Core Groups Leaders Training:
Youth Edition
Know Them, Grow Them!
Vision:
We are a close-knit community of believers in spiritual revival, growing stronger in God’s word and prayer, supporting and loving one another, and fulfilling the Great Commission.
Mission:
To provide a nurturing atmosphere where people are challenged and equipped to develop their relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and Christian community, providing accountability, support, godly counsel, and friendship.
Name:
The name Core signifies the core values you maintain, holding fast to your foundation of life, sustenance, and growth. The core holds it all together. One definition is “the central, most important part of something.” In some cultures, youth refer to their main group of closest friends as their “core.” Core groups (CGs) provide that Christian community that is close to you, that keeps you accountable, and that provides a nourishing environment that provokes your spiritual and relational growth. Your CG provides friendships and your central foundation that is a platform for your godly development. C.O.R.E. also represents the core values of CGs Ministry—Community, Openness, Righteousness, and Evangelism.
Our Commission:
Matthew 28:19—Therefore go and make disciples [“teach all nations,” KJV] of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Society’s Need for CGs (According to North Coast church in California):
The Biblical Context:
The early churches met in homes, which was basically a small group format.
· Christian community
· Sensitivity to each others’ needs
· Accountability
· Studying the word together
· Praying for each other
Historical Context:
· Things were always very small.
· Because of the phenomenon of large churches, the need has arisen to return to small group discipleship structures for healthy spiritual growth.
The current American culture makes small groups needed.
1) Urbanization
· With more people moving into the cities, there is more anonymity.
o No one knowing you, no one knowing your business, no accountability for behavior
o Just another face in the crowd (ex. thieves)
o Not getting caught
2) Mobility
· People don’t have roots. Most people in your church are from out of town so they don’t have their family around them to keep them connected.
3) Automobiles
· You no longer go to the near, but you go to the better.
4) Large churches
· Slipping through the cracks
· Coming in and no one learning your name
Let’s Do It!!!
Small groups at WOF=Core Groups (CGs)
When & Where?
Thursday nights:
1) EpiCenter recreation (7:00-7:30)
2) Worship (7:30-8:00)
3) Small groups (8:00-9:15)
Structure of CG Meetings:
· Hugs and opening prayer—3 minutes
· Snacks distribution—2 minutes
· Sharing (prayer requests & life updates)—15 minutes
· Discussion—40 minutes
· Prayer—15 minutes
How Often?
· 3 times a month
· Youth service once a month (Separated services for middle school students versus high school and college students)
Open Model:
Open—If you like it, bring your friends! When it grows past 16 people, the primary leader and the apprentice (becomes a primary leader) separate and split the group.
Group Size Stats:
ü 12 is the ideal number to maintain the intimacy and transparency of CGs.
ü At 16 people, the tendency is decline in attendance.
ü At fewer than 8 people, it becomes too casual, more like a hang-out than a CG.
Method:
o Table sign-ups (We need YOU! J)
o Online
CG Curriculum:
v LIVE curriculum from Simply Youth Ministry
· Icebreakers, illustrations, creativity to start
· Thought-provoking texts before meetings
· Summary emails to parents after meetings
· Leader preparation guides
· Movie clips, t.v. show clips, etc.
· Ability to edit the curriculum as you see fit
· Handouts for students
· Online only resources to be printed
v Covenant Core- Integrated 6-weeks curriculum; February-March annually
What about when we expand?...
Choosing New Leaders:
· If there is a possible apprentice/future leader in the group, first discuss it with your CG directors.
· If approved, you may ask the person if he/she is interested and then begin the apprenticeship.
· What are the leader qualifications?
o Main Criteria: spiritually sensitive and relationally savvy; able to create an environment conducive to growth
o Committed to Christ for at least a year
o Committed to integrity, godly character, and spiritual growth
o Faithful church attendance
o Skilled in leadership or facilitating
o Skilled in relating to and connecting with others
o Submissive to authority
· Recommendation forms (on the website)
Commitment:
· After 8 weeks, leaders are asked to commit to serving 1 year. Each year, they can choose to renew their commitment or take a break.
· Successful groups stay together for one year. The group can then choose if they want to spend another year together or try a different CG.
· If students have attended their group for 3 sessions and still don’t like it, they can move to a different group.
Breaks:
· The week of Thanksgiving
· The week of Christmas
· The week of New Years
· Exam weeks in May
Outings:
· Quarterly (minimum) socials
· Yearly (minimum) service projects
***The first social for each new group is held during its first month.
Your Job!
