TIPS FOR USING THE LIFE PATH STUDIES:

1) Choose Appropriate Curriculum! The Life Path Curriculum is designed for every stage of life and is something everyone can use regardless of where they are in their spiritual journey. Remember that as a Small Group, your main goal is biblical relationships. The curriculum is an effective tool to help your group grow in their relationship with Christ and be connected with others.

2) Facilitate …don’t Teach. Your primary responsibility is to create an environment where people feel comfortable and keep the meeting generally on focus. Hosting a small group is not about you doing all of the talking and answering all the questions for the group. In fact, you will discover that your group is most successful when the members do most of the talking.

3) Create an environment for healthy discussions. The thoughts and ideas of the group members are what will make the small group meeting more inviting. The most valuable thing you can do as a Host is to allow for an environment where members feel comfortable in sharing their thoughts. As a Host, keep all members engaged in the discussion and always be sensitive that the group does not shift into just a listening mode. Ensuring that your members are engaged will create opportunities for a richer discussion.

4) Briefly review last week’s discussion. Take a few moments at the beginning of each meeting to reflect on the previous week’s discussion. Follow up on the ‘Digging In’, ‘Living Out’, and ‘Lifting Up’ sections. Give group members time to share what they learned from doing the weekly homework.

5) Encourage involvement and Scripture Memory. Encourage each member to bring their own Bible to the group. Most of our Life Path Curriculum uses the New Life Translation Bible. Each lesson contains key Scripture verses in the ‘Digging In’ section. Make reading the verses as a group a part of each meeting, and take advantage of opportunities to challenge members to memorize the Memory Verse for each lesson. This will help develop a sense of belonging within the group and provide a level of accountability for completing the homework and memory work each week. As a host, be creative in ways to reward participation.

6) Ask members to pray and encourage each other during the week. Do Life Together! This is how you will begin to build authentic community and care within your Small Group and help encourage spiritual growth for yourself and the other members.

7) Rotate leading the discussion. Allow other people in your group to lead the lesson for the week. This will allow other people to have an opportunity to experience what it would be like to Host a group.

8.) Be Creative! Don’t get stuck in a RUT! Continually think outside of the box to make the group organic in nature.

9.) Remember, HAVE FUN!

If you have any other tips that have worked for you and your Small Group, please post them on the Discussion Board.