One Hour Training for Small Group Hosts
- Are you trusting in the sacrificial death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ alone for forgiveness and your eternal life?
Do you believe Jesus died for your sins, rose from the dead and that based on trusting in Him alone, your sins are forgiven and you will spend eternity with God? John 3:16; Romans 6:23; I Corinthians 15:3-4,57; 1 Peter 2:24. - Is this your church home?
Home Church is defined as the place you faithfully attend, serve, give and when asked to, the one place you would vote. Membership is not a pre-requisite to be a host. If this is not your church home, will you make it so? - Will you be ready to receive the group each week?
This involves tending to the outside as well as the inside of the meeting location. Is it easy to locate? Is there adequate parking? Is the entry way well-lit and safe to navigate? Is the kitchen, meeting area and bathroom clean? Are pets secured? Some people are not comfortable with cats rubbing against them and dogs sniffing them. Are children cared for? Most groups do not provide child care. - Will you organize the refreshments and group meal?
Another key role of the hosts is to manage the refreshments. The host should provide snacks and a liquid refreshment the first week. Offer decaf coffee if your group meets at night. It is up to the host if they want to provide snacks each week or organize a signup sheet. If the group uses a signup sheet the Host is responsible for a reminder call each week.
The host is also responsible for organizing a group meal. Once a session the group eats a meal together. It can at the meeting location, another home or a restaurant. It can take the place of a meeting or be included as part of the meeeting. The Host is not responsible for providing the food. He/she is however responsible for making sure it happens. Options include: going to a restaurant, pot-luck, catering or have everyone chip in and someone in the group prepare a meal for everyone. - Will you attend Wrap Up?
This is a free dinner for the host and spouse, along with all the other leaders, that takes place the week after the last meeting. It’s a way to say thank you for serving as a host. It’s also a fun time to share God stories, give constructive input and offer referrals.