Role: To cultivate godly group relationships
Strategy: To promote participation and Christian learning
CG Success: Spiritual growth
Teaching approach:
o We are NOT preaching, but we are RELATING to them on their level, getting in their heads, and guiding them in the ways of the Lord in an engaging fashion.
o Ask MANY questions to learn their perspectives so that you can meet them where they are and guide them from there. Remember, you should identify where they are so that you can meet them there and lead them higher.
o Don’t make them feel stupid when they share misguided opinions, but simply follow up their response with an explanation of the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).
o Use many personal testimonies so that they know that you are human and have overcome struggles also. Transparency often invites relatability.
o NO judgment or gasps at anyone’s stories
o Love, laughs, fun, advice, teaching, and friendship are what we stand for. Befriend them to win them!
Teaching Aids
· They are youth so let’s grasp their attention using memorable visual aids!
· Examples:
o Movie clips
o Props
o Story-telling and mental images (in a colorful and captivating manner)
o Song lyric analysis
Leader Responsibilities:
· Attending each quarterly leaders’ meeting
· Serving every Thursday night (supervising 7-8 p.m., leading group 8-9:15 p.m.)
· Optional: Buying refreshments bi-weekly (ex. chips, juice, cookies, fruit)
· Preparing for your group discussion
· Supporting your group members (phone, text, major life events, hospital visits)
· Ensuring that accurate attendance is submitted weekly (Mondays by 5 p.m.)
· Organizing the clean-up of your area (if there are snacks)
· Helping with recruiting and registering new members (sign-up table)
· Fulfilling the apprentice’s responsibilities if you do not have an apprentice
Time Commitment:
· 1 Leaders meeting (2 hours) per quarter (4x a year) to discuss problems/improvements/system/growth/refresh mission and strategy
· 1 CG meeting per week (7-9:15 p.m. Thursdays)
Leader Meeting Calendar:
· Quarterly
o January
o April
o August
o December
Apprentice Procedure:
· Leader Responsibility
o Allow your apprentice to shadow you, involving them in your planning process and asking them to assist you in whatever ways possible. Occasionally, ask them to express their mindset concerning the topics, and give them pointers about approaching difficult questions/challenging people, being relatable, speaking with confidence, and other leading guidelines.
· Apprentice Responsibilities
o Takes & submits attendance (by Mondays 5 p.m.)
o Fills in for leader absences
o Leads when group divides
o Talks with quiet members before and after meetings
o Keeps track of how the CG members are doing: Who is hurting? Who is growing?
o Helps plan outings and service projects
o Alternates with the leader to provide weekly refreshments
o Attends all leaders’ meetings
o Arranges sufficient comfortable seating
o Helping with recruiting and registering new members (sign-up table)
Attendance Policy:
· If someone in the group is not showing up, call them. Find out why.
· Ensure that your attendance is submitted by Monday at 5 p.m. weekly.
· If you do not turn in your attendance, you will be called. Three strikes you’re out! If you have to be called three times for failure to submit attendance, you will be suspended from CG leadership. We need people on this team who help run this, not who hinder our efficiency. Let’s be excellent for the kingdom of God and be efficient for Him like He is your boss on a prized job, because He is! Do what you need to do and set reminders on your phones, put it in your calendar for a recurring appointment, whatever is necessary.
· Utilize the comment box on attendance forms for pertinent concerns, problems, or questions. Include problems that occurred and how you handled them when applicable. If you have an urgent concern, please contact your leader support immediately.
Moral Policy for CGs:
· No secular music
· No alcohol
· No profanity allowed or uncorrected in the group (the truth in love)
· No judgment
· No gossip
· Confidentiality (unless emergencies arise)
· No movies with horror, witchcraft, nudity, or excessive sexual content
· No business pitches or selling of any kind
· No offerings collected for any reason
Moral Standards for CG Leaders:
· CG leaders are examples, teachers, and stewards of their CG members. Therefore, we step into a greater level of accountability, as God judges teachers even more harshly than the students.
o James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly (NIV).
· If any of you are still involved in the following behaviors, you will not be able to serve as a CG leader at this time. Out of humility, maturity, and submission to God, please let your CG directors know privately if you are dealing with the following issues. We will pray for you and respect your honesty and obedience.
o Sexual behavior
§ Shacking
§ Pornography
§ Adultery
§ Fornication
§ Homosexual behavior and lifestyle
o Substance abuse (drunkenness, drugs, alcohol or drug-related legal offense in the past year)
o Social media obscenities, profanity, or anything that is a poor representation of a follower of Christ
Contracts:
· Member covenant contract (to be signed by week 3)
o Confidential environment
o Respect
o Faithful attendance (sessions, socials, service projects)
o Notification (in advance) of absence
o Regular prayer for each other
· Leader covenant
o Diligence in preparation and attendance
o Spiritual accountability
What if a group fails?
o A group might fail. If it does, encourage members to try another group. Don’t give up because of a negative experience!
o Evaluate what went wrong. Share your findings with all CG leaders to avoid repetition.
o Re-strategize and move forward.
***Never forget to also celebrate successes! Record and share testimonials! Inform your CG directors of powerful testimonies that can be shared with the congregation in order to encourage more participation in CGs and to encourage your fellow CG leaders!
Nuts & Bolts of CG Training
· Listening well
· Asking the right questions
o Not just “yes” or “no”
o Personal but not embarrassing
· Preparation
o Prayer
o Reading
o Creativity
· Keeping their attention
o Energy
o Attention-grabbers
o Vocal inflections and volume
o Colorful stories
o RELATABILITY (down-to-earth)
§ Transparency
§ NOT super-spiritual, over-their-heads, flowery or “churchy” language
o Breaking monotony
o Flexibility (If you need to switch the order of program or pull out an interactive icebreaker to wake up everyone, do it! Accomplish the goal, but let the Spirit lead you for optimum receptivity!)
· Group prayer
o Prayer impacts the atmosphere for greater receptivity, provokes group cohesiveness, and breaks walls down.
o Get EVERYONE involved.
o Be patient and encouraging, offering easy tips to intimidated members (ex. “Simply talk to Him, nothing elaborate. Thank Him for everything you can think of J.”)
o Cover prayer requests of CG members.
o Pray fervently!
· Managing group participation
o Don’t let blabbermouths blab! (Don’t let only one or two dominate.)
o Don’t blab the whole session yourself! J
o Encourage hermits to come out from their shells (in lesson discussion).
o Don’t force people to share during share time, but rather, give them time to warm up and enjoy.
· Problem-solving
o Prepare yourself to solve problems with grace, wisdom, and optimism. Don’t be discouraged. Know that in every great thing on Earth, there are challenges, but it is worth it!
o Operate based off principle, NOT feelings! Protect the flock. Do not allow an individual to pollute your growth environment or hinder the productivity.
o You might recognize that someone is a constant disruption to your group (attention hog, leech, nag, complainer, gossip, etc.). You may have to pull them aside and let them know that this group is not the best fit for them, and that they should try another because CGs Ministry wants everyone in the optimum environment for their growth. J
§ Gal. 5:7-10 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.)
o Before releasing someone from your group or making any other major decision that has potential to affect the CG Ministry or its reputation, seek counsel from Leaders Support. When in doubt, ask (Prov. 11:14).
o Respond with patience, love, and maturity to difficult personalities. Remember that no matter how annoying the person is, the group is watching you to see how a Christian should deal with people. Think of those kinds of people as simply people who need love and maybe even your help.
· Facilitating table sign-ups
o Rotation schedule (Let us know if you have limitations.)
o Laptops
o Enthusiasm (big smiles & energy!)
§ Why would they want to join if you are not enthusiastic about it?
o Calling people over to the table
o Sharing a testimony
o Explaining (enthusiastically!) CG structure and mission/function
o Helping them to find the best fit!
§ Make them feel part of the process by explaining their options and asking their preferences.
§ Let them know that we want you to have your ideal group so you have 3 weeks to decide if you want to move to a different one. You’re not stuck!
· Remember that your Leader Support and CG directors are here for you, not to judge you but to help you succeed! Keep us informed, and utilize our counsel.
· Communication app
o Get a chat app where the group can regularly converse and you can post messages.
o Ensure that everyone can download it, and if not, that it can come as a text.
o Group Me, for example
· Doctrine Check
o Don’t teach/preach things BASED on scripture but not found in scripture. Don’t make YOUR spirit-led rules everybody’s rules. Just because something is your personal conviction doesn’t mean it is intended to be everyone’s personal conviction, if it’s not stated in the Bible. (E.g., preaching that alcohol is wrong when the Bible says not to drink in excess/teaching that everyone should be a vegetarian because the Bible says to take care of your temples) Just because you are convicted by that scripture in that sense does not mean that scripture commands it!