Group Leaders
Leading a small group study is an amazing way to make a difference with your life. Small group bible studies are powerful vehicles for catalyzing life change and spiritual growth. We are looking for new small group hosts to lead a group. If interested in becoming a host, you can sign-up below.
Host a Group Session 1
with Roger Patterson
Doing Groups Together Session #1:
Why Did I Say Yes to Leading?
Small groups are central to God’s plans for His people and for His church, and people like you provide a place where life-change can happen. Jesus calls all His followers to invest in the spiritual lives of others just as you’ll be doing in your small group. In the next five sessions, we’ll answer questions you yourself might have: Who do I call? Where do I begin? When do I do what? How do I do it? And what’s next? You said yes to Jesus’ call to join in what God is up to, and that’s an exciting place to be.
Download the "Doing Groups Together" Curriculum
Group CurriculumWatch the Rest of the Doing Groups Together Videos
Doing Groups Together Session #2:
Who Do I Call? Surround Yourself with a Team
You don’t have to put together a small group alone! Don’t carry this start-up burden—or the leadership burden—all by yourself. At this point, think about whom you’d like alongside you. Identify someone to be a coleader and then meet to consider who else to have as part of the core team. The core team will invite people—and don’t worry about having too many people. Two prayer groups and/or two discussion groups work just fine. Again, your leadership role is not a solo job! Build yourself a team!
Doing Groups Together Session #3:
Where Do I Begin? Preparing for Your First Meeting
The tips come rapid-fire: Invite those God has put on your heart. Promise free food. Tell those you invite that you’ll be sharing your spiritual story. Prepare the house: be sure there’s room for people to mingle and to sit. Test the technology if you plan to show a promo video. Greet each person as they arrive to make sure everyone feels welcome. Call the group together for introductions, an overview of both the curriculum and a typical meeting, and some logistics. And the video has still more tips for you!
Doing Groups Together Session #4:
When Do I Do What? What to Do at Your First Meeting
Ideally, have an informal gathering before you meet for your first study. Pray about whom to invite and what to share; ask God to oversee the establishment of the group. At this gathering, share your vision, your heart, and your hope for the group. Talk about how you’ve benefited from small groups. Remember that small groups help people feel heard and known, loved and encouraged, nurtured and cared for, ready to take on life’s challenges—and your God-given role is key!
Doing Groups Together Session #5:
How Do I Do It? Skills for Leading a Group
Prepare by praying for every member in the group, doing the lesson, and choosing options that fit your group. Greet people warmly as they arrive. Open with introductions. Guide prayer—and reading—but don’t call on anyone or go around the circle. Always be first to share a prayer request. Facilitate discussion by asking for volunteers, being patient with silence, affirming every response, and modeling the depth of sharing you desire. Draw out the quiet, rein in the talkative, and keep practicing these skills.
Doing Groups Together Session #6:
What’s Next? Looking Forward
To determine what’s next, consider where the group is now and where you’ve been by having each person share what’s hot (what they enjoyed, learned, or can praise God for) and what’s not (a problem, a challenge, or something they’d do differently). Say what your next step will be; include thoughts about what you would like God to do in you and/or in your life. Then give every group member an opportunity to do the same. Finally, know that CityRise appreciates your taking the risk to let God work through you.
Weekly Leadership Lifters
Added support to lead effectively.
Leadership Lifter 1: A Step of Faith
If this is your first time leading, don’t panic. You have the Holy Spirit and tools like this Leadership Lifter, the “Leaders, Watch This First” on the website, and Leadership 101 at the back of study guide offering you practical tips and biblical encouragement as you prepare to lead. Today, for instance, Kathleen covers welcoming first-timers, introductions, the group agreement, shared ownership of the group, the open chair exercise, and the truth that God will be with you as you lead!
Leadership Lifter 2: God Will Be with You
Make time for “Leaders, Watch This First” on the website and Leadership 101 at the back of the study guide if you haven’t yet reviewed those resources!
Kirby has some great ideas. Again, have everyone introduce themselves, with first-timers saying how they heard about the group and others sharing one thing they got out of the first meeting. Kirby also addresses subgrouping (breaking up into smaller groups for prayer) and asking for volunteers to keep track of the group’s Prayers and Praise, to organize a group social, and to host. Also, pray for yourself and your group as you prepare. Know that God will be with you as you get ready and as you lead.
Leadership Lifter 3: Making Prayer Time Comfortable
The resources “Leaders, Watch This First” on the website and Leadership 101 at the back of the study guide are well worth your time!
Key to building community—key to sharing life—is praying for one another. Ben offers three tips that will make prayer time more comfortable for everyone. First, keep prayer voluntary. Don’t go in a circle ask, and don’t call on anyone to pray. Second, give people the option to pass rather than share a request. Third, be the first to share a prayer request. Your willingness to be vulnerable sets a good example. And remember you are serving Emmanuel, the God who is with you.
Leadership Lifter 4: Making God Smile
Find more leadership tips at “Leaders, Watch This First,” Leadership Lifter 1, and Leadership 101 are great resources.
In this Leadership Lifter, Alex reminds you not only that God will be with you as you prepare to lead and as you lead but also that your faith step makes God smile. In fact, every time we serve, we take a step of faith—and every follower of Jesus is called to serve. Simply put, serving is a matter of when, not if. Help members recognize and grow in their gifts by giving everyone the opportunity to serve during the Fight for It! series. Also, it’s not too soon to think about what your group will do after this study!
Leadership Lifter 5: Offering People the Love of Christ
“Leaders, Watch This First,” Leadership Lifter 1, and Leadership 101 are great resources.
Hearing the word evangelism can prompt stress, panic, and feelings of inadequacy. So Chris suggests we approach evangelism as simply and naturally offering people the love of Christ. We want folks who don’t know Jesus to understand His heart for the lost and to realize His desire to be their Shepherd and Savior. Chris calls us to pray for nonbelievers and, inviting us to rely on God, reminds us that Paul ministered not out of strength but out of weakness so people would put their faith in God, not a human being.
Leadership Lifter 6: Looking Forward and Back
With only one more meeting after this one, Robby addresses two timely matters. First, prepare the group to move forward. If you’re staying together, you’ve probably—ideally—chosen your next study. You might review the Group Agreement and suggest people consider changing their role in the group. Second, plan to celebrate next week with, say, an extra-special snack. And, as a leader, prepare to pray for each member at the last meeting and thank God for how He has worked during this time.
Leadership Lifter Bonus Session
When preparing to lead, don’t miss “Leaders, Watch This First,” Leadership Lifter 1, and Leadership 101 at the back of the study guide.
Take your leadership to the next level by implementing some of Dr. Magyar’s ideas: Challenge the group to spend more time reading the Bible between sessions. Propose additional study of something that came up in discussion or point group members to another Bible passage related to the week’s topic. Second, suggest that members review the lesson every day and ask God about how to act on what they’re learning. Third, encourage everyone to stay connected to God between sessions.