Groups Training | RADIUS Church

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Introduction
In this introduction RADIUS Groups Pastor, Brian Kirkland, and Ann Miller unpack how this virtual training works and what to expect over the upcoming modules.

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Module 1: Why Community Matters
In this module Ryan Molony (Pastor at RADIUS Church - Centerville) shows us why it's so important for us to be in biblical community. Watch the video below and then answer the questions that follow.
1. When in your life do you feel like you were most known? Why was that the case?*
Ryan made a compelling case that being outside of spiritual community is deadly. Being within community is also risky as well. Consider this quote from CS Lewis:
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
2. What are things you can do to create an environment of healthy risk-taking and vulnerability in your group?*

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Module 2: Hospitality - A Recipe for Growth
In this module, Michael Funderburk (former Worship Pastor at RADIUS Church - Lexington) will help us understand why we need to show hospitality and what sets hospitality apart from entertaining or impressing guests. Watch the video below and then answer the questions that follow.
1. When we show genuine hospitality we demonstrate the welcoming ________________ of God.*
Fill in the blank.
Entertaining or Hospitality?*
Choose the statements below that display HOSPITALITY.
- I want to look good.
- I want Jesus to look good.
- Emphasis is on food or outer appearance.
- Emphasis is on the hearts of those in your home - or meeting room.
- Humbled by the mess and can still serve.
- Preoccupied with or apologetic about mess.
- Goal: To serve
- Goal: To impress
Practical Ways to set a hospitable tone for your group:
PRAY!- that you would love them and care about their stories. That God would give you a heart to welcome them - even if you come in tired and stressed.
CONSIDER YOUR MEETING SPACE - whether at home, at church, or out in a coffee shop or Chick-Fil-A, think about your surroundings. Can everyone hear and be heard? Would a candle or fresh flowers bring instant cheer? Do you have snacks, waters, and maybe coffee available. Is the temperature of the room“just right?”
LEARN PEOPLE’S NAMES - AND MORE - use name tags for the first few gatherings to help you and your members learn and remember names. To go beyond surface knowledge of your people, this may help: Think “N.A.F.T.A”!
N - NAME (learn the first and last name of them and their children)
A - AGE (not their date of birth, but seek to understand their season of life AND their spiritual age if they’re followers of with Jesus)
F - FAMILY (How many siblings, their birth order, parents still alive? Parents married? What are the current dynamics of their extended family?)
T - TEMPERAMENT (What is their worldview? Their outlook on life? The cast of Winnie the Pooh is a great way to think of temperament! Are they a Pooh, an Eeyore, a Piglet? What are their spiritual gifts?)
A - ASPIRATIONS (What are they dreaming about or planning for? Do they feel the Lord calling them towards something? What is their idea of their ‘best life”?

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Module 3: The Big 3
In this module Trey Shealy (Pastor at RADIUS Church - Saluda) introduces us to the 3 components that are vital to every small group meeting.
1. Why do you think stories impact us in ways that simple fact-telling does not?*
2. What examples from the Bible can you recall where story-telling is used?*
3. When has the Lord used the Bible to change how you view life/the world/others/Himself?*
4. Why do you think it’s easy to make prayer an afterthought?*
5. What are practical ways you can make prayer a central part of your group time?*

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Module 4: The Art of Asking Questions
In this module Kim Lyle (Connection Coordinator at RADIUS Church - Lexington) helps us understand how to be curious and ask questions that will help us better connect with our group.
1. In the video, Kim said that God has given all of us something that fuels our desire to know others well. This “something” is ________________________.*
Fill in the blank.
2. To better engage with our group members, we can tap into our “Holy curiosity” and ask lots of ___________________________.*
Fill in the blank.
3. Why does asking good questions (also known as “humble inquiry”) require humility?*
4. Place a check by the questions that demonstrate genuine curiosity and interest:*
- Why did you go into your job or occupation?
- Don’t you think you should come to church more often?
- What was it like growing up in your town?
- How do you think God was active in that?
- If you had a million dollars to give to charity, how would you give it away?
- Have I shown you my collection of Bible commentaries?
- What’s going on with your kids these days?
- I’m curious, who is the biggest influence in your life right now?
Good Questions Follow a Progression
In the book The 9 Arts of Spiritual Conversations, Mary Schaller and John Crilly talk about a natural order of curiosity. Keeping this progression in mind will help you take your conversations deeper as you get to know the people in your group:
History - “Where are you from?”
Questions that get to the person’s origins - including their religious background.
Transitions - “Where are you now?”
Questions that are focused on where the other is in their life right now.
Principles - “How did you get here?”
Questions that reveal the deeply held convictions that impact the other’s outlook and decision making.
Goals - “Where are you going?”
Questions that help you understand what the other person views as success, accomplishment or growth.
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Group Leader Training 2021

Step 1 of 6

Let's Get Started!

Introduction

Module 1: Why Community Matters

Module 2: Hospitality - A Recipe for Growth

Practical Ways to set a hospitable tone for your group:

Module 3: The Big 3

Module 4: The Art of Asking Questions

Good Questions Follow a Progression