the day before the First Meeting. Call your Group Members the week of your First Meeting
3. Ongoing Communication 2 Weekly Emails i. Prayer Request ii. Meeting Reminder
Challenge: _______________________________________________________________
3. ____________________ How can I prepare for my FIRST Growth Group Meeting? •
Pray for your group and the individuals who sign up. o When someone signs up, immediately add them to your growth group list (keep an excel file with everyone’s contact information). o Keep a 3” x 5” index card with the names of everyone who signs up for your Growth Group. o Place this index card in a place that you will see every day so you can pray for your Growth Group Members.
• Prepare for your first meeting & have a place for your group to meet. o Secure a meeting location NOW and let everyone know about it immediately. o Think through your itinerary (1st Group Meeting Itinerary).
• Lead your group through the GG Covenant & Syllabus o GG Covenant o Share the Syllabus with your Group (before the first meeting by email and at the first meeting).
*Challenge: _______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________ How can I lead a successful Growth Group EVERY TIME we meet? •
Begin and end on time, every time.
•
Encourage everyone to participate in discussion:
Ping Pong Ball…. Pinball Machine...
•
Don’t let one person ruin it for everyone else.
•
Ask open-ended questions.
•
Provide the “2 C’s”: Care to GG Members & Communication to Staff.
•
Serve at a Sunday service once a month this semester.
•
Participate in one Growth Group SE Project this semester.
*Challenge: _______________________________________________________________
Four F’s Checklist: FILL-UP CHECK LIST: __ Secure a Coordinator for your Growth Group. __ Serve at the GG Info Table and ask people on Sunday to join my group. __ Invite friends, neighbors and co-workers to join my group. FOLLOW-UP CHECK LIST: __ Email every person who signs up for my group immediately with all of the important information: day/time/location, start date, syllabus, contact info, etc. __ Call everyone who signs up for my group at least once before the group begins. __ Send an email reminder two days before my group begins. __ Continue following up with those who don’t show up for Growth Group at least 2 weeks into the group (don’t remove their name from the list until they request it). FOCUS CHECK LIST: __ Pray daily for those who have signed up for my group. __ Secure a place for my group to meet. __ Have the Syllabus and GG Covenant ready at the 1st group meeting. FACILITATE CHECK LIST: __ Send two weekly emails to my Growth Group: Prayer Requests (day after group meets) and Group Reminder Email (day before next group meeting). __ Write down my group’s Service and SE dates and communicate those dates to my group. Be faithful in leading my group to serve. __ Continually identify potential leaders from my group and give them the opportunity to serve/lead within my group.
The Journey Experiencing God Growth Groups Itinerary for your 1st Growth Group Meeting 1. First 15 Minutes: Allow people to arrive, talk, and snack – 15 min. 2. Introductions: Have everyone introduce themselves and share what they do, where they are from and why they decided to join the group – 10 min. 3. Ice Breakers (See some favorite ideas below): •
Two Truths and a Lie: Have everyone tell 3 things about themselves (2 being true and 1 being false). Have everyone else try to guess which one is false.
•
A Penny for Your Thoughts: Bring a small bag of pennies from a variety of years to growth group. Everyone takes a penny as they pass the bag around, and they share a fond memory from the year that they chose. Have members put their penny back if they choose a year that they didn’t live through. If you don’t have many pennies, any other coins will do.
•
Little Known Facts: Ask each person in the group to think of two interesting, unusual, or humorous facts about themselves that no one else would know. Everyone takes a turn sharing their little known facts with the group. Be prepared for some wacky revelations!
•
The Name Game: Tell the story behind your name – are you named after someone, does your name mean something special, etc.
4. Introduce Experiencing God: Hand out GG Syllabus, Bookmarks, share the Experiencing God overview on p. 6 of Seven Realities For Experiencing God. Answer any questions – 5-10 minutes. 5. Growth Group Covenant: Read through the Growth Group Covenant carefully with the group. Explain the points as you read each one. Answer any questions. If anyone tries to be difficult and disagreeable, offer to talk with them individually at the end of the meeting – 5-15 min. 6. Explain and ask for volunteers for the different roles within the group: Play Coordinator, Food Coordinator, etc. – 5 minutes. 7. Share prayer requests and pray together – 10 minutes. 8. Talk and eat – 15 minutes.
