Instructions
Watch the video before the 1st Group Meeting
1st Meeting - Growth Groups
Members of the Growth Group will hold an in-person meeting before the weekly sessions begin. The purpose of this meeting is to get to know each other better and review the dynamics of the Growth Group meetings.
Below are the two activities that will take place during that first meeting
Use the following statements and questions to get to know each other better:
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Everyone shares their full name, age, marital status, number of children, hometown, and how long they’ve lived here.
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Everyone shares what they do for a living: work, studies, profession, etc.
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What is your religious background? As a child and as an adult. Are you part of a faith community right now?
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What has your experience in church been like?
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We all have “ups and downs” in our spiritual lives. How would you describe your spiritual life over the past few months?
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Which spiritual habits or disciplines (prayer, fasting, Bible reading, meditation, consistent church attendance, serving others) come most easily to you, and which ones do you find hardest to maintain consistently?
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How do you think the other members of the Growth Group could help you strengthen your relationship with God and your spiritual life?
1. Let's get to know each other!
2. Let's Prepare!
Key Guidelines for the Effective Functioning of Growth Groups
1. Participate actively in the in-person group
- This process is designed to be carried out with one or two other people.
- Growth occurs through interaction, conversation, and mutual support.
- Prioritize face-to-face meetings.
- Avoid virtual meetings unless absolutely necessary.
- Ideally, the meeting should not last longer than two hours.
- Aim to meet at least twice a month.
IMPORTANT: Progress through the program depends on the weekly Growth Group meeting. If for any reason you are unable to meet one week, repeat that week's reading and do not move on to the next one until the meeting has taken place.
2. Complete personal preparation before each meeting
Before meeting with your group:
- Pray individually at least five days during the week.
- Read the assigned Bible passages at least five days during the week.
- Listen to the reflection audio after reading all the passages.
3. Keep a record of what God speaks to you
- Use a notebook or a note-taking app.
- Write down ideas, insights, questions, and personal applications.
- These notes will enrich the group conversation.
4. Remember that this is not a discipleship group
- There is no teacher or leader in charge of instructing the others.
- Everyone learns, reflects, and grows together.
- The goal is to meditate on the Word and develop healthy spiritual habits.
5. Practice simple, healthy accountability
- Voluntarily share how your walk with God is going.
- The purpose is to encourage, exhort, and support one another.
- People are not expected to disclose deeply personal matters.
6. Foster open and participatory conversation
- Everyone should express their opinions, questions, and reflections.
- Listen respectfully to others.
- Seek practical ways to apply what you have learned together.
7. Stay focused on the Word and practical application
- The conversation should center primarily on the Bible passages being studied.
- Share what God revealed to you during your personal quiet times. - Focus on how to apply what was learned during the week.
8. Practice a time of silence and reflection
- Take approximately 5 minutes to meditate on the discussion.
- Listen for what God may have spoken to you through other group members.
9. Pray for needs and for people far from God
- Pray for the personal needs of the group members.
- Pray for the congregation.
- Pray especially for two people in your close circle (*oikos*) who still need to draw near to God.
10. Complete the report at the end of the meeting
- Each participant should record their name and the week completed.
- Include any pending questions that arose during the conversation.