Leader Resources

Connect Group Leader Resources

Lead people.
Build community.

Everything you need to guide a healthy, Christ-centered Connect Group—practical tools, shared leadership, group rhythms, and support when you need it.

Open Your Group
Contact Your Coach

The heart of every healthy group

Keep the ABCs in view.

You do not have to manufacture a perfect meeting. Plan for these three vital experiences and create space for people to grow together.

A

Apply the Bible

Help people connect Scripture to real life through study, honest discussion, and practical next steps.

B

Build Relationships

Create room for friendship through meals, stories, worship, fun, and meaningful time together.

C

Care for Each Other

Make prayer, accountability, encouragement, and practical help a normal part of your group culture.

A healthy leader rhythm

Simple habits make a meaningful difference.

  • Pray: Know your people and pray for them throughout the week.
  • Prepare: Review the discussion guide and choose the questions your group needs most.
  • Communicate: Clearly share when and where you are meeting.
  • Be consistent: Meet at least twice each month during active terms.
  • Take attendance: Complete the report after each gathering.
  • Develop others: Give people responsibility and identify future leaders.

Do not lead alone

Give your group ownership.

Shared roles help people use their gifts, deepen their investment, and free the leader to focus on shepherding, discussion, and developing others.

Connect Group LeaderWins when people have meaningful, faith-shaping interactions

Shepherd the group, facilitate discussion, care for members, communicate consistently, and raise up new leaders.

  • Prepare and guide the conversation
  • Keep the ABCs balanced
  • Partner with your coach
HostWins when the gathering space feels warm, safe, and inviting

Prepare the home or meeting space and help every person—especially someone new—feel comfortable from the moment they arrive.

  • Prepare seating, lighting, and basic needs
  • Greet people as they arrive
  • Help manage setup and distractions
Care CoordinatorWins when no one feels overlooked in celebration or crisis

Help the group respond with prayer and practical care when someone is absent, hurting, or celebrating a major milestone.

  • Track prayer requests and follow up
  • Coordinate meals, visits, or care
  • Tell the leader when more support is needed
Party CoordinatorWins when people become friends, not just meeting attendees

Plan social moments that build trust and connection outside the normal discussion setting.

  • Plan at least one social gathering each term
  • Keep events inclusive and accessible
  • Help newcomers connect more quickly
Tech CoordinatorWins when everyone stays informed and connected

Use Church Center and your group communication tools to keep details, attendance, and resources organized.

  • Take attendance after each meeting
  • Send reminders and updates
  • Share guides, links, and resources
Future LeaderWins when they are equipped to help another group flourish

Invite a developing leader into real responsibility. Let them facilitate, care for people, and learn alongside you.

  • Give them meaningful opportunities
  • Offer encouragement and helpful feedback
  • Talk with your coach about next steps

Keep making room

Invite people in. Raise leaders up.

Healthy groups are welcoming by intention and multiplying by design. An invitation can help someone move from being unknown in a row to being known in a circle, while multiplication creates room for even more people to experience that community.

01

Build an invitation culture

Do not make inviting people a one-time campaign. Regularly remind your group that there is room at the table and encourage each person to notice who may need community.

  • Pray together for people to invite.
  • Make invitations personal, clear, and low-pressure.
  • Prepare the group to warmly welcome someone new.
  • Follow up after a guest’s first gathering.
02

Prepare to multiply

Multiplication is not a group breaking apart—it is a group sending equipped people to create another place of belonging. Begin developing leaders before growth makes multiplication urgent.

  • Notice people who care well and help others participate.
  • Give future leaders real opportunities to facilitate.
  • Talk openly about multiplication before the group is full.
  • Plan the next step with your coach.
A helpful question:Who is not in a Connect Group yet—and what can our group do to make room for them?

Consistency and rest

Lead with a healthy group rhythm.

Connect Groups meet in focused terms with intentional breaks. During off terms, keep relationships warm without recreating a full weekly schedule.

Fall TermLabor Day through Thanksgiving
Holiday BreakThanksgiving through New Year’s Day
Winter + SpringJanuary through the end of June
Summer BreakEnd of June through Labor Day

During a break: aim for one simple connection each month—a meal, cookout, game night, service opportunity, or another gathering that fits your people.

Practical resources

Find what you need for your next step.

Use these tools to prepare your group, communicate well, and get help before a small challenge becomes a large one.

Weekly

Discussion Guides

Find the latest group discussion material and manage the people in your group through Church Center.

Open Church Center Groups →

Group Health

Connect Group Covenant

Use this covenant to establish shared expectations and help your group build a healthy, committed community.

Open Group Covenant →

Studies

RightNow Media

Explore video Bible studies and supporting material for group or personal use.

Browse RightNow Media →

Leadership

GroupLeaders.org

Grow your skills with articles, training, and ideas created for group leaders.

Visit GroupLeaders.org →

Family Logistics

Childcare Ideas

Review practical approaches, then talk with your group and choose a plan that fits your families.

Group Activity

Color Personality Quiz

Choose the word that describes you best in each row, then discover your strongest temperament colors.

Communication

Church Center Messaging

Message individual group members or keep the whole group updated directly through the Church Center app.

Open Your Group →

Recommended Reading

Develop as a Leader

Leadership as an Identity by Crawford Loritts and Hero Maker by Dave Ferguson and Warren Bird are strong next reads.

Ask Your Coach for More Ideas →

Family logistics

Childcare ideas for Connect Groups

There is no single plan every group must use. Talk with the parents in your group, consider safety and accessibility, and choose a consistent approach that helps adults participate while children are cared for well.

Swap discussion timesDivide the adults into two groups. One discusses while the other watches the children, then switch after a set time.
Rotate a childcare teamSchedule two adults to care for children in a separate space each week so responsibility is shared.
Partner with another groupTwo groups meeting on different nights can trade childcare and serve one another.
Meet around kids programmingWhen appropriate, coordinate meeting time or location with an existing church children’s activity.
Share the costFamilies can pool a small amount to hire a trusted childcare provider for the discussion portion of the gathering.
Invite a trusted student helperA responsible older student may be able to lead activities for younger children with proper adult oversight.
Gather as familiesKeep children nearby or include older kids in age-appropriate ways, then shorten or adapt the discussion as needed.

Start with the families in front of you.Ask what would help them participate consistently, agree on expectations, and revisit the plan when the group’s needs change.

Color Personality Quiz

Which colors describe you?

For each row, choose the one word or phrase that describes you best. There are no right or wrong answers. Your selections stay on this device and are not submitted anywhere.

You are not alone

Ask for support early.

Your coach and Berean’s group leadership are here to pray with you, help you think through a challenge, choose a study, care for someone in crisis, or plan for multiplication.

Contact Your Coach

Healthy leaders help healthy groups grow.

Thank you for creating a place where people can apply the Bible, build authentic relationships, care for one another, and become more and better Jesus followers.