HOW TO START AND RUN A GROUP
There are detailed instructions for how to start your own Reach4Life group at the end of the Reach4Life book, explaining who can start a group, how to go about running one, and some essential guidelines for facilitating a group.
There are detailed instructions for how to start your own Reach4Life group at the end of the Reach4Life book, explaining who can start a group, how to go about running one, and some essential guidelines for facilitating a group.
It is important to note that although the 4 Journeys and the 10 lessons in each are designed with a logical sequence in mind, it is quite acceptable to change the order of the journeys or lessons to suit the needs of your specific context. For example, some people choose to start with Journey 3: Live, as it grabs the attention of young people and deals with the most pressing issues, before going back to Journey 1: Believe.
It is important that you stick to the following guidelines; it will help trust and authenticity to develop in your group over time:
1 . Prepare your lesson well and pray for your group before each meeting.
2 . Create clear boundaries and expectations. Set some ground rules at the beginning of the lesson and create a safe space for young people to share by instructing them to:
Be real with and respectful of each other.
Give everyone a chance to talk – listen more than you speak and don’t interrupt.
Commit to not sharing what you have heard outside of the group unless granted permission.
Recognise that some things are difficult to share in a group. You may pass anytime you are not comfortable sharing.
Laugh with each other, but not at each other.
Keep your mind and heart open to God and his Word.
3 . Stay on topic. When conversation begins to go off-topic, always bring it back to the main purpose of what you are there to discuss.
4 . Watch for dominant speakers. If you notice one or two people who are constantly answering questions and dominating the conversation, try to encourage others to participate.
5 . Establish positive relationships with each member of your group. This will improve their openness and receptiveness to what you have to say. Truth and honesty are key.