Experiencing God Syllabus
The Journey’s Experiencing God Growth Groups Welcome to your Experiencing God Growth Group. Your group will meet weekly beginning the week of October 2 through the week of December 11. This Fall, you and your Growth Group will have the opportunity to know and do the will of God for your life. Every day you will be reading an email devotion and every week you will read a short chapter about a truth of God from the booklet 7 Truths From Experiencing God. Then, on Sundays at The Journey, the teaching will connect to that truth that you will discuss in your group. Be sure to keep up with your reading and come to the group prepared to participate in the discussion each week. If you do – you will know God’s will for your life and your life will have more meaning, more purpose, and more joy than ever before. Below is a week-by-week syllabus for your group. Note that you will need to add in the dates that your group serves on Sundays and participates in its Servant Evangelism event. So join the entire Journey Family on this spiritual adventure as we Experience God together this Fall! GG Week #1: Week of October 2 First Growth Group Meeting: Introductions, Group Orientation, Growth Group Covenants * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #1: God is at Work Around You (pp. 4 - 10) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #2: Week of October 9 Discuss: Truth #1: God is at Work Around You * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #2: God Pursues a Love Relationship With You (pp. 12 - 19) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #3: Week of October 16 Discuss: Truth #2: God Pursues a Love Relationship With You * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #3: God Invites You to Join Him (pp. 20 27) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #4: Week of October 23 (Group Servant Evangelism Week) Discuss: Truth #3: God Invites You to Join Him * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #4: God Speaks to You (pp. 28 - 35) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #5: Week of October 30 Discuss: Truth #4: God Speaks to You * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #5: Your Crisis of Belief (pp. 36 - 43) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #6: Week of November 6 Discuss: Truth #5: Your Crisis of Belief * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #6: You Must Adjust Your Life (pp. 44 - 50) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #7: Week of November 13 Discuss: Truth #6: You Must Adjust Your Life *Assignment for week of November 27th: Read Truth #7: You Can Experience God (pp. 52 60) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God
GG Week #8: Week of November 20 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (Groups Don’t Meet Thanksgiving Week)
GG Week #9: Week of November 27 Discuss: Truth #7: You Can Experience God
GG Week #10: Week of December 4 Be A Difference Maker This Christmas (Supplemental Study)
GG Week #11: Week of December 11 *Growth Group Christmas Party or fun event
*Every Growth Group is assigned service opportunities during the semester. SERVING ON SUNDAY DATES: _____________
_____________
SERVANT EVANGELISM DATE: _______________ CHRISTMAS PARTY/FUN EVENT DATE: _______________
______________
_____________
The Journey Experiencing God Growth Group Covenant Welcome to your Experiencing God Growth Group at The Journey. Congratulations on your desire to grow deeper in your relationship with God through this weekly study and the relationships that will begin in this Growth Group. As a member of this group, you will be asked to enter into a covenant with the other members to make this Growth Group a priority. To be a part of the group, you are asked to make the following commitments: 1. I will make this group a priority by attending each week, keeping up with my assignments and participating in group discussion. 2. I will regularly attend The Journey services and contribute to the ministry of the church through my attendance, giving, service and inviting of others. 3. I will strive to build authentic relationships with those in this group by showing care, providing encouragement and praying for their needs. 4. I will intentionally share my faith with those around me by reaching out to lost and unchurched friends by praying, giving a verbal witness, and inviting them to The Journey. 5. I will serve together with my group once a month during the semester and will participate in a Servant Evangelism Project and play together with my group at least once. 6. I will explore honestly my next steps for spiritual growth.
