Your First eGroup Meeting

Remember for a moment your first time attending Elevation Church. From the moment you stepped out of your car, you were treated as a VIP. We made it a point to honor you by going above and beyond to welcome you. Everything in our Worship Experience was structured so that you received the best presentation of the Gospel possible.

But this isn't and shouldn't just about true about our worship experiences. The truth is we strive for excellence in whatever setting we are in. The same mindset is expected for our eGroup leaders whenever they hold their small groups.

Since it's your first time leading, that can be a little daunting. Your first eGroup meeting as a leader may be slightly nerve-racking. You want your group to get to a place where they feel comfortable enough to share things with one another. You also want to challenge them and grow them as individuals. Most importantly, you want for every member of your group to grow in their Christian faith.

We want to help you run your group with excellence and ease some of those first-time nerves by giving you some tools for your first meeting. Remember, as you begin to plan and prepare for your first eGroup meeting, it's the details that will matter on the first week. Draw people in to the sense of community that you have created. Here are a few tips to help you make your first eGroup meeting a success:

1. Create an inviting atmosphere One of the most important things to do when you are preparing for your first eGroup meeting is to make sure that you have created a welcoming environment. A few ways to do this include:

• Tie some balloons on your mailbox as a way of celebrating the fact that people are joining together at your house.
• Meet your group members at the door. Don't let them walk past the door threshold without greeting them and welcoming them in. Smile and let them know you are happy that they are there.
• Bake some cookies or make some coffee to make the environment comfortable and less intimidating.

2. Demonstrate your capability as a leader Provide leadership to your group by being both authoritative and authentic. Don't be afraid to be yourself as you lead the meeting. However, also show your authority as a leader by doing these simple steps:

• Encourage discussion from everyone in the group. Ask questions; don't be afraid to be inquisitive and push the group members to go deeper.
• Pray both before and after the meeting.
• Introduce the topic for the semester at the start of the meeting. Explain to your group members exactly what they will be learning throughout the semester.

3. Be audacious in your vision for the group Challenge your group to believe in the impossible for their lives. Stretch them beyond their capabilities. Believe in your group members' ability to become exceptional. Some practical ways to challenge your group over the semester include:

• Ask your group to set goals for themselves at the first meeting. Encourage them to think of difficult, but not impossible goals.
• Encourage each group member to have a daily quiet time with God and to lean on each other for support.
• Be intentional in the way you speak to each individual member. Speak life into them and show that you believe in their potential.