7 Things To Do Before Your First Group Meeting (Week 1 Checklist)

Hi Group Leaders,

Thank you for joining us at Re:Group last night! If you missed Re:Group or would like to catch one of the other breakouts, those will be posted soon.

The Fall Group Trimester has arrived. Groups kickoff this Sunday, September 18th, and meet for the next 9 weeks (until November 19th).

As you make your plans for week 1 of group, here is a quick checklist to ensure a strong start to the groups year.

1. PLAN A GROUP MEAL

  • The best way to start off the group trimester is by catching up over a meal.

  • Food makes for an inviting and relaxed atmosphere and natural conversation.

  • Connect with your group this week to plan what's for dinner.

2. CALL/CONTACT YOUR GROUP MEMBERS

  • Make sure to connect with your group about details for your first meeting: location, date, time, kids care.

  • Nothing beats a phone call before the first week to reconnect with your attendees and new prospective group members.

  • Maybe you could meet with new group members in the lobby on Sunday so they have a familiar face their first week in group.

3. BRING A PREASSIGNED VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

  • Download the Volunteer Schedule Template HERE.

  • Instead of asking for people to sign up for shared group responsibilities on the first night, bring a preassigned schedule to your first meeting.

  • Let people know they can connect with you as leaders if there is a schedule conflict or a role they are not comfortable serving in.

  • This is a great way to share leadership by sharing responsibilities for snack, childcare, hosting, and even facilitation.

4. DECIDE WHAT YOUR GROUP PLANS TO DISCUSS

  • This Community Group trimester we'll be discussing the following sermon series:

  • A Church That... (September 11 - October 30)

    • Description: What is Northridge Church all about? Who do we desire to be? Who should we be? "A Church That..." will define who we long to become so we can can be more like Christ within and outside our walls.

  • Schedule:

    • September 11 - Is a Family (Matthew 9:9-13)

    • September 18 - Is United (1 Corinthians 1, James 4, Ephesians 4)

    • September 25 - Loves People Far From God (Luke 15)

    • October 2 - Is A People In Progress (Colossians 1, James 1)

    • October 9 - Has Crazy Faith (Hebrews 11)

    • October 16 - Cares Beyond It's Walls (Acts 4, Matthew 22, Micah 6)

    • October 23 - Is Ridiculously Generous (1 Timothy 6, Philippians 4)

    • October 30 - Loves Life Change/Open Baptism (Galatians 1)

  • Getting To Know Your Bible (November 6 - 27)

    • Description: God wrote a book.The Bible is the most powerful book you will ever read. But maybe you've got questions: Can I trust it? How do I know it's really from God? How do I understand it? How do I make sense of it? How can I use it properly? We'll discuss those questions and more as we pull back the cover to reveal what God wrote.

  • Schedule:

    • November 6 - What Is The Bible & Can I Trust It? (2 Peter 1:12-21 & Luke 1:1-4)

    • November 13 - How To Read and Understand The Bible (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:12-21, James 1:22)

    • November 20 - The Main Message of The Bible (Luke 24:13-35)

    • November 27 - How We Should Use The Bible (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

  • Interested in a video study or discussing a book of the Bible?

    • View Bible Study Curriculum options HERE

    • View Video Curriculum options HERE

5. LOGIN & UPDATE YOUR GROUP INFORMATION ON MY.NORTHRIDGEROCHESTER.COM

  • Make sure your meeting time, location, meeting type (in-person/online), group description, and roster are updated. You can even load a group picture.

  • HERE is a short video tutorial on how to make updates to your group.

  • If you need help with this, let your coach know.

6. FILL OUT THE GROUP LEADER APPLICATION 

  • If you are new to Community Group Leadership and stepping into the role this year, please fill out the Group Leader application found at the link below.

7. PRAY FOR YOUR GROUP

  • All of our preparations will make little difference if God is not in it.

  • Before you finish reading this email, stop and take a moment to ask God to work in the hearts of each person in your group this trimester.

We are praying for and with you this week! 

What thoughts or questions do you have?

Email us or share your ideas on the Northridge Leaders Facebook Group.