New Group Resources For You
Mar/110
Group leaders, as part of our continuing efforts to help you create an environment where people connect with God and others, we’ve updated the list of available resources for your group discussions. These resources are available for your use on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Resource Guide is available as a Word document and is indexed by keyword.
As you complete a study, please return the resource promptly to the groups office so others may use it. We’d LOVE to get any feedback from you on the study so we can share with other leaders too. (As an example, check out this review.) Your input may be the one thing a group leader needs to help his or her group take the next step.
And feel free to make some suggestions for new studies as you identify them. You can send an e-mail to Jody at jodyk@faithpromise.org.
Leveraging Fellowship Technologies’ Groups 2.0
Feb/110
In the interest of becoming more effective as connectors, Fellowship Technologies has released a revamped tool to help you more efficiently maintain contact with your group members and prospects. And to help you navigate this new technology, a step-by-step guide to the most common tasks is included below. As with any tool, it is best used as intended, much like a hammer is best at hitting nails rather than fixing windows. Ultimately, this tool is meant to streamline the way we promote our groups and connect people in them.
Guide
1. Access the portal at https://fpctystn.infellowship.com/.
2. Log in using your e-mail address and password you created. If you have never logged in, either to manage your group or to register for an event at Faith Promise, you may create an account.
3. Review available groups. Several options exist for groups and may not be relevant for every individual: (1) Your spans of care…, (2) You lead…, and (3) You belong to…
- Coaches and Leadership Team members have access to groups under “Your spans of care…”.
- Group leaders have access to their group under “You lead…”.
- Group members have access to their group under “You belong to…”.
Group leaders, as well as Coaches & Leadership Teams, have the ability to manage the settings of their groups. A leader can manage the Bulletin board, Details, Schedule, and Location. Leaders can also manage prospects through Groups 2.0. They can invite new people to join the group, which creates a new prospect, or respond to individuals who have shown interest. They can make notes on any interaction with a prospect directly in the application. Group leaders also have the ability to remove people from the roster list.
Group members can update their account information and profile. When signed in, click the Account button to access login information and the profile. Any information updated in the profile will update in your record in Fellowship One. Encourage your group members to update their information periodically so they receive e-mails and other correspondence from the group.
As you explore the new tools within Groups 2.0, determine the best means of leveraging this technology to maintain contact with your current and prospective members. And if all else fails, contact Jennifer at jenniferp@faithpromise.org or Evan at evanc@faithpromise.org with your questions.
Review of Scouting The Divine by Margaret Feinberg
Jul/100
Review by Evan Crass
This study, Scouting The Divine – Searching for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey, which is produced by Threads, includes some great content on many of the metaphors used by Jesus in his teachings. The study shares its name with the book authored by Margaret Feinberg and unpacks many of the key thoughts through group discussion. The discussion provides for a richer understanding of the role of a shepherd, the intricacies of making honey, and the work of a vintner placed in the context of today’s culture.
The leader kit includes a DVD with six teaching sessions, a member book, and a CD with a leader’s guide plus additional content that can be sent to group members via e-mail throughout the week. This kit is fairly standard for studies produced by Threads and provides an abundance of information … so much so that the group leader must selectively choose what is worth discussing. The presentation format and quality of Margaret as a speaker are not the strengths of this study.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5 (4.5 stars out of 5 for content / 2 stars out of 5 for presentation)
NOTE: The member book was not used by the group participants, although it was mentioned as a resource. The lack of member participation likely contributed to the lack of discussion. As such, consider the available resources – full book, member book, leader’s guide, and DVD – to determine what is most relevant for your specific group environment.
Review of Breaking Free: The Journey by Beth Moore
Jun/100
Review by Judy Frietze
No matter whether you did the original Breaking Free study by Beth Moore or not, anyone who is serious about their relationship with God and living a life of freedom in Christ can and will benefit from doing the updated version, Breaking Free: The Journey. Though Beth’s target group is women (as she uses more examples/stories to which most women can relate), the biblical principles she cites would be applicable to men as well. The workbook is an essential tool because it allows one-on-one time with the Holy Spirit as you dig into God’s Word and have that time to gain deeper insights into what might be holding you captive and keeping you from enjoying the benefits God intends for each of His children. Our group met every other week, which enabled those who work fulltime and our young moms to have more time to do their lessons. The video with Beth’s teaching in a group setting is an excellent supplement for the workbook so together they provide optimum impact for all participating in this study.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
NOTE: Because of the nature of this particular study, it is critical to have each participant read through the “personal note from Beth” (provided in the Leader Guide) DURING YOUR INTRO MEETING so that everyone understands from the beginning that this is an in-depth Bible study focused on exploring/applying truths to your lives and is NOT a support group to assist others in dealing with and overcoming specific issues.
Available Resources for Group Discussion
Nov/092
In an effort to help you create an environment where people connect with God and others, we’ve compiled a list of available resources that may prove helpful as you make plans for group discussions in 2010. These resources are available for your use on a first-come-first-serve basis. A complete list by keyword is available as a Word document.