Grow Together Leadership

LEADER HUDDLE | NOV 18

Please plan to join us on Sunday November 18 from 6-7:30 PM in Mosaic Cafe for our late-fall Leader Huddle.

DINNER IS PROVIDED

I have invited PASTOR WAYNE KENT to come share with you that evening.  Please make it a priority to be there.

In other news, has anyone ever noticed that our Pastor’s name is the combination of Batman’s last name and Superman’s last name.  Just sayin.

Please click here to email me your RSVP

POSTURE SHIFT

I also wanted to encourage you as key leaders in our congregation to consider the possibility of attending the Posture Shift event on November 15-16.  I attended a staff preview of this event earlier this week and I believe this is going to be an excellent event.

You can learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/posture-shift-intensives-course-decatur-2018-registration-45857141946  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Thank you again for everything you do to lead those in your groups closer to Christlikeness. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you or your group in that process.

God Bless, JG

TELL ME MORE FINAL WEEK

This is the final week of Tell Me MORE.  Thank you for joining us for this series.  Below is the study guide and video for this week.  Please read beyond that for important information and upcoming events.

TellMeMore_StudyGuide_2018_CS6 copy

Please feel free to share this link with your group/class members.  There are also some printed copies at the Welcome Center.

Here are the videos for each week of the series.

 https://www.tellmemore.church/videos

Or, here is a direct link to the week 4 video:

Tell Me More Week 4: Wayne Kent from First Christian Church on Vimeo.

WHAT SHOULD WE STUDY NEXT? 

For those of you who have participated in the “In the Beginning” and “Tell Me MORE” studies, it’s time to make a decision with your group about what you will study next.  I have offered a few different ideas over the last few weeks, but I wanted to remind you that we have an entire digital library available to each of you for free.  You can access it at https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Library

A few other things to keep in mind:

• As you decide on your next study, I would highly recommend choosing two studies you are excited about as a leader and asking your group to vote on those two studies.  Too many choices can often lead to no choice being made.
• Please keep in mind that December is a full month and it can be difficult to meet every week during December.  If you are going to choose a longer study, you could take a brief break in December and get right back to it in January.

NEXT LEADER HUDDLE 

Our final Leader Huddle of 2018 will be Sunday November 18 from 6-7:30 in Mosaic Cafe.  Dinner is provided. Also, Pastor Wayne will be joining us that evening.  As key leaders in the church I have asked him to share with you things that has his attention in the life of our church.  Please make it a priority to be at this Huddle.  

TRAINING RESOURCES

I also wanted to remind you that Rightnow Media has a ton of free resources to help you grow as a leader.

Please use this link to check out the training options you see above and many more.

POSTURE SHIFT

Lastly, I wanted to encourage you as key leaders in our congregation to consider the possibility of attending the Posture Shift event on November 15-16.  You can learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/posture-shift-intensives-course-decatur-2018-registration-45857141946  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Thank you, – JG

Hello everyone, I hope your week is going well!

TELL ME MORE WEEK 3

HERE is the study guide for all four weeks of the Tell Me MORE series.

TellMeMore_StudyGuide_2018_CS6 copy

Please feel free to share this link with your group/class members.  There are also some printed copies at the Welcome Center.

Here are the videos for each week of the series. 

 https://www.tellmemore.church/videos

NEXT STUDY

Last week I shared four ideas I would recommend for your next Group study.  If you missed that, please check those out at the bottom of this post.   In addition to that, I also wanted to mention a study that my small group did last year that was quite good.  It’s called Breathing Room

Here is a description of the study: “In our attempt to get the most out of life, it’s easy to lose control of our lives. For most of us, breathing room feels more like a luxury than a necessity. In this series, Andy Stanley shows us how to create a breathing room in our schedules, our finances, and our relationships.”

If you would be interested in doing this study, you can find the videos here: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/230360, and please let me know and I can get you copies of the leader guide.

Thanks again and have a great week, – JG

Here’s a quick video to get us started this week.

Leader Blog Oct 11 from Jonathan Grunden on Vimeo.

TELL ME MORE WEEK 2

HERE is the study guide for all four weeks of the Tell Me MORE series.

TellMeMore_StudyGuide_2018_CS6 copy

Please feel free to share this link with your group/class members.  There are also some printed copies at the Welcome Center.

Here are the videos for each week of the series. 

 https://www.tellmemore.church/videos

Or, here is a direct link to the week 2 video:

Tell Me More Week 2: Lori Putnam from First Christian Church on Vimeo.

OTHER STUDIES YOU MIGHT LIKE…

Below are some studies I would encourage you to use with your group once you finish the Tell Me MORE series.  Please let me know if you have any questions about these studies or need the resources.  All the videos and many of the resources are available at https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Library  If you need a Rightnow Media account, please let me know.

TO LIVE IS CHRIST TO DIE IS GAIN (PHILIPPIANS STUDY)

https://player.rightnow.org/174656

JAMES by FRANCIS CHAN

https://player.rightnow.org/174491

FIRST PETER by KYLE IDLEMAN
https://player.rightnow.org/315919

LOVE LIKE THAT by LES PARROTT
https://player.rightnow.org/310017

Thanks, -JG

Hello all, I know it is uncharacteristic to get two of these posts in one week, but I wanted to update the Tell Me MORE items I sent you last Thursday.

HERE is the final version of the Study Guide:

TellMeMore_StudyGuide_2018_CS6 copy

Please feel free to share this link with your group/class members.  I will also have some printed copies at the Welcome Center.

Also, as mentioned, the videos for each week will be live here:

 https://www.tellmemore.church/videos

If it’s easier for you, you can also check the video out here:

Tell Me More Week 1: Bill Grueninger from First Christian Church on Vimeo.

Thanks again, JG

Hello all, I hope your week has gone well. Thank you to those of you who were able to make it to the Leader Huddle last Sunday night.  If you were unable to make it, I included some thoughts below.

TELL ME MORE…2

This weekend we begin our TELL ME MORE series.  During this study, we will tackle four big questions as we try to understand our own identity and who God really is:

• Who Am I? (What does the Bible say about me and God?)
• Who is Our Father? (What if I don’t know what a “good father” looks like?)
• Who is Jesus?
• Who is the Holy Spirit?

As we dive into these topics, we will discover a difference between the MORE we think we want and the MORE we really need. Whether it’s a better way of life, healthier relationships, direction in life, or deeper meaning, MORE is available to you.

The final copy of this study will be available in the next couple days, but I wanted to get some information in your hands, so the link below contains a “mostly” edited version.  I will send you the final version once I receive it.  

In the mean time, here is something to get you going.

TellMeMore_StudyGuide_2018_CS6 copy

Please feel free to download this and share it with your group/class, or we will have some paper copies available at the Welcome Center this weekend.

You will also notice that there are videos that go along with each week of the study.  Here is the link: https://www.tellmemore.church/videos.  Right now, they are still the videos from last year, but they will be updated in the next couple days.   If you don’t have a way to display these at your group (laptop, iPad, etc.), please encourage your group members to watch them before they come to group.

HUDDLE RECAP

At the Huddle last weekend we watched the video below on leading great discussions.  Please take a minute to check it out.

READING PLAN

A few of you requested a Bible reading plan for our upcoming series (cool idea).  While it is much simpler than the previous series’ reading plan, here are some passages you could share with your group to read prior to each weekend.

• Week 1: Exodus 3 and Psalm 139
• Week 2: Joshua 1:1-9
• Week 3: Colossians 1:15-23
• Week 4: Romans 8:1-17

Thanks again, JG

Hello everyone.  I hope your week has gone well.

ONE LAST HUDDLE REMINDER

I’ve heard from many of you regarding the Huddle, but I thought one more reminder couldn’t hurt.  PLEASE JOIN US THIS SUNDAY, Sunday SEPT 30 from 6-7:30 PM in MOSAIC CAFE for our SECOND LEADER HUDDLE of the school year.  Dinner is provided.

IN THE BEGINNING: JOSEPH

We have reached the final week of the “In The Beginning” series.  I have really enjoyed this series and particularly the weekly small group discussions.  As we close out the book of Genesis this week, we will be studying the life of Joseph.

Here is a link to download the week 4 Group/Class Guide: In the Beginning- Joseph

Please feel free to download this and share it with your group/class, or we will have some paper copies available at the Welcome Center this weekend.

TELL ME MORE

Next week we begin the Tell Me MORE series.  We will be discussing this at the Huddle this weekend and more details will be available here next week.

Thank you again for your faithful leadership of your group or class.  Have an awesome weekend, and I hope to see you Sunday evening at the Huddle.

Thank you, – JG

Hello everyone, and happy almost weekend. I wanted to start today by taking a minute to say thank you to each of you for making your group or class a priority.  I know all to well that we are each busy and have to divide our time, energy, and resources in multiple directions each week.  Thank you for making it a priority each week to lead and love the people of our church that God has entrusted to your care.  I feel humbled and honored to serve with each of you, so THANK YOU!!!!!

LEADER HUDDLE SEPT 30

PLEASE JOIN US NEXT SUNDAY, Sunday SEPT 30 from 6-7:30 PM in MOSAIC CAFE for our SECOND LEADER HUDDLE of the school year.  Dinner is provided.

PLEASE RSVP by clicking here by Wednesday Sept 26.  I would love to see you all there.

IN THE BEGINNING: JACOB

Thank you for taking the time to share feedback with me about the first two weeks of this series.  I have really enjoyed the first 2 discussions with my small group and I have heard good feedback from a number of you.  Please feel free to share with me.  I would love to hear how  your group is going.

Here is a link to download the week 3 Group/Class Guide: In the Beginning- Jacob

Please feel free to download this and share it with your group/class or we will have some paper copies available at the Welcome Center this weekend.

Thank you again!

-JG

Hello everyone, I hope your week is going well.  I also want to welcome those of you who are new to this weekly email.  

We launched three brand new small groups last weekend, and they each met yesterday for the first time, and had a great start.  Welcome to the leaders of those groups!!!!!!

IN THE BEGINNING: CREATION AND FALL

As I mentioned at the Leader Huddle and two weeks ago on the blog, we will be beginning the ministry year with a 4 week study on the book of Genesis.  We would love for each small group and class to join us in these studies for the next four weeks.  This study is intended to be used following this weekend’s sermon.

Here is a link to download the week 2 Group/Class Guide: In the Beginning- Abraham

Please feel free to download this and share it with your group/class or we will have some paper copies available at the Welcome Center this weekend.

GROUP TIP: HANDLING SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION DOMINATORS

Ever had someone in your group try to dominate the discussion?  If not, I’m a little jealous of you.  If so, welcome to the club.  In light of that, I came across this article that addresses “Group Dominators”.    Whether you have one or not, I would recommend taking a couple minutes to read this and think through how it might strengthen your conversations in group or class.

ARTICLE LINK: https://churchleaders.com/smallgroups/small-group-articles/332941-how-to-deal-with-a-discussion-dominator.html

Have a great week!

Thanks, – JG

Hello awesome Grow Together Leaders, I apologize that this is coming late Thursday evening, but the first study for the “In the Beginning” series is ready to go.

IN THE BEGINNING: CREATION AND FALL 

As I mentioned at the Leader Huddle and last week on the blog, we will be beginning the ministry year with a 4 week study on the book of Genesis.  We would love for each small group and class to join us in these studies for the next four weeks.  This study is intended to be used following this weekend’s sermon.

Here is a link to download the week 1 Group/Class Guide: In the Beginning- Creation and Fall

Please feel free to download this and share it with your group/class or we will have some paper copies available at the Welcome Center this weekend.

Thank you so much for joining us in this series.  I look forward to seeing what God will do with it.  Have a great weekend

JG