Growth Group Questions
First Night Schedule
1. Allow people to arrive, talk, and snack (6:45-7:00, 5:00-5:15)
2. Pray (1 min)
3. Introductions (7:00-7:15, 5:15-5:30)
- Have participants introduce themselves and share what they do, where they live, and why they decided to join the group.
- Play the “getting to know you” game. Suggestions: Families, two truths and a lie, Who am I, teams of truths, Bingo.....google or ask for suggestions
4. Go over the syllabus line by line (7:15-7:30, 5:30-5:45)
- Introduce the group study briefly.
- Let them know they can get a drink, go to the bathroom, and they don’t have to talk but.....it will help them grow and keep the group from being boring!
- Hand out the Growth Group syllabus and any other important information.
- Answer any questions and cover key dates.
-NEW Introduce the map to the group and start thinking about what you can do to start forming relationships with those in your areas and how you can GO/GIVE BACK
- Figure out a snack plan for the group. (snacks/no snacks. Rotation?)
- If your groups will start early at 6:45, decide that now!
* Note: Ask that all parents with children being babysat let you know ahead of time if childcare is not needed (so we can cancel the babysitter if needed)
5. Ask for Coordinators (7:30-7:35, 5:45-5:50)
- Explain and ask for volunteers for the different roles within the group: PARTY, GIVE BACK, GO
6. Hand out the Growth Group Promise (7:35-7:45, 5:50-6:00)
- Read through the Growth Group Promise line by line with the group.
- Explain the points as you read each one.
- Answer any questions.
- Ask for people to sign and turn it back into you. (Keep them in a safe place for the semester)
* If some people want to think/pray about it, that’s ok!
* If anyone tries to be difficult and disagreeable, offer to talk with him or her individually at the end of the meeting.
7. Hand out Babysitter forms as needed (1 min)
- We only need one signed per calendar year.
8. Explain the tools (7:45-7:50, 6:00-6:05)
- Make sure everyone knows about the Bible Memory app/group & Bible app/reading plan!
-NEW: Make sure everyone has access to RightNOW Media if not message Ben to get them set up.
- Encourage everyone to have a notebook ready and bring their bible!
9. Ask if everyone has an Accountability Partner (1 min)
- Explain what an accountability partner is:
** Someone (not your spouse or someone of the same gender) you regularly confess sin to and who challenges you to follow Jesus closer.
- If someone does not have one, discretely set them up with another person who needs one. Ask Ben if you need help!
10. Contact Info (1 min)
- Make sure you have all numbers and emails
11. Prayer (7:50-8:00, 6:05-6:15)
- Share prayer requests and pray together. Pray for your group & for the semester!
12. OPTIONAL (if time allows) Hang out (8:00-8:15, 6:15-6:30)
- Talk, snack, and relax
13. Group selfie!
If there is no picture....it never happened!
***Co-Leaders: Don’t forget to take attendance!
To learn to take attendance, go to www.theporch.info/attendance
1. Allow people to arrive, talk, and snack (6:45-7:00, 5:00-5:15)
2. Pray (1 min)
3. Introductions (7:00-7:15, 5:15-5:30)
- Have participants introduce themselves and share what they do, where they live, and why they decided to join the group.
- Play the “getting to know you” game. Suggestions: Families, two truths and a lie, Who am I, teams of truths, Bingo.....google or ask for suggestions
4. Go over the syllabus line by line (7:15-7:30, 5:30-5:45)
- Introduce the group study briefly.
- Let them know they can get a drink, go to the bathroom, and they don’t have to talk but.....it will help them grow and keep the group from being boring!
- Hand out the Growth Group syllabus and any other important information.
- Answer any questions and cover key dates.
-NEW Introduce the map to the group and start thinking about what you can do to start forming relationships with those in your areas and how you can GO/GIVE BACK
- Figure out a snack plan for the group. (snacks/no snacks. Rotation?)
- If your groups will start early at 6:45, decide that now!
* Note: Ask that all parents with children being babysat let you know ahead of time if childcare is not needed (so we can cancel the babysitter if needed)
5. Ask for Coordinators (7:30-7:35, 5:45-5:50)
- Explain and ask for volunteers for the different roles within the group: PARTY, GIVE BACK, GO
6. Hand out the Growth Group Promise (7:35-7:45, 5:50-6:00)
- Read through the Growth Group Promise line by line with the group.
- Explain the points as you read each one.
- Answer any questions.
- Ask for people to sign and turn it back into you. (Keep them in a safe place for the semester)
* If some people want to think/pray about it, that’s ok!
* If anyone tries to be difficult and disagreeable, offer to talk with him or her individually at the end of the meeting.
7. Hand out Babysitter forms as needed (1 min)
- We only need one signed per calendar year.
8. Explain the tools (7:45-7:50, 6:00-6:05)
- Make sure everyone knows about the Bible Memory app/group & Bible app/reading plan!
-NEW: Make sure everyone has access to RightNOW Media if not message Ben to get them set up.
- Encourage everyone to have a notebook ready and bring their bible!
9. Ask if everyone has an Accountability Partner (1 min)
- Explain what an accountability partner is:
** Someone (not your spouse or someone of the same gender) you regularly confess sin to and who challenges you to follow Jesus closer.
- If someone does not have one, discretely set them up with another person who needs one. Ask Ben if you need help!
10. Contact Info (1 min)
- Make sure you have all numbers and emails
11. Prayer (7:50-8:00, 6:05-6:15)
- Share prayer requests and pray together. Pray for your group & for the semester!
12. OPTIONAL (if time allows) Hang out (8:00-8:15, 6:15-6:30)
- Talk, snack, and relax
13. Group selfie!
If there is no picture....it never happened!
***Co-Leaders: Don’t forget to take attendance!
To learn to take attendance, go to www.theporch.info/attendance