In our continuing series on how to host small faith groups in your parish, today’s post calls us to look at training leaders to facilitate the small groups. Our model is a parish in Chicago that gathered parishioners in homes to participate in Scripture groups during Lent.
1–2 Months Out
A critical step in ensuring the success of small groups is the training of leaders to facilitate the process. Invite the potential leaders to a two-hour training experience. Be sure to include the following aspects of facilitating:
- Teaching as Jesus did—primarily to small groups
- Leading as serving
- Preparing oneself
- Preparing the environment: creature comforts, sacred space/prayer focus, signs, refreshments
- Considering hospitality
- Leading informal prayer
- Leading discussions
- Listening and affirming
- Asking questions
- Handling difficult participants
- Encouraging quiet participants
- Staying on focus
- Knowing adult learning techniques
As mentioned in a previous post, I’ll soon have a PowerPoint presentation available for you to use for leadership/facilitator training.
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Read the first three articles in the series:
How to Host Parish Small Faith Groups, Part 1 (Introduction)
How to Host Parish Small Faith Groups, Part 2 (4–6 Months Out)
How to Host Parish Small Faith Groups, Part 3 (2–3 Months Out)
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