Leading Hope at Home 

Hey Hope at Home leaders!

We are so grateful for your willingness to open your homes and hearts to our church family. As you guide your groups each month, remember that you are creating vital spaces for real connection and growth in faith, right in the heart of our community – our homes.

In the below video, Lisa Enebeli and Jesse and Natalie Weedman shared some powerful & encouraging thoughts to keep in mind as you lead. They reminded us that:

• Your role isn't to deliver a sermon, but to facilitate meaningful discussions, much like the early church in Acts 2. 
• The devo book for the year (the "Blueprint Book"!) Pastor Dustin has provided is a fantastic tool to ensure we're all exploring similar themes while giving you the flexibility to tailor conversations to your unique group. 
• It’s all about hearing from one another, sharing life's joys and challenges, and growing together.

Think of your home group as a microcosm of the care and community we value so deeply. By fostering open dialogue, you're creating an environment where genuine friendships and deeper faith can flourish.

The summary below is from the video.

• Home Church Discussion Leadership Overview (0:01)
  • Lisa Enebeli introduces herself as the home church discussion leader, highlighting her role alongside the worship leader and host home.
  • She expresses gratitude for the trust placed in them by Dustin and Jeanna Smith to lead discussions outside the church.
  • Lisa emphasizes the importance of discussion leaders not feeling the need to preach or recreate Sunday morning services in their home groups.
  • She references Acts 2:42 to illustrate the original intent of house-to-house meetings, focusing on discussions and the operation of spiritual gifts.
• The Role of the Blueprint Book (1:49)
  • Lisa discusses the year-long blueprint book created by Pastor Dustin, which provides a guide for home group discussion leaders.
  • The book ensures consistency across all home groