Leader guide

Leader guide

Make room for a real conversation.

Your role is to help people attend to Scripture, Pastor Bill’s teaching, one another’s experience, and the Spirit’s invitation—not to deliver another sermon.

30The essential path Every session is designed to work in thirty minutes. Optional questions extend it to forty-five. When time is short, protect the practice and prayer rather than squeezing in every question.

Before the first gathering

Five things to do once.

Open Session 1 on the device you will use.Test the embedded video, sound, captions, and backup link.
Read the full Leader Guide.After that, preparation should usually take only ten to fifteen minutes per gathering.
Know the group’s time boundary.Decide whether thirty minutes is firm or whether optional questions may extend the conversation.
Identify a care contact.Know which pastor or ministry leader you will contact if a disclosure needs support beyond the group.
Introduce the conversation covenant below.Ask the group to adopt it before beginning the first discussion.

Set up

Freedom makes honesty possible.

A simple group covenantLet’s keep personal stories confidential, give one another room to finish, and resist fixing or advising unless someone asks. You may always pass on a question. We’ll disagree with curiosity and kindness, and we’ll make room for voices that have not been heard.

Confidentiality has limits when someone may be in danger or when reporting is legally or pastorally required. Never promise absolute secrecy.

A repeatable rhythm

01Reconnect: 2 min
02Set up: 2 min
03Read: 2–3 min
04Watch: 2–5 min
05Connect: 1–2 min
06Discuss: 10–12 min
07Practice: 3–5 min
08Pray: 1+ min

Facilitate with care

Prepare lightly: Read the session once, test the video, and choose which optional question you would use. You do not need to master every theological issue.
Follow curiosity: Ask a question, listen, and use a simple follow-up: ‘What makes you say that?’ or ‘Where do you see that in the passage?’
Welcome silence: After a personal question, quietly count to seven. People often need time to think before offering something meaningful.
Share the air: If two people dominate, say: ‘Let’s hear from someone who hasn’t spoken yet.’ Never require everyone to answer a vulnerable question.
Hold disagreement well: Clarify what the person means, return to Scripture, and distinguish central doctrine from wisdom questions. You do not have to resolve every tension.
Know the limit: A group is not equipped to investigate abuse, provide therapy, or give legal advice. Listen, thank the person, and follow up privately with appropriate pastoral or professional help.

Useful language

Words to keep in your back pocket.

What makes you say that?
Where do you see that in the passage?
Would this look different in paid and unpaid work?
What might make that difficult?
Does anyone see it another way?
That sounds important. Would it help if I followed up after the group?

When the plan breaks

No video

Keep the conversation moving.

Try the backup link once. If it still fails, read the “Connect the idea” paragraph aloud and continue to the questions. The video supports the session; it does not make the session.