One of the essential elements of starting well in your group is the exercise of having everyone share their life story. However, for some, if not many in your group, this can be daunting, scary, unknown territory. Below are a number of tips and additional helps in walking you/them through this. 1. Do it! You … Continue reading Sharing Your Story
Suggested Easter Studies
The following suggest studies would be great to use in your Community Group, especially in lead-up or follow-up to Easter. The Resurrection is the defining high-point of our faith, upon which all of Jesus' claims and teachings hinge. These studies either approach the Resurrection from an apologetic standpoint (defending/giving evidence for), or specifically the importance … Continue reading Suggested Easter Studies
Every Leader Needs a Mentor
Every leader needs someone to come alongside them with words of truth and wisdom to encourage, admonish, and help them in their life and leadership. Biblically, that's the on-going discipleship process. A Community Director is a mentor of Community Group Leaders that can do just that, by engaging in intentional Gospel conversation with focused discussions … Continue reading Every Leader Needs a Mentor
Using the Journibles Series
Journibles are an effective way to combine personal Scripture reading and memory, with study and journaling. Inspired by Deuteronomy 17:18, where Moses instructs the future King of Israel to hand-copy the Law, this series provides an easy, but effective way to engage in Scripture in a different way. The format is simple: The right-hand pages of … Continue reading Using the Journibles Series
Starting Point – 2015 Church-wide Study
We're asking all Community Groups to participate in a church-wide study using the study Starting Point, sometime between January and end of April, 2015. Here's everything you need to know! What is Starting Point? Starting Point is an 8-week study intended to help participants explore faith and the Bible in a conversational environment designed to meet … Continue reading Starting Point – 2015 Church-wide Study
Suggested Christmas Studies
Available for checkout from PV Library… The Purpose of Christmas, Rick Warren 4 sessions | DVD/Study Guide Preview at CBD The Christmas Experience, Kyle Idleman 6 sessions | DVD/Study Guide Preview at CBD Access on RighNow Media The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas, Ann Voskamp 4 sessions | DVD/Discussion Guide Preview … Continue reading Suggested Christmas Studies
Announcing the Leader’s Toolbox
I'm excited to let you know about the Leader's Toolbox--a new, optional leadership training environment for Community Group Leaders at PV. Once a leader is grounded in the foundational skills and knowledge of group leadership, the ongoing process of continuing to grow come from practice and accumulating additional "tools" to add to their toolbox. That's exactly what … Continue reading Announcing the Leader’s Toolbox
Have the First Meeting
You’re ready to launch your group, but are you ready to lead the first meeting? First impressions carry a lot of weight, so this first meeting will begin to set the expectation for people going forward. Here’s a few important tips and a sample schedule to help make your first meeting a great success. Know … Continue reading Have the First Meeting
Lead Your Group Differently This Summer!
Summer is here! The kids are almost out of school, vacations are drawing near, the days are longer, and usually any semblance of “routine” goes out the window. Your group will NOT be immune to it! Most leaders tend to respond one of two ways: either cling more tightly to your usual group routines and patterns, … Continue reading Lead Your Group Differently This Summer!
Signs that Help is Needed
The recent government shutdown is just the latest of a series of life stressors (including long-term unemployment or underemployment, changing health care paradigms and other seasonal economic pressures) that can surface the need for help in those you lead. Financial needs of those within the church are increasing and in some cases are more … Continue reading Signs that Help is Needed