Thank you for helping us form a new group at GroupLink.  We are so grateful of your willingness to serve as a host for your group for the next six weeks.  We are praying for you and want to help you along the journey!  Here are some articles we thought could be helpful for you and you start hosting your new group. :

• The Role of Your Coach
• Before Your First Group Meeting
• Focus on Relationship
• Childcare Checklist
• Using the Group Agreement 
• Facilitating Your First Meeting
• Five Things to do when Your Group Falls Apart

Check back here regularly. In the weeks to come, we will be posting more stuff to help you start your group well.

It happens. Lets talk about what to do when the level of your group commitments falls too low. Here are five things.

1. Don’t take it personally.
   People do not stick in a group for many different reasons.  They were only available for six weeks for a group.  Work or kids schedules change.  The group was not the right group for them.  I hear never few stories of someone leaving a group because of the leader.  I know our tendency is to blame ourselves however I would strongly urge you to give yourself grace. 
   
   
2. If someone chooses to leave during the first six weeks.
   When we start these new connection group, people have all the good intention to try a group a group for six weeks, but sometimes people are not able to fulfill that commitment.  If this does happen to you, most of the time they will contact you personally outside the group either by phone or email.  I would encourage you to share with that individual they always welcome back to your group and I would share with the rest of the group the individual decision in a way that is respectful to leave and helpful to the group as a whole.
   
   
3. Invite New People To Your Group
   If you have lost a couple of people in your group for whatever reason.  Ask the group who else could we invite to be a part of our group.  I would imagine a couple of people may know someone else who is not in a group that would love to be a part of a group.
   
   
4. Plan what’s next.
   It is ok when groups do not work out past the initial six weeks.  If your group does not work out past the initial six weeks, it not an indicator of your leadership or the important role community plays in your life and group member lives.  I would encourage you to sign for the next Group Connect, join another existing group or look for a Life Class starting in a couple of weeks. 
   
   
5. Talk to your Coach.
   This is another great conversation to have with your coach.  Remember they want to be your biggest cheerleader; they are not going to judge you.  They will be able to give you perspective, encouragement, and wisdom you need to move forward.

Before Your First Group Meeting . . .
I are excited about the new groups that were started from Group Connect this past week.  I am most excited for two things: First, for new host that will host their groups for the next six weeks.  I am excited to see what God will do in your and through your life as you host your groups.  Second, for new people who connecting in groups for the very first time.  I believe one of the core values of spiritual growth is connecting with others.  I am excited and praising God for what He has in store for our new groups over the next six weeks. 
I want to recommend three things to you can do before your first meeting to help your group start of on the right foot. 

1. Connect with your coach
   Your coach is there to be your biggest cheerleader and support through these six weeks.  It has been my experience the hosts that connect with their host over the next six weeks have the best experience.  Remember your coaches role is to support, encourage, and pray for you along this journey.  USE THEM!!!
   
   
2. Pray
   This may seem obvious, but pray for your group!  Pray for yourself as your prepare to host the group, pray for each group member by name, group for your group time together.  I believe God wants your group experience to a great experience.
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3. Follow Up With Your Group
   ​Make it a point to call all of your members the week before your first meeting.  Do not settle for voicemail and do not just email them.  Be enthusiastic when you call!  Get yourself ready to call.  It is amazing how even a quick phone call reminder will help your nerves begin to settle.

 
I believe doing these three things will your first group experience be successful. 

A common question for many small groups is, “What do we do with the kids?” Some people think that children in the Group are a blessing, for others having kids present can be distracting, so it’s important that every Group member clearly understands the arrangements that their group has made for kids.  There are typically three options for every group that faces this question of kids:

• Include the kids in your Group allowing them to answer questions, read Scripture, and pray.
• Arrange for childcare.
• Drop the kids off at your church. Check with your church to see if group childcare is provided.

The information that follows will help your group jointly determine what steps will be taken to address the question of childcare.  Because the safety of our children is so important, here are two important things to consider when arranging child care for your Small Group:

• When Children are “on site” consider having them supervised in an adjacent room with the door open.
• When Children are “off site” (i.e. another house) consider having them supervised by at least two responsible individuals at least one of whom is an adult.

Keeping these two things in mind, it is also important to plan ahead and make the right childcare choices for your group so that childcare will not become a burden. When deciding what to do for your group childcare, these are seven important questions for each group member to weigh in on:

What is the agreed upon childcare approach for our group? (Possible Answers)

• We hire a babysitter for the whole group
• Group members take turns caring for children
  
• Intergenerational—we include all children
  
• No children are present except for nursing infants
  
• Other options _____________________________​
  

Where should our group childcare be? (Possible Answers)

• In the same house as the Group, but in a separate room
• At another location (a babysitter’s, neighbor’s, Group member’s house, etc.)
• Wherever individual parents can arrange i
  

If applicable, who will pay for childcare? (Possible Answers)

• All of the members who have children
• The whole group passes around a hat
• No one—it’s free

What resources will be provided for childcare providers? (Possible Answers)

• Family friendly videos such as Veggie Tales or Disney
• Books for different age groups
• Games and toys for different age groups
• Coloring/activity books
• Other options _____________________________
  

What groups or individuals are available for childcare? (Possible Answers)

• Teenagers children of Group members
• “Grandparents”—older family or friends who are willing to help
• A rotation of members from our own group
• A rotation of members from other groups that meet on a different night of the week, and then we return the favor
• Other options _____________________________
  

Who is responsible for lining up the childcare? (Possible Answers)

• The Group leader
• A designated person in each group (possibly the apprentice)
• Other options _____________________________
  

What, if anything, would we like our children to be taught? (Possible Answers)

• Childcare provider should just look for “teachable moments”.
• Curriculum or Lessons purchased by the group
• Nothing in particular