Hi Group Leaders,

Our Winter Community Group Trimester begins in just 1 1/2 weeks!

Our Winter Trimester is 11 weeks long (January 14th - March 30th), followed by a 6-week Spring Trimester (April 14th - May 18th).

Here is what you need to do to prepare for a great group launch.

1. Communicate With Your Group Members and Prospects

Send an email with the first week details - location, time, meal plans, childcare plans, growth goal's brainstorm.

Call or text each group member - checkin in, invite them back, and verify their group plans. Share the load - divvy up group members between leaders and apprentices for followup.

Invite prospective Group Members to meet you in the lobby on Sunday - Connect before your first group meeting. They'll be more comfortable and more likely to show up if they have already met you.

2. Decide What You Will Discuss

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

The Ripple Effect (January 7 - February 11)
Description:
- One drop of water spreads a ripple that continues much further than its initial impact. The greatest ripple our world has ever seen began with the message of the gospel. But what is the gospel, and why does it matter? Does it really make a difference in our lives, city, and world? If so, how can we practically spread the gospel to everyone? In this series, we’ll explore the good news of the gospel and learn how we can take that good news to the world.
Schedule:
- January 7 - When Your Faith Is Stale (Romans 6:5-11)
- January 14 - Does Your Heart Break? (Matthew 9:35-38)
- January 21 - What Makes Christianity Compelling? (John 13)
- January 28 - Loving Your Neighbors (Selected Texts)
- February 4 - Overflow (Psalm 23:5, John 7:37-38)
- February 11 - Going Public With Your Faith - Open Baptism (Acts 2)

Dear God (February 18 - March 24)
Description:
- Talking to God sounds simple, but many of us struggle with prayer. We don't know what to say. We wonder if God hears us. We wonder if our prayers really make a difference. We get bored and distracted. How do I know if I'm doing it right? In this series, we'll explore these questions and look at practical ways we can develop a meaningful and effective pattern of prayer.
Schedule:
- February 18 - My Problems With Prayer (Matthew 26:39-44)
- February 25 - The Necessity of Prayer (John 15:4-8)
- March 3 - Teach Me To Pray (Matthew 6:4-13)
- March 10 - Formed Prayers - Praying Scripture (Selected Texts)
- March 17 - Specific Prayers - Alone and With Others (Selected Texts)
- March 24 - Dangerous Prayers (Psalm 139)

Interested in a video study or discussing a book of the Bible?
- View Bible Study Curriculum options HERE.
- View Video Curriculum options HERE.

3. Plan Your Weekly 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. Brainstorm Growth Goals Ahead of Time

Give you and your group members time to brainstorm their own growth goals before you set them. Send a link to these goals in your first email or a text: www.northridgeleaders.com/growth-goals

If you just try to decide a goal on the spot, you may experience less impact.

Encourage goals that are specific, have a due date, have a clear plan, and have an accountability partner to encourage follow through.

5. Invite Prospective Leaders to Re:Group on February 4th

Do you have apprentice leaders or prospective leaders who you'd like to join you as a Group Leader?

Encourage them to attend Re:Group at our Webster Campus on February 4th as we talk about Cultivating Relationships in our group.

6. Remind Everyone of The Vision For Community Groups

Reminding your group members of the purpose of groups should be something you communicate regularly, throughout the trimester and especially at the beginning of each trimester.

Remind them of the purpose: Apply the Bible, Build Relationships, Care for Others.

Reminder them of the structure: start and end times, expectations for involvement, prayer time, social connections, childcare plans.

Remind them that groups are not just about us and we want to make room for others to join us.

These reminders will be included for review in your Week-1 discussion plan on our Group Leaders website.

How Can We Help You?

How is your group going? Are there any challenges or issues you or your group are struggling with? Reach out to your coach to setup a meeting. We'd love to help!