Small Groups

It has never been more important to gather in Groups.

Connecting with others who know us by name and to be lifted up in faith by God’s Word and pray together, is essential for our spiritual and emotional health. It is not good for people to be alone!

Leading a group is easier than you might think. Truly successfully groups have one thing in common: a leader with a heart to serve and become more like Jesus.

This page outlines practical steps to help you lead your Small Group successfully.

Leading a Small Group is as Easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Invite a group of people.

   • Invite people to your online group by giving them the link to your group from our website https://elementchurch.groupvitals.com/groupFinder. Click on your particular group and share that link.

2. Review the Message Discussion Questions or Curriculum

   • Message Discussion questions are located at www.elementchurch.info/ or you can access our curriculum by clicking here.

3. Lead the group.

   • Send a text or email through Group Vitals to welcome new people when they join your group.

   • Meet at least once a week at a consistent time. Typically, an online group is successful in a 45-60-minute time frame for online or 1- 1.5 hours for in person. Be sure to start and stop on time.

   • Help people feel welcome and that they belong. Lead them to build each other up in conversation and move things in a direction that inspires hope.

   • Connect with your group members throughout the week. A simple text, message, or phone call is sometimes all it takes for someone to feel loved.

   • Be sure to include these components:

     • Connecting – just ask everyone how their week is going.

     • Prayer – be sure to ask for prayer requests.

     • Spiritual – this is whatever curriculum you want to utilize.

I Want to Lead a Group

Step 1

Watch The Video And Fill Out The The Form

Click on the box below to sign up for Group Leader Training.

Step 2

Complete Group Leader Training!

During Group Leader training you will have access to How-To videos for utilizing our Group Vitals program to manage your group.

Step 3

You will then receive a confirmation email from the Small Group Department about your group being entered and how to proceed.

Step 4

Follow The Easy As 1, 2, 3 Process Listed Above

Best Practices for Online Small Groups

As you might imagine, having an online group experience is considerably different than sharing a living room or classroom in person. Here are a few tips for participating in or facilitating an online group experience.

1. Be Prepared

   • Recommend group members to have the discussion questions downloaded prior to starting the meeting. They are available at www.elementchurch.com/groups.

2. Make sure your face is centered in the video camera.

   • Members probably don’t want to see only your forehead or neck throughout the meeting, so position your camera accordingly.

3. Select the quietest room/location you can find.

   • Turn off anything making noise in the background (TV, radio, appliances).

   • Put pets in a different room or have them in a place where they will be most quiet.

   • Use headphones with a microphone if you have them.

4. Only use one device per household.

   • When two devices are used in the same room, it produces feedback that affects all group participants.

   • If two people feel more comfortable participating with their own devices instead of sharing the same one, each should have his or her own room for doing so.

5. Mute your computer unless you’re talking.

   • If everyone’s microphone is turned on at the same time, the sound quality can be an issue and it can be hard to hear the person who is talking. The best policy is to mute yourself when you are not talking.

   • If you are muted, make sure to nod your head and listen well so people can recognize you are following them.

6. Be a facilitator.

   • Facilitating this group, you will need to be welcoming and in charge. Make sure as the leader you jump on a few minutes early to welcome everyone.

   • Redirect the conversation or mute participants as necessary. This may feel rude at times, but it is necessary to manage a good online experience for the group.

   • Generally speaking, the facilitator should talk 30% of the time and listen 70% of the time.

Let’s Talk Tech

It doesn’t matter what you know about technology. We have some great tools and tutorials to help you be successful!