Winter Trimester & Re:Group Kickoff Updates, Battling Loneliness As Christians
3 Ideas To Help Your Group Grow Spiritually & Relationally
Hi Group Leaders,
We are on the home stretch of the fall Community Group Trimester. 3 more weeks until the winter break begins (November 18).
As you look to make the most of your last 3 weeks, here are 3 ideas to help your group grow spiritually and relationally.
1. Prayer Partners
I've seen several groups, including my own, recently hand out 3x5 cards in the prayer time. Everyone takes a moment to write down their name and prayer requests before sharing them.
Then they exchange their card with another person in the group.
For those who have never prayed out loud, this is a great tool to make it easier to pray. All they have to do is read what their partner wrote.
To make sure that we don't forget to pray during the week, each group member is asked to reach out to their partner at least 1x during the week via text, phone call, or in-person to check on how their partner is doing and pray for them.
They can also put the 3x5 card in a visible place as a daily reminder to pray for them.
2. Acts Plan
As a Church we are teaching through the beginning of the book of Acts. Acts is 28 chapters long.
The book of Acts is perfect 4-week Bible reading plan to do with your group. We have 5 weeks left of the series.
Why not invite your group to do the Bible Project 28-Day Acts Reading Plan in YouVersion?
Each day my group has been reading this together, and sharing our takeaways in the YouVersion app so we can see what we are learning.
3. Celebrate Communion & Meal
This Sunday we are taking a look at what the first church looked like in Acts 2:41-47.
A huge part of the early church was eating in homes together and using bread and juice to celebrate communion.
Either this week, or before the group trimester is out, set up a meal and spend time meditating on the Gospel together through communion.
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!
1 Easy Way For Your Group To Serve and Connect
Hi Group Leaders,
One of the most frequent comments we get from our end-of-the-year Community Groups survey, is that people wish that they could have more connections together outside of their group meetings.
Well, here is one opportunity for your group to connect together and impact others; an opportunity to be missional with your group.
Our Brighton Campus Launch is just 1 month away, but there is a lot that needs to happen before then.
Would your group be willing to do a Brighton Campus serving project?
If so, reach out to our Brighton NYM Resident Josh Myles to coordinate: jmyles@NorthridgeRochester.com
Below is a list of some of the things we are working on and groups may be able to help with, including a meal train for the workers who are doing the finishing touches on the building.
Hanging all the TV's and connecting them to Chromecast and Network
Vacuuming every room
Vacuum brown furniture for the green room
Cleaning the gym floor
Setup and lint roll all of the auditorium chairs
Clean the bathrooms
Assemble furniture
Assemble cubby units for kids ministry areas
Set up tables and chairs in classrooms
Go room by room and clean/dust/set things up appropriately
Wipe down the kids playland with clorox wipes
Move toy bins from closet into appropriate rooms (wipe down bins)
Setup cubicles and desks in the office spaces
Build the shelves for the cafe prep area and set them in place
Check on the gas attached to the stove in the kitchen and make it work
Find high top tables for the kids min check ins, connect and gathering room
Setup the connect space, t-shirt racks or something for drip to sit on
Fully clean kitchen, wipe down everything
Wash windows inside and out
Stretch fabric on 6 acoustic panels for the auditorium
Dust or wipe down the ceiling in the auditorium
Inventory cleaning closet
How Can We Help You?
How are your first few weeks of 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!
7 Ways To Build Relationships During The Holiday Break
Why Group Relationships Are Ineffective
Hi Group Leaders,
Thanks for taking a minute to stay-up-to date on what's happening in Community Groups at Northridge!
Communion Reminder
We would love all groups to pick a week to celebrate communion together the 1st or 2nd week of May.
We have a supply of communion elements for any group that would like some. Just reply to this email if you'd like some for your group and we'll get them to you. First come, first serve.
Do Community Group Relationships Really Make a Difference?
A few weeks ago I raised this question, "Do Community Group Relationships Really Make a Difference?". Maybe you've found yourself wondering whether it is worth your time to attend or lead a Community Group, especially when you already have other good relationships in your life outside of group.
In my first post, I talked about 1 reason Community Groups relationships are not very effective: We focus on meetings over relationships.
Read Part 1 HERE. In the article I emphasize the importance of connecting relationally both inside and outside of group meetings.
I think we would all agree, the more time we spend with someone, the more of an impact they will have in our lives, positively or negatively.
"We can impress people from a distance, but we can only impact them up close." - Howard Hendricks
We see the impact of close relationships throughout scripture:
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. - Proverbs 12:26
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.- Proverbs 27:17
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. - Proverbs 13:20
The difference your group relationships will make is going to be limited if:
your group meetings are infrequent (reconsider canceling that meeting)
group attendance is inconsistent (which has been more of the case for many groups since COVID)
you don't talk outside group
you don't text
you don't see each other on Sundays
you don't get together outside of group
So, when we ask the question, "Do Community Group relationships make a difference?," much of the answer to that question depends upon how much time we are spending with each other!
