Life Group Leaders Weekly
WEEK FIVE (February 18 - 24)
OUR MISSION
TO CULTIVATE
"MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS CENTERED ON GOD'S WORD AND PRAYER"
LIFE GROUP UPDATE
Hello Life Group Leaders!
We are already in week FIVE of Life Groups! That's more than halfway. Wow! I hope and pray that the Lord continues to do a good work in your groups and that we continue to recognize that every time we get together in Christ's name, that is by definition a 'Holy Moment.'
I am going to speak [type?] to you today on playing good DEFENSE as you care for your group. It's a little more of a sobering topic today, but absolutely essential. So, a few things:
1. Confidentiality - Now that you've been meeting for a few weeks and are likely getting more comfortable with members of your group, consider this: As group discussions continue, it might be good to simply reflect on the covenant and remind group members that what happens in group stays in group. Remember that nothing will destroy a group faster than a breach of confidence!
2. Speaking of Pit Stops - I know we are only entering week 5, but that is officially the halfway mark of the semester. If you ever have any comments, questions, suggestions, or just want to talk, please know that we are here to help any way we can. We are so encouraged to have such a strong core of Leaders who are committed to Christ and his people. We want to support you any way we can!
3. Prayer - If you haven’t divided into smaller groups for prayer and application you may want to do that this week. Possibly divide into men-only / women-only groups or simply two smaller groups. In three weeks we are going to engage the topic of PRIVATE LUST and will be encouraging you to divy into men/women prayer groups. We are hoping that isn't the first time that happens so consider doing that this week or next week. Not only that, people’s willingness to share and open up can increase in a smaller group setting. Also, you will hear more voices in prayer by breaking up this way.
Thanks Leaders!
In Christ,
Pastor Justin
TIP OF THE WEEK!
This Week's Tip of the Week - #5 "HOW TO LEAD YOUR GROUP WELL"
You have resources on 'Active Listening,' 'Prayer,' and 'Leading a Missional Group.' This week's resource is on continuing to lead your group well. It might be the pitstop you need to get reacquainted with our strategy and mission. Take special consideration to the last point on empowering others. Consider asking someone from your group whom you think would be an ideal candidate to serve as a leader in future semesters and consider asking them to lead for a week or two before the semester ends. Give it a look!
To see the full document, click the link below to go to our RESOURCES tab:
THINGS TO REMEMBER
1) LEADER/HOST TANDEMS - Remember that you are encouraged to meet together as a Leader/Host team each week independently of group time for planning, mutual encouragement, and post-group meeting evaluation. Remember that you are a TEAM! Lean on one another.
2) DRINKS WHEN PEOPLE ARRIVE
GOALS FOR THE GROUP MEETING
- Build Relationships!
- Discuss Homework - Remember, it's not about answering all the questions. Let the homework be a resource to help engage our mission statement, not an end to itself.
- Prayer - Also consider praying in smaller groups. This allows for more voices to pray, and also makes it less intimidating for those still learning to pray out loud.
- Finalize Planning For Service Projects & Socials
IMPORTANT DATES AND ANNOUCEMENTS
ATTENDANCE ROSTERS:
- Keep up the good work!
LEADERS WEBPAGE - "LIFE GROUP LEADERS WEEKLY:"
- Be sure to check out the weekly audio guides for an in-depth look at the homework questions. Be sure to check it out each week. Simply go to: http://hanfordcrc.org/lifegroups/leader-tools
SERVE & SOCIALS:
- Talk to your group about the Serve/Social contest for a chance to win the $250 gift card. Remember the hashtag #CRCLIFEGROUPS
FEEDBACK FORMS:
- none this week.
TEAM HUDDLE:
- Get together as a Leader/Host tandem and evaluate how things are going at the halfway point in the semester.
THIS WEEK in our Sermon Series "The Acceptable Sins of Christians"
Matthew 6:25-34
Title:
Worry, Anxiety, and Fear
Pastor's Notes:
Worry, anxiety and fear are common and acceptable responses by Christians and non-Christians alike to various situations in life. Yet Jesus indicates that they aren't acceptable. He said worry and fear shows a lack of faith. Yet no one would choose fear. And most with panic say it is unavoidable. Is there hope? Are there options? If so - what are they?
LIFE GROUP LEADER SERMON GUIDE NOTES & AUDIO - From Julie Mendes
Julie is sick with the flu so I (Pastor Justin) will be leading you this week.
- A PDF and Leader Audio is on our "Life Group Leaders Page" website.
- Nancy will also print off hard copies of these and place them in your mailbox.
- The link to the leaders page is also below:
SERVE/SOCIALS
Leaders and Hosts,
As you meet with your teams to complete your service projects and social events, be sure to take lots of pictures and videos! After that, here are two more things you can do:
- Send your pics and videos to Heather Thomas at: hnthomas.2002@gmail.com, and
- Post your pics and videos on Facebook with the hashtag #CRCLifeGroups (we will only be able to see the posts with the proper hashtag link). Also, be sure to express why you love your Life Group in the post.
Once all 10 groups have completed their service projects we will do a random draw for every individual email with videos/pictures to Heather and social media interaction from your group (max of 2 per individual).
The winner will receive a $250 gift card for your entire Life Group for a group social event.
Share the news with your team!!!
WE WILL START POSTING LIVE RESULTS NEXT WEEK
1. Carpenter/Mackey
2. Duyst/Wintz
3. Pickering/Kootstra
4. Kootstra/Zonneveld
5. DeJong/Fukano & Pever
6. Holden/Thomas
7. Neal/Bergman
8. De Valois/Rietema
9. Noland/teVelde
10. Schmidt/Minnema
The Life Group Coordinator Team
Sharon Johnson
Amy Breslow
Amy manages all training events along with Life Group promotions and sign-ups
Julie Mendes
Julie makes sure the homework guides and audios are prepared for your weekly Life Group gatherings.
Heather Thomas
Web Manager
Heather will run the Life Group webpage and manage the 'Service' and 'Socials' aspect of Life Groups.
LIFE GROUPS
Pastor Justin
Justin will work with the team to carry out the vision of First CRC and will assist Coordinators in their respective tasks and objectives.
About Us
Email: hanfordcrc@comcast.net
Website: www.hanfordcrc.org
Location: 2175 Leoni Drive, Hanford, CA, United States
Phone: (559) 582-4423
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HanfordCRC/