Lifeline leaders guide a small group of men (usually 5-12) on a journey to discover healthy relationships with God and one another, and discover Jesus’ plan through relational Bible study- connecting the three stories
A Checklist
Lifeline sessions are meant to be held virtually or personally in a comfortable setting that promotes confidentiality.
The Lifeline Leader will:
- Guide the group sessions (topic, time usage, etc.), coordinating the start time and setting for group sessions with the group.
- Keep the group session on track, within the time limits. A group session should last about 1.5 hours.
- Start and stop each session on time.
- Not always be able to cover every question. When you must cut off discussion, it is important to give time signal (at least at the 5-minute and 2-minute points) before stopping.
- Not teach the Bible, but rather guide the group in discovery.
- Not give advice, nor allow other group members to do so.
- Make sure each person has a digital copy or printout of the session.
- Ask people NOT to bring Bible commentaries or other books. The “official answer” will always shut down conversation.
- Respect each person and their opinions.
- Provide care for group members between meetings.
- Keep CONFIDENTIALITY. The group may only break confidentiality if a person is doing (or contemplating) something dangerous. Then you will tell the person that you are breaking confidence and notifying appropriate authorities.
- Go FIRST in answering questions early in the group life. It helps to break the ice when you give an example of how you would answer. However, silence for thinking helps introverts become equal contributors with the extroverts.
- Carefully note each section of the AGENDA has a specific purpose. Depending on time, you may need to skip some questions; but be sure to include at least one question from each section. They are vital to everything the group is about.
These Group Leader Basics adapted from Epic Stories from the Gospels: 60 studies in the life of Jesus for cell groups, by Daryl L. Smith and Brian D. Babcock. Used by permission.