If you are seeing limited fruit and life change inside your group, it could be do to the lack of relational connection outside of group.
But here you may be raising the tension:
"I get it, if I don't spend much time with my group members, our relationships are not going to be as impactful, but who has that much time? I've already got other good relationships with family and friends. Why shouldn't I just focus on those relationships instead of trying to spend more time with the people in my group?"
That's what we'll discuss next time.
What do you think? Do Community Group relationships make a difference? Are they worth our time and investment? What would you say?
I'd love to hear your thoughts as I attempt to answer those questions. Email me HERE.
How Can We Help?
How are you doing? Is there anything we can help with? Reply to this email or reach out to your coach.
If you haven't had a chance to meet up with your coach about how your group is doing and what's next for your group, we'd love to connect.
Upcoming Community Group Dates
Spring Community Group Trimester: April 3 - May 28th (8 Weeks)
Red Wings Baseball Game (Group Leader Thank You): Friday, June 3, 7:05pm (RSVP HERE)
Keep up-to-date with what happening in our group ministry on the Group Leader's Website, Facebook Group, and Podcast.
Additional Resources
How COVID Has Affected Our Friendships—and What to Do About It
Only Half of My Group Showed Up Last Night
9 Ideas To Change Up Group This Week
How Do You Get People To Show Up To Group?
14 Outdoor Social Ideas For Your Group
While not overlooking the depth of community we can experience in an online setting, it is not healthy to live in a world limited exclusively to online interactions.
We were created to walk side-by-side, face-to-face, in the presence of others physically and not just digitally.
But, it's the middle of winter in Rochester and we are still in the middle of a pandemic.
55% of Northridgers are attending in-person at our Rochester and Webster Campuses, while 45% of Northridge is attending the Online Campus.
Gathering in-person with other's is still a challenge, but many people are willing to meet in-person in an outdoor context.
So, as you look to create community with those in your group, here are some ideas for you to meet in-person, outside, where you can do life side-by-side with each other.
14 Outdoor Social Ideas For Your Group
Go for a Walk
Go for a Hike
Go Snow Shoeing
Go Sledding
Go Skiing
Go Snow Tubing
Go Ice Skating
Visit A Nature Center
Visit the Zoo
Go Fishing
Go Hunting
Celebrate Maple Syrup Weekend
Grab a Hot Drink and Go to A Park or Playground
Visit A Garden and Enjoy The Flowers in the Spring
Have you tried any of these? What would you add to the list?
Share your ideas on the Northridge Leaders Facebook Group.
Upcoming Sermon Series
How to Be Rich (February 7-21)
Amazing Grace (February 28-March 7)
The Courtroom (March 14-April 4)
Trimester Dates
Winter: January 17 - March 27 (10 weeks)
Spring: April 11 - May 29 (7 weeks)
Additional Resources
Making A Hard Call
The point if this post is that I'd love every Group Leader at Northridge to go all out to invite others to join them in their group!
Simply stated, my goal for this post is that you would grab your phone and call everyone in your group who is not attending your meetings, and invite them to check out your group, or a group.
Most groups have people on their group roster that either have:
never attended
not attended in a long time
only attended a few times
or just expressed interest in group for the first time.
On top of that, each Sunday our services are full of people who lack relationships with other Christians who could help them grow in their faith.
Why do I want every group to go all out to invite those disconnected to connect?
Why go to the trouble of finding time in our busy schedules to pick up the phone and call these people?
Because people can't grow spiritually if they don't connect relationally.
And people can't connect relationally without first establishing a relationship.
Relationships begin with an invitation.
When Jesus began his ministry, he found a few men and said, "Come, follow me."
Then those men called their friends and family and invited them to come and follow Jesus.
Jesus’ relationships began with an invitation.
In a season when people are more disconnected than ever, we want to go all out to help as many people as possible step toward relationships, not away.
Picking up the phone can be hard. But will you make the hard call?
As Groups Coaches, we are going to work more diligently this fall to track those who are not connecting, and help them connect.
You'll likely be hearing from your coach in the weeks ahead asking you about people disconnected from your group.
Thanks for helping us make disciples through phone calls.
Relationships begin with an invitation. Thanks for making the hard call!
P.S. Many people don't listen to their voicemail anymore, so if you get a voicemail, try sending a text after. They may be more likely to see your text than hear your voicemail.
P.S.S. If your group doesn't work for them, let your coach know. We'd love to find a group that does work for them.
Additional Resources:
Still deciding on curriculum? Here are some suggestions:
Sermon Discussion
A Tale of Two Brothers (September)
The Life of Moses (October - November)
The Bible Project "Church At Home"
A free study for small groups, churches, and house churches to help you continue to engage in Scripture with a multi-lesson Bible study
Access a weekly video, podcast, Scripture, and discussion guide HERE
Anthology
Free video studies from Andy Stanley and Northpoint Church
Viewable on Roku, Apple TV, Google Chrome, Apple and Android devices
Access all studies HERE
Right Now Media
Preview new and popular video studies HERE
I Said This, You Heard That
This 6 session video study explores how your wiring affects what you say, how you listen, and how others hear you
Watch video series on Youtube HERE
Access discussion guide HERE
Book
Book of the Bible
HERE are some recommended discussion guides for discussing a book of the Bible together
Miss Re:Group or want a refresher?
Watch or listen here:
Have you checked out our Group Leader Podcast?
Listen to our past Re:Group Leader Training content: large group and breakout sessions
Access HERE
Have any other questions?
Contact your coach or search the rest of our our leader page.
Who Are The People That Help Us Grow The Most?
This Is How We Grow
6 Ideas For Sharing Your Stories in Group
What Your Group Members Aren't Telling You
Why Confronting Is Showing Love And How To Do It Well
This Group Leader article was written by Nancy Simmonds who serves on staff at Northridge as a Community Group Coach, Counselor, and our Webster Kids Director. Nancy shares highlights from a counseling article on confrontation I think you'll find helpful as you care for your group members.
In a recent issue of the Journal of Biblical Counseling, J. Alasdair Groves shares why confronting someone about their sin is actually the most loving thing to do. He goes on to share some guidelines on when to confront and when not to, as well as how to confront lovingly for the good of the other person.
Here are some highlights from this article:
The Bible is clear that confronting can be a "vital element of love."
"Refusing to confront a fellow sinner stumbling toward destruction is not kindness, politeness, or being non-judgmental; it is selfishness. It places our desire to avoid discomfort ahead of the good of another person."
We have natural tendencies to lean either away from or toward confrontation:
Some of us are hesitant to confront but we often end up judging from a distance, gossiping, avoiding the person or just pretending the problem doesn't exist.
Some of us appear to thrive on confrontation, always ready to put others in their place. We can be full of harsh words, leave a string of broken relationships in our wake, and can be short on grace.
No matter what direction you lean, Alasdair shares some helpful insights on how to confront well.
When Should You Confront?
NOT every time. We are all sinners in need of a savior and we need to humbly remember that! At each opportunity we have a choice to let love cover the offense OR confront the offender.
When To Cover:
"The vast majority of our responses to sin ought to fall into the category of covering an offense." Covering means continuing in the relationship without making an issue of their sin.
When To Confront:
Confront when it is causing significant harm to the offender's relationship to you or others. However, you may want to ask these questions first:
How close is your relationship?
Who else is in their life that could speak into the issue?
How big of a problem is it?
How Should You Confront?
Here are 10 ways to confront (from least to most forceful):
The first step is to prepare your own heart, NOT think about what you want to say! Loving confrontation is always gentle and focused on the other's good.
Ask genuine questions that invite self-reflection, not judgmental leading questions.
Encourage them in what they are already doing about the problem.
Show compassion for other's temptations.
Exhort - urge them to pursue God-pleasing behaviors and attitudes.
Express concern - describe the behavior and your concern.
Warn - call attention to specific negative consequences of their behavior.
Plead - appealing to the relationship that the two of you have.
Rebuke - name the problem, call it wrong and insist it stop.
Pull back - change how you relate to the unrepentant person.
Ultimately, the aim in confrontation is help the other person repent - turning from their sinful ways to God's ways for God's glory and their good!
If you found this helpful and you want more details, you can download J. Alasdair Groves's article for $1.99 here: Nine Ways to Confront in Love, A Primer for the Timid.
Nancy Simmonds
Community Groups Coach
Here are a few additional resources you may find helpful:
How to Have "The Talk:" Overcoming the Dread and Delay of Crucial Conversations (Breakout)
This breakout will give you tools and approaches that prepare for emotionally charged conversations. It will introduce strategies to transform anger and hurt feelings into powerful dialogue, making it safe to talk about almost anything, so you can be persuasive without being abrasive.
How To Address Unhealthy Dating Relationships (Breakout)
What do you do when someone in your group makes a bad relationship decision? Whether it is dating an unbeliever, living with their boyfriend, sleeping with their girlfriend, or dating while in the process of getting a divorce. This breakout will give you a Biblical framework for how to think about these issues and practical steps on how to carefully address them with the members of your group.
Discipleship & Counseling Training (Northridge Equip Class - Begins March 3rd)
This ten week training will teach you how to compassionately and skillfully use God's word to help people grow and change for God's glory, whether through casual conversations, mentoring, leading a group, discipleship, or counseling.
Do You Have A Question?
We would love to be of assistance to you. Contact your Group Coach HERE or search our website to find other counseling resources, Group Trimester dates, curriculum options, leader tips, group forms, sermon discussion questions, past leader training content, and much more!