________________________________ Sign Your Name ________________________________ Print Your Name
_______________ Date
Fall 2017 Growth Groups Sunday Serving Schedule Village Names Jeremy/Annabell Lynn/Grace Hillary/Elizabeth Alan Natalie/Arlene Lolita Tiffany David/Junior Darah Susan/Marc Diamond/Brandon Ryan/Brian Chris Khadeen Brittany/Tayloir Josh Kismet/Naomi Leslie/Reid Shelley/Seth Zac Lydia Kellie/Hiram Marissa/Rebecca Heather/Megan Laurie Lindsay Brandon Aaron/Sarah Kerrick/Lorie George Reese Richard Scott/Stephen Raffi Bobby/Laura Gabby/Paige Gina
Time 11:00am 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 11:00am 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 11:00am 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm
Date #1 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29
Date #2 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26
Date #3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12
Upper West Side Names Jeremy/Ken Will Christina Aileena Calvin/Carlos Juliana Aniella/Charissa Kristin/Brandie Bailey Anthony/Nikki Cindy/Nicole Belkyss/Ruby
Time 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm
Date #1 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22
Date #2 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19
Date #3 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10
Upper East Side Name Jim/Denise Nate/Candace Leigh-Ann/Kristen Al Danielley/Brendan Eric/Meggy Doris/Jeanine Ben/Amy
Date #1 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/22 10/22
Date #2 10/22 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/26
Date #3 11/26 11/26 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/10 12/10 12/10
13
Fall 2017 Growth Group Servant Evangelism Schedule Monday, October 23 UWS – 96th Street & Broadway Jeremy/Annabell Alan Lolita Will
Lynn/Grace Hillary/Elizabeth Jeremy/Ken Christina
Tuesday, October 24 Village – 14th Street & 6th Avenue (in front of Urban Outfitters) Susan/Marc Diamond/Brandon Ryan/Brian Chris Gina/Liane Khadeen Brittany/Tayloir Zac Calvin/Carlos Josh Al
Tuesday, October 24 UES – 210 E 86th Street (between 2nd & 3rd Avenue) Shelley/Seth Jim/Denise Aileena Tiffany Nate/Candace Kellie/Hiram Leigh-Ann/Kristen David/Chelsea/Junior
Wednesday, October 25 Village – 14th Street & 6th Avenue (in front of Urban Outfitters) Danielle/Brendan Darah Marissa/Rebecca Heather/Megan Kismet/Naomi Leslie/Reid Laurie Aaron/Sarah Kerrick/Lorie Lindsay Raffi
14
Wednesday, October 25 UWS – 96th Street & Broadway Juliana George Bailey Brandon
Aniella/Charissa Kristin/Brandie Anthony/Nikki
Thursday, October 26 UES – 210 E 86th Street (between 2nd & 3rd Avenue) Richard Scott/Stephen Bobby/Laura Brad Lydia Doris/Jeanine Reese
Saturday, October 27 Village – 14th Street & 6th Avenue (in front of Urban Outfitters) Natalie/Arlene Eric/Meggy Ben/Amy Gabby/Paige Cindy/Nicole Belkyss/Ruby
15
HOW TO LEAD YOUR EXPERIENCING GOD GROWTH GROUP THIS FALL 1 – BEGIN WITH AN ____________________. • •
Gets people warmed up for discussion Helps new people feel more welcomed
2 – READ KEY SCRIPTURE TOGETHER OUTLOUD 3 – PRAY 3 – GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE ____________________ THAT WEEK. •
Reference your discussion guide and Seven Realties of God
4 – ASK – “WHAT ______________ DO YOU HAVE FROM THIS WEEK’S READING?” • •
Chapter from 7 Truths of Experiencing God Daily Devotions
5 – PICK SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK FROM _______________________________. • •
Have someone read Exodus story for the week and use some discussion questions Don’t feel pressured to get through all of the questions we give you.
6 – SEE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR INTEREST FROM ____________________. • •
Bring your message notes from Sunday as a guide. Balance TRUTH (Scripture) with LIFE (Personal Experience) in discussion.
7 – SHARE ____________________AND PRAY.
*HOW DOES MY GROWTH GROUP “WIN”? ➢ My Growth Group “WINS” when __________________. ➢ My Growth Group “WINS” when we apply ________________ to our lives and ____________________ while having fun. 16
The Journey Experiencing God Growth Group Leader/Coordinator Covenant Thank you for serving as a Growth Group Leader/Coordinator at The Journey. As a Growth Group Leader/Coordinator you will be viewed by those in your group as a leader in the church. As a result, we ask that you enter into covenant with the other Growth Group Leaders/Coordinators by making the following commitments: 1. I will embody and reflect the values and principles of The Journey and will follow the leadership of the Staff Team. 2. I will faithfully attend The Journey on Sundays and: • Participate in the church by becoming a member and giving in a measurable way. • Leading my group in serving together once a month. 3. I will make my Growth Group a priority by: • Faithfully attending my Growth Group. • Preparing beforehand for my group each week. • Inviting/welcoming others to join my group. • Identifying New Leaders in my Growth Group. 4. I understand that I am responsible for the care of my Growth Group. As a result, I will: • Pray for the individuals in my group. • Follow up with each person in my group. • Lead my group in providing care for one another. 5. I will strive to create an environment of growth in my group by: • Involving as many people as possible in group discussion. • Creating a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment. • Beginning and ending on time. 6. I will intentionally share my faith with those around me by: • Reaching out to lost and unchurched friends and inviting them to The Journey. • Encouraging my Growth Group Members to reach out to lost and unchurched friends and inviting them to The Journey. __________________________________ Sign Your Name
_______________ Date
__________________________________ Print Your Name 17
GOD
GrowthGroup LEADER TRAINING
JourneyNYC.com/GGLeaders
Experiencing God Growth Group Important Dates Sunday, September 24 – Baptism Sunday, October 1 – Kick-off of Experiencing God teaching series Monday, October 2 – Experiencing God Growth Groups Begin Sunday, October 15 – Membership Class Week of October 23 –GG Servant Evangelism Week Week of Monday, Dec 11 – Final Week of GG’s – GG Christmas Party!
Growth Group Semester System Overview Spring Semester
Summer Semester
Fall Semester
February – March
June – August
October – December
Growth Groups @ The Journey The Journey exists to give the people of New York City the best opportunity to become fully developing followers of Jesus. CORE BELIEF: At The Journey, we believe our church must… grow
and
at the same time.
As a result, The Journey has 2 Types of Church Meetings: Large Group: Sunday Services Small Group: _______________ “They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.” – Acts 2:46-47
The Journey Experiencing God Growth Groups Growth Group Responsibilities WHAT DOES MY GROWTH GROUP DO?
▪ Meets together once a week ▪ Serves together once a month ▪ Reaches out together once a semester ▪ Plays together once a semester WHAT DOES A GROWTH GROUP LEADER DO? ▪
Pray for group members once a day.
▪
Lead the group once a week.
▪
Meet with Team Leader in a Growth Group Huddle once a semester.
▪
Form new groups from their current group once a semester.
WHAT DOES A GROWTH GROUP COORDINATOR DO? ▪
Prepares to become a Growth Group Leader by serving as an apprentice who supports and assists the Group Leader
▪
Facilitates group discussion multiple times during the semester
▪
Prays for the group
Each week the Coordinator sends 2 emails to the group: 1. Record prayer requests and email them to everyone in the group. 2. Send an attendance reminder email to everyone in the group each week two days before the group is to meet (and before group events).
Four F’s of Leading a Growth Group 1. ____________________ Who can I invite to be a part of my Growth Group? •
People in previous Growth Groups
•
People I meet on Sunday
•
People I meet when I'm serving
•
People I meet at a Play Group
How do I tell people about my Growth Group? • Serve at the GG Table on Sundays and hold a poster at the end of a service. • Email/call/text anyone I know to invite them to my group. • Post about my Growth Group on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. What are other ways my group can fill up and be successful? • People select a group because of location, day, time and topic (in that order) • Secure a GG Coordinator for your Group List 4 people you can invite to join your Growth Group: 1.
3.
2.
4.
*Challenge: _______________________________________________________________
2. ____________________ How do people sign up for my Growth group? • Sunday Sign Ups from the services and the GG Info Table are sent to you on Mondays • Online Sign Ups: you receive an automatic email Three types of communication….
1. Immediate Follow Up As soon as someone signs up, email them all the details for your Growth Group. Within a few days of someone signing up, call them to introduce yourself and try to meet them on Sunday.
2. Pre-Group Communication Email your Group each week leading up to the First Meeting Email the day before the First Meeting. Call your Group Members the week of your First Meeting
3. Ongoing Communication 2 Weekly Emails i. Prayer Request ii. Meeting Reminder
Challenge: _______________________________________________________________
3. ____________________ How can I prepare for my FIRST Growth Group Meeting? •
Pray for your group and the individuals who sign up. o When someone signs up, immediately add them to your growth group list (keep an excel file with everyone’s contact information). o Keep a 3” x 5” index card with the names of everyone who signs up for your Growth Group. o Place this index card in a place that you will see every day so you can pray for your Growth Group Members.
• Prepare for your first meeting & have a place for your group to meet. o Secure a meeting location NOW and let everyone know about it immediately. o Think through your itinerary (1st Group Meeting Itinerary).
• Lead your group through the GG Covenant & Syllabus o GG Covenant o Share the Syllabus with your Group (before the first meeting by email and at the first meeting).
*Challenge: _______________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________ How can I lead a successful Growth Group EVERY TIME we meet? •
Begin and end on time, every time.
•
Encourage everyone to participate in discussion:
Ping Pong Ball…. Pinball Machine...
•
Don’t let one person ruin it for everyone else.
•
Ask open-ended questions.
•
Provide the “2 C’s”: Care to GG Members & Communication to Staff.
•
Serve at a Sunday service once a month this semester.
•
Participate in one Growth Group SE Project this semester.
*Challenge: _______________________________________________________________
Four F’s Checklist: FILL-UP CHECK LIST: __ Secure a Coordinator for your Growth Group. __ Serve at the GG Info Table and ask people on Sunday to join my group. __ Invite friends, neighbors and co-workers to join my group. FOLLOW-UP CHECK LIST: __ Email every person who signs up for my group immediately with all of the important information: day/time/location, start date, syllabus, contact info, etc. __ Call everyone who signs up for my group at least once before the group begins. __ Send an email reminder two days before my group begins. __ Continue following up with those who don’t show up for Growth Group at least 2 weeks into the group (don’t remove their name from the list until they request it). FOCUS CHECK LIST: __ Pray daily for those who have signed up for my group. __ Secure a place for my group to meet. __ Have the Syllabus and GG Covenant ready at the 1st group meeting. FACILITATE CHECK LIST: __ Send two weekly emails to my Growth Group: Prayer Requests (day after group meets) and Group Reminder Email (day before next group meeting). __ Write down my group’s Service and SE dates and communicate those dates to my group. Be faithful in leading my group to serve. __ Continually identify potential leaders from my group and give them the opportunity to serve/lead within my group.
The Journey Experiencing God Growth Groups Itinerary for your 1st Growth Group Meeting 1. First 15 Minutes: Allow people to arrive, talk, and snack – 15 min. 2. Introductions: Have everyone introduce themselves and share what they do, where they are from and why they decided to join the group – 10 min. 3. Ice Breakers (See some favorite ideas below): •
Two Truths and a Lie: Have everyone tell 3 things about themselves (2 being true and 1 being false). Have everyone else try to guess which one is false.
•
A Penny for Your Thoughts: Bring a small bag of pennies from a variety of years to growth group. Everyone takes a penny as they pass the bag around, and they share a fond memory from the year that they chose. Have members put their penny back if they choose a year that they didn’t live through. If you don’t have many pennies, any other coins will do.
•
Little Known Facts: Ask each person in the group to think of two interesting, unusual, or humorous facts about themselves that no one else would know. Everyone takes a turn sharing their little known facts with the group. Be prepared for some wacky revelations!
•
The Name Game: Tell the story behind your name – are you named after someone, does your name mean something special, etc.
4. Introduce Experiencing God: Hand out GG Syllabus, Bookmarks, share the Experiencing God overview on p. 6 of Seven Realities For Experiencing God. Answer any questions – 5-10 minutes. 5. Growth Group Covenant: Read through the Growth Group Covenant carefully with the group. Explain the points as you read each one. Answer any questions. If anyone tries to be difficult and disagreeable, offer to talk with them individually at the end of the meeting – 5-15 min. 6. Explain and ask for volunteers for the different roles within the group: Play Coordinator, Food Coordinator, etc. – 5 minutes. 7. Share prayer requests and pray together – 10 minutes. 8. Talk and eat – 15 minutes.
Experiencing God Syllabus
The Journey’s Experiencing God Growth Groups Welcome to your Experiencing God Growth Group. Your group will meet weekly beginning the week of October 2 through the week of December 11. This Fall, you and your Growth Group will have the opportunity to know and do the will of God for your life. Every day you will be reading an email devotion and every week you will read a short chapter about a truth of God from the booklet 7 Truths From Experiencing God. Then, on Sundays at The Journey, the teaching will connect to that truth that you will discuss in your group. Be sure to keep up with your reading and come to the group prepared to participate in the discussion each week. If you do – you will know God’s will for your life and your life will have more meaning, more purpose, and more joy than ever before. Below is a week-by-week syllabus for your group. Note that you will need to add in the dates that your group serves on Sundays and participates in its Servant Evangelism event. So join the entire Journey Family on this spiritual adventure as we Experience God together this Fall! GG Week #1: Week of October 2 First Growth Group Meeting: Introductions, Group Orientation, Growth Group Covenants * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #1: God is at Work Around You (pp. 4 - 10) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #2: Week of October 9 Discuss: Truth #1: God is at Work Around You * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #2: God Pursues a Love Relationship With You (pp. 12 - 19) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #3: Week of October 16 Discuss: Truth #2: God Pursues a Love Relationship With You * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #3: God Invites You to Join Him (pp. 20 27) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #4: Week of October 23 (Group Servant Evangelism Week) Discuss: Truth #3: God Invites You to Join Him * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #4: God Speaks to You (pp. 28 - 35) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #5: Week of October 30 Discuss: Truth #4: God Speaks to You * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #5: Your Crisis of Belief (pp. 36 - 43) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #6: Week of November 6 Discuss: Truth #5: Your Crisis of Belief * Assignment for next group meeting: Read Truth #6: You Must Adjust Your Life (pp. 44 - 50) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God and your daily devotions
GG Week #7: Week of November 13 Discuss: Truth #6: You Must Adjust Your Life *Assignment for week of November 27th: Read Truth #7: You Can Experience God (pp. 52 60) from 7 Truths From Experiencing God
GG Week #8: Week of November 20 HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (Groups Don’t Meet Thanksgiving Week)
GG Week #9: Week of November 27 Discuss: Truth #7: You Can Experience God
GG Week #10: Week of December 4 Be A Difference Maker This Christmas (Supplemental Study)
GG Week #11: Week of December 11 *Growth Group Christmas Party or fun event
*Every Growth Group is assigned service opportunities during the semester. SERVING ON SUNDAY DATES: _____________
_____________
SERVANT EVANGELISM DATE: _______________ CHRISTMAS PARTY/FUN EVENT DATE: _______________
______________
_____________
The Journey Experiencing God Growth Group Covenant Welcome to your Experiencing God Growth Group at The Journey. Congratulations on your desire to grow deeper in your relationship with God through this weekly study and the relationships that will begin in this Growth Group. As a member of this group, you will be asked to enter into a covenant with the other members to make this Growth Group a priority. To be a part of the group, you are asked to make the following commitments: 1. I will make this group a priority by attending each week, keeping up with my assignments and participating in group discussion. 2. I will regularly attend The Journey services and contribute to the ministry of the church through my attendance, giving, service and inviting of others. 3. I will strive to build authentic relationships with those in this group by showing care, providing encouragement and praying for their needs. 4. I will intentionally share my faith with those around me by reaching out to lost and unchurched friends by praying, giving a verbal witness, and inviting them to The Journey. 5. I will serve together with my group once a month during the semester and will participate in a Servant Evangelism Project and play together with my group at least once. 6. I will explore honestly my next steps for spiritual growth.
________________________________ Sign Your Name ________________________________ Print Your Name
_______________ Date
Fall 2017 Growth Groups Sunday Serving Schedule Village Names Jeremy/Annabell Lynn/Grace Hillary/Elizabeth Alan Natalie/Arlene Lolita Tiffany David/Junior Darah Susan/Marc Diamond/Brandon Ryan/Brian Chris Khadeen Brittany/Tayloir Josh Kismet/Naomi Leslie/Reid Shelley/Seth Zac Lydia Kellie/Hiram Marissa/Rebecca Heather/Megan Laurie Lindsay Brandon Aaron/Sarah Kerrick/Lorie George Reese Richard Scott/Stephen Raffi Bobby/Laura Gabby/Paige Gina
Time 11:00am 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 11:00am 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 11:00am 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 1:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm 6:00pm
Date #1 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29
Date #2 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26
Date #3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/17 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12/24 12
Upper West Side Names Jeremy/Ken Will Christina Aileena Calvin/Carlos Juliana Aniella/Charissa Kristin/Brandie Bailey Anthony/Nikki Cindy/Nicole Belkyss/Ruby
Time 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm 11:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 1:00pm
Date #1 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/22 10/22 10/22 10/22
Date #2 10/29 10/29 10/29 10/29 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/19
Date #3 11/26 11/26 11/26 11/26 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/10
Upper East Side Name Jim/Denise Nate/Candace Leigh-Ann/Kristen Al Danielley/Brendan Eric/Meggy Doris/Jeanine Ben/Amy
Date #1 10/8 10/8 10/8 10/15 10/15 10/15 10/22 10/22
Date #2 10/22 11/5 11/5 11/5 11/19 11/19 11/19 11/26
Date #3 11/26 11/26 12/3 12/3 12/3 12/10 12/10 12/10
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Fall 2017 Growth Group Servant Evangelism Schedule Monday, October 23 UWS – 96th Street & Broadway Jeremy/Annabell Alan Lolita Will
Lynn/Grace Hillary/Elizabeth Jeremy/Ken Christina
Tuesday, October 24 Village – 14th Street & 6th Avenue (in front of Urban Outfitters) Susan/Marc Diamond/Brandon Ryan/Brian Chris Gina/Liane Khadeen Brittany/Tayloir Zac Calvin/Carlos Josh Al
Tuesday, October 24 UES – 210 E 86th Street (between 2nd & 3rd Avenue) Shelley/Seth Jim/Denise Aileena Tiffany Nate/Candace Kellie/Hiram Leigh-Ann/Kristen David/Chelsea/Junior
Wednesday, October 25 Village – 14th Street & 6th Avenue (in front of Urban Outfitters) Danielle/Brendan Darah Marissa/Rebecca Heather/Megan Kismet/Naomi Leslie/Reid Laurie Aaron/Sarah Kerrick/Lorie Lindsay Raffi
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Wednesday, October 25 UWS – 96th Street & Broadway Juliana George Bailey Brandon
Aniella/Charissa Kristin/Brandie Anthony/Nikki
Thursday, October 26 UES – 210 E 86th Street (between 2nd & 3rd Avenue) Richard Scott/Stephen Bobby/Laura Brad Lydia Doris/Jeanine Reese
Saturday, October 27 Village – 14th Street & 6th Avenue (in front of Urban Outfitters) Natalie/Arlene Eric/Meggy Ben/Amy Gabby/Paige Cindy/Nicole Belkyss/Ruby
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HOW TO LEAD YOUR EXPERIENCING GOD GROWTH GROUP THIS FALL 1 – BEGIN WITH AN ____________________. • •
Gets people warmed up for discussion Helps new people feel more welcomed
2 – READ KEY SCRIPTURE TOGETHER OUTLOUD 3 – PRAY 3 – GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE ____________________ THAT WEEK. •
Reference your discussion guide and Seven Realties of God
4 – ASK – “WHAT ______________ DO YOU HAVE FROM THIS WEEK’S READING?” • •
Chapter from 7 Truths of Experiencing God Daily Devotions
5 – PICK SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK FROM _______________________________. • •
Have someone read Exodus story for the week and use some discussion questions Don’t feel pressured to get through all of the questions we give you.
6 – SEE IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR INTEREST FROM ____________________. • •
Bring your message notes from Sunday as a guide. Balance TRUTH (Scripture) with LIFE (Personal Experience) in discussion.
7 – SHARE ____________________AND PRAY.
*HOW DOES MY GROWTH GROUP “WIN”? ➢ My Growth Group “WINS” when __________________. ➢ My Growth Group “WINS” when we apply ________________ to our lives and ____________________ while having fun. 16
The Journey Experiencing God Growth Group Leader/Coordinator Covenant Thank you for serving as a Growth Group Leader/Coordinator at The Journey. As a Growth Group Leader/Coordinator you will be viewed by those in your group as a leader in the church. As a result, we ask that you enter into covenant with the other Growth Group Leaders/Coordinators by making the following commitments: 1. I will embody and reflect the values and principles of The Journey and will follow the leadership of the Staff Team. 2. I will faithfully attend The Journey on Sundays and: • Participate in the church by becoming a member and giving in a measurable way. • Leading my group in serving together once a month. 3. I will make my Growth Group a priority by: • Faithfully attending my Growth Group. • Preparing beforehand for my group each week. • Inviting/welcoming others to join my group. • Identifying New Leaders in my Growth Group. 4. I understand that I am responsible for the care of my Growth Group. As a result, I will: • Pray for the individuals in my group. • Follow up with each person in my group. • Lead my group in providing care for one another. 5. I will strive to create an environment of growth in my group by: • Involving as many people as possible in group discussion. • Creating a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment. • Beginning and ending on time. 6. I will intentionally share my faith with those around me by: • Reaching out to lost and unchurched friends and inviting them to The Journey. • Encouraging my Growth Group Members to reach out to lost and unchurched friends and inviting them to The Journey. __________________________________ Sign Your Name
_______________ Date
__________________________________ Print Your Name 17
