Don’t let fear stop you!
For many, starting a life group in your home can feel intimidating. You may have all kinds of questions buzzing in your head. What should we study? Who is going to lead the group? Am I qualified to teach? What if nobody shows up? What if a big group shows up?!
Pray!
Ask God to bring those who hunger and thirst for Him. Ask that all who come will feel His Presence. Remember – where two or more are gathered together, the Lord is in the midst. Trust Him to guide you. Keep the Lord the focus of your life and let Him shine for everyone who comes through your door.
Have a shepherd.
You’ll need a teacher or facilitator. If that responsibility is going to be yours – be prepared! Study Scripture daily. If you’re using a workbook, do your homework. Anticipate possible questions and have some ready to challenge attendees and keep the conversation rolling. Remember – nobody knows it all. We are all students of the Word, no matter how many times you’ve read the Bible.
Roll out the Welcome Mat.
Turn on the lights! Unlock your front door. Welcome everyone who comes like they are a family member (which they are if they’re already Christians or soon – hopefully – will be). Make everyone feel at home. Let them kick off their shoes and go barefoot if they want. Throw those decorative pillows on the floor. Make sure you have extra chairs if more come than expected. Put out some refreshments. Coffee, tea, cookies, brownies, whatever attendees might like. Don’t be surprised if your group members start bringing things to share. We’ve had evenings when the kitchen counter looked like a dessert bar! A fellowship time of nibbling at something yummy and talking about whatever has been happening in their lives connects people. It creates a family.
Have a schedule.
Set a time for fellowship and for Bible study and keep it. We spend 30 minutes “hanging out” in the kitchen and then head for the living room. Cellphone ringers off, but remember, some use a Bible app – a good thing if you want to check out different translations. Open in prayer and spend an hour on focused Bible study. If someone wanders off on a rabbit trail, gently guide them back to the path you’re studying – though sometimes the rabbit trail needs to be explored. If so, employ Scriptures that apply.
Establish trust.
What is said in the group stays in the group!
What to Study
The Bible! Pick a book from the Bible and dive in. We have done almost every book in the Bible over the last thirty-nine years, as well as topical studies. We have researched and taught, and we have used workbooks by known and well-respected Bible teachers. When we are nearing the end of a study, we suggest other books we can study and ask the group what they want to study next. You will never have to worry about running out of things to learn from Scripture!
Party on!
Potlucks present a feast and are always a wonderful time of fellowship. Have a couple during the year. We have a potluck before Christmas break and another before we break for summer. We have gone year-round but learned attendees were often traveling or involved in numerous activities with children or grandchildren during summer. The benefit of a summer hiatus is everyone is rejuvenated and ready to dive back into study in late August or early September. (You might consider giving out a book to read during summer break – The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, for example.)
Close in Prayer
Consider having a prayer notepad so people can write out their prayer requests and then you can email the list to everyone.