HOST Groups

Almost a year ago, the church I serve initiated a different way for adults to do Bible study at our church. We developed what we called HOST groups in our Gymnasium. The groups meet at round tables in a coffee house atmosphere we call Common Ground. Following our early contemporary service, adults make their way to the Common Ground Cafe for coffee and home baked pastries, along with hot tea, chocolate, etc. For 30 minutes they have the opportunity to fellowship, then for about an hour they meet in their HOST groups for discussion and application of the pastor's sermon for that day. I develop a discussion guide each week that includes four sections: "Grind It" contains suggestions for discussion starters. "Brew It" is another look at the scriptures and truths shared by the pastor with frequent cross referencing and application questions. "Drink It" is a section of specific application to life, and "Savor It" is a section of daily devotions based on the truths learned that week.

So why do we call them HOST groups? We wanted the focus to be on relationships. Since the teaching was really being done by the pastor, the job description for the leaders of these groups changed from content delivery to facilitation and application. We defined the groups with these values:

"H" stands for hospitable - people meeting people. Like my friend who scans every room to see if there is anyone who needs to meet him. We leave no person to stand-alone. We are always inviting others to our group. Another place hospitality is needed is in our worship services. Don't go to people you know until you have engaged someone you do not know. Scan the crowd for those who need to meet you. Extend a welcoming hand of friendship to those you see. Help Hillcrest Hospitality Happen Here! Take the "H" to heart!

"O" stands for open - people connecting with people. We are prone to becoming closed. When our relationship quota is filled, we don't feel the need to be open to new people. It's great to form close friendships, but our mission of nurturing relationships with those finding Jesus, we must maintain an open chair philosophy. There is room for one more at our table, in our circle, and in our heart. Stay open - think "O"!

"S" stands for safe - people loving people. People must feel safe in a small group. If they think someone is going to judge, reject, or ridicule them for being real, they will not be willing to open themselves in the group. Each week we deal with spiritual growth issues. In a typical group there is a wide variety of spiritual maturity. The key words are acceptance, understanding, encouragement, and confidentiality. Have a safe group - practice "S".

"T" stands for transforming - people changed in community. At Hillcrest, we find and follow Christ together. Once we find Him (establish a personal faith relationship with Christ), we begin the process of following Christ up the discipleship HILL. This is a process of transformation into the image of Christ. The closer we get to Christ, the more our lives reflect Him to others. As an agent of transformation, leaders challenge, confront, comfort, and care. We lead Bible discussion so that it challenges us to change, to become more like Christ. We confront unbiblical attitudes, behaviors, or values. We comfort those who fail, who fall, or who falter. And we care enough to be involved in one another's lives with ministry.