Relational Foundations

PRE-MEETING PREPARATION

• Make sure you have access to the weekly video and can play that for the group. You will likely need a way to connect your computer or phone to a TV, such as with an HDMI cable or by using AirPlay or Chromecast.
• Look over this guide in detail, so that you know what to expect and how to lead your group through the material. Feel free to write down your own ideas or questions—this guide should give you some general directions and boundaries, but bring your own thoughts and insights too!

• Remind the group about the meeting beforehand. Because this is a new thing for most of your group, it will be helpful to have you communicating details and excitement about their involvement.

MAIN IDEA: Casting vision for Community Groups

• We need a group of people who know us deeply.
• We need to be intentional with our spiritual formation.
• Community groups focus on spiritual formation in the context of community.

AGENDA

Connection Time - 20 minutes

‍You can include snacks, ice breakers, and even games, or leave this time more open and organic.

‍Group Application - 40 minutes

WATCH the video together.

‍REVIEW the main ideas listed above as a group. Ask for general thoughts and responses. Allow space for natural discussion around the topic.

‍ASK: What are you hoping to experience as a part of this community?

‍For new groups: 

• SHARE some of your background and story. Where are you from? What is your family like? Spend time getting to know each other!

For groups that have already been meeting together for some time:

• ASK: How has your understanding of Christian community and spiritual formation changed as you have been part of this group?

Sermon Review - 20 minutes

‍Prioritize the Foundations content; if that takes most of your time, that is fine! If you have time left over, talk together about the sermon. Sermon discussion guides are updated weekly and available on the Groups page of our website.

‍Pray - 10 minutes

‍Ask if there are any prayer requests. Pray for individual requests, as well as for the group in response to your discussion. Give others the chance to pray if they’d like.

PRE-MEETING PREPARATION

• Make sure you have access to the weekly video and can play that for the group. Remember that most weeks, you will need a way to connect your computer or phone to a TV, such as with an HDMI cable or by using AirPlay or Chromecast.
• Look over this guide in detail, so that you know what to expect and how to lead your group through the material. Again, use this guide to lead your group, but feel free to add your own perspective to the conversation!
• Remind the group about the meeting beforehand. This is still a new thing for most of your group, so continue to send reminders for the first few weeks.

MAIN IDEA: Developing healthy relationships in your group

• Our cultural tendency is to prioritize efficiency over connection.
• Developing a true sense of community takes time.
• Intentionality, honesty, and commitment are important elements in this process.

AGENDA

Connection Time - 20 minutes

‍You can include snacks, ice breakers, and even games, or leave this time more open and organic.

‍Group Application - 40 minutes

WATCH the video together.

‍REVIEW the main ideas listed above as a group. Ask for general thoughts and responses. Allow space for natural discussion around the topic.‍

ASK: When you consider intentionality, honesty, and commitment:

• Which of these comes most naturally?
• Which is most difficult for you, and why?

ASK: Which seasons of your life have felt the most relationally satisfying? What do you think were some of the contributing factors?

‍For new groups: 

• ASK: What are some areas of life that have historically been difficult for you to be honest about?
• PREPARE your group to begin sharing a bit more about their faith journey next week. Ask each member to think about some of the most impactful moments of their life and relationship with God (both “good” and “bad” moments) over the next week so that individuals can begin to share next week.

For groups that have already been meeting together for some time:

• ASK: How has the time you have spent together so far affected your ability to be intentionally honest and committed with one another?

PRAY for your group to form meaningful relationships together. Give each person the opportunity to pray, if they would like to.

‍Sermon Review - 20 minutes

‍Prioritize the Foundations content; if that takes most of your time, that is fine. If you have time left over, talk together about the sermon. Sermon discussion guides are updated weekly and available on the Groups page.

‍Pray - 10 minutes

‍Invite any prayer requests. Pray for individual requests, as well as for the group in response to your discussion. Give others the chance to pray if they’d like.

PRE-MEETING PREPARATION

• Make sure you have access to the weekly video and can play that for the group. 
• Look over this guide in detail, so that you know what to expect and how to lead your group through the material. 
• Plan ahead. This week, NEW community groups should prioritize sharing more of their faith journey together. Don’t pressure yourself to get through every question.
• Have a plan for the NEXT meeting. In your next meeting (not this one, but the one after), you won’t have a video or any discussion prompts; once a month, we encourage community groups to do something to simply build relationships. This could be a dinner together, a game night, a family night (bring the kids!), an event around town—whatever you think will help the group connect! You’ll want to either have a plan to share with the group THIS week so they’re prepared, or spend time discussing together what you’d like to do then.
• Remind the group about the meeting beforehand.

MAIN IDEA: What Christian community looks like

• True community is intentionally focused on becoming like Jesus.
• As we focus on Jesus, we learn to live in unity.
• Vulnerability and authenticity make spiritual maturity possible.

AGENDA

Connection Time - 20 minutes

Group Application - 40 minutes

WATCH the video together.

‍REVIEW the main ideas listed above as a group. Ask for general thoughts and responses. Allow space for natural discussion around the topic.

‍ASK: In addition to the four things mentioned in the video, what other characteristics of community are important to you?

‍For new groups: 

• Let individuals SHARE a bit more about their faith journey. One or two people this week can each answer: what have been some of the most impactful moments of your life (both positive and negative), and how have those moments shaped your relationship with God?

For groups that have already been meeting together for some time:

• ASK: What have been some of the most meaningful moments in this group since you’ve been meeting together?
• ASK: How do you see this group succeeding in pursuing this kind of community? In what ways do you think the group can grow?

Sermon Review - 20 minutes

‍Prioritize the Foundations content, but if you have time, you can also use this week’s sermon discussion guide (found on the Groups page).

‍PREPARE the group for next week. Explain the goal of doing something to simply connect and have fun, and either share what your plan is or come up with one as a group.

‍Pray - 10 minutes

PRE-MEETING PREPARATION

• This week is all about building community and relationships. If your group missed a week, you can also use this week to make up for previous content.
• If you are still meeting in your regular location and don't know how to fill the entire time, feel free to follow the suggested agenda below.

AGENDA

Connection Time - 20 Minutes

Group Time - 40 Minutes

Similar to last week, make time for other group members to share about their faith journey if they haven't already.

REVIEW the previous few weeks.

• What has stood out the most?
• How have you been encouraged?
• How have you been challenged?

Sermon Review - 20 Minutes‍

(Guides are updated weekly on the Groups page.)

Pray - 10 Minutes