Here is a list of items to think through before you lead a group. This guide will help you with every step.
It Starts with You. I believe that God is doing amazing things through this ministry and the men and women who are on their knees before The Lord Almighty. Be strong and courageous.
Recruit Group. This is sometimes the most difficult part. There are some tips in Who should I invite, and how do I ask them? to help you recruit your group.
Meeting Times. You don't have to meet at the same time every week, but it makes scheduling a lot easier.
Plan for Getting Together outside of Meetings. Try to create opportunities to connect with your group as often as possible. Look for them on Sunday mornings or at the gym. It will seem a little awkward at first, but it will reap significant benefits by the end of the year.
Kick-Off / Launch / Retreat. The launch of your group is critical to success. Don't overlook this vital step. There is always more excitement at the beginning of the year. In the past, my groups have gathered with spouses and kids or did something fun like TopGolf, go-karts, or paintball.
Read the Leader Guide in Advance. The Leader Guide is a list of things I have learned over the years. I always tell my group that my spiritual gift is to mess up, so they don't have to. Learn from my mistakes and use what works. Read through the entire guide before organizing your group, especially if you have never been through the process. Most of the material is easily scalable, and you can read it fairly quickly.
Pray For Your Group. Last but not least, pray for your group. James 5:16 says, "…the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective". We desire to lead the men in our groups to become fully committed followers of Christ. That will not happen without prayer. (Read the section on How to Pray for Your Group.)
