40 Days of Community Host TIPS for Week One

We’re finally here! 40 Days of Community kicks off this weekend. Thanks for answering God’s call to open your home to host a group. Please check out the Host Tips below that will help you as you get started. Also, pick up your curriculum at the CommUNITY Table between services this weekend. Remember, three or four in your group is success.

“Host TIPS” for Week 1

1. PRAYER: As you prepare for every 40 Days of Community group meeting, the most important thing you can do is PRAY.
· Pray: that God will bring those to your group that He wants to attend.
· Pray: for each person by name that God will uniquely speak to them through the lesson and the group interaction.
· Pray: for any who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior that the Holy Spirit will use the lesson and the 40 Days of Community series to draw them to Jesus Christ.
2. WEEK ONE - SPECIFIC TIPS:
· Listen to Tod's “Helps for Hosts” at the beginning of the teaching video. This is just for Hosts and will help you get started and direct you to where Group Guidelines and Calendar can be found.
· Plan for your Week One meeting to be a little longer than the rest of the sessions because you will want to show Tod' “Introduction” to your group in addition to showing Session One. The “Introduction” explains and outlines 40 Days of Community for your group. Please be sure to show it the first night. It is12 minutes in length.
· Be sensitive to the unchurched and non-believers who may join your group. 40 Days of Community will be a wonderful opportunity for them to see and understand what is important to God, and to be challenged with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ during your forty days together.
o Don’t rush them to participate.
o Don’t expect them to talk or act like Christians until they are.
o Be sensitive to people who are shy or who may not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
o Don’t force anyone to pray out loud. Always give permission to not pray.
o Model simple prayers.
o Be yourself!!
· God only asks us to prepare, pray and open our door. If we do that, He will do a work through us.

3. HOSPITALITY: Make sure to welcome each person as they arrive. Introduce yourself and introduce them to any others who have arrived.
· Serve a snack and beverage
· Open the meeting with people sharing a short introduction of themselves to the group.
o How long you have been involved at your church? Or, how long in the area?
· Start with Tod's “Introduction” on DVD or Video Cassette
· Distribute the Study Guides and view Session One on DVD or Video Cassette.
· Now you’re started!!
· As you finish, go through the devotional guide/study guide pointing out the daily devotional guide, the journal, the memory verse, and any other items that might help them get the most out of 40 Days of Community.
Congratulations! You are blessed and God will use you to be a blessing to your group! Our entire staff is praying for you and for those who will attend your group.

Tender Blessings,
your servant