05.
POST INVITE PREP
In this section, you will be given very practical suggestions and tips for leading well. We have found that by automating and creating reminders, leaders are able to take the stress of remembering each step, thus eliminating stress and adding focus on the things that matter most. If you follow these steps of automation, we guarantee that leading will be less stressful and group attendance will be improved.
STAY CONNECTED
It is critical that your group stay connected to each other and not just to you as the leader. There are many different ways to do this and they will all depend on your group dynamics. Some groups have been successful at using social media platforms, but if your group does not use social media, don't force them. Some ways that have worked for other groups are outlined below:
PLAN
Now that you know your meeting day, place, and time, you can plan out your group
and schedule. Creating calendar invites with all pertinent information helps eliminate
confusion and questions, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
and schedule. Creating calendar invites with all pertinent information helps eliminate
confusion and questions, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Tip: We prefer using a calendar app, as it allows you to invite each member by entering their email address. If you use an app, you can also include the link to all online meetings in this invite. This creates a simple way to have all data in one place, not only for you but for your members.
For each step below, set up calendar reminders for yourself to streamline the process, save time, and avoid forgetting a task. You can even set up email templates to copy and paste for each reminder.
1 week before your study:
Email and remind group members to be studying and preparing for the next session (remember, these study sessions are bi-weekly).
Tip: We prefer utilizing a reminder app. This ensures that we are reminded to
take care of this and it takes this important step out of our “things to remember to do.”
The day before your group study:
Group text a reminder of tomorrow’s meeting and any other message you may need to remind them about. This is extremely important! Believe it or not, attendance is usually affected negatively without this reminder being sent out. Never assume people know or remember.
Tip: We prefer utilizing a reminder app. This ensures that we are reminded to take care of this and it takes it out of our “things to remember to do”.
2 days after group study:
Reminder to set up a group meeting, in person if possible, for an intentional relationship-building time. This can be coffee, lunch, or a fun activity. This will be done on the “off” week from the study sessions. This can include the entire group, or several smaller groups getting together on their own. The activity or size of the group is not what matters; the point is to build intentional relationships for the purpose of discipleship, encouragement, and Biblical fellowship (See Session 7!)
Tip: We prefer utilizing a reminder app. This ensures that we are reminded to take care of this and it takes it out of our “things to remember to do”.
1 additional time a week:
Remind yourself to reach out to the group members individually via text, phone etc. Try to have a one-on-one meeting with one different group member at least once per week, and more if your schedule allows. Remember that modeling intentional relationships is one of the most important elements of group leadership.
Tip: We prefer utilizing a reminder app. This ensures that we are reminded to
take care of this and it takes it out of our “things to remember to do”.
Tip: We prefer utilizing a reminder app. This ensures that we are reminded to
take care of this and it takes it out of our “things to remember to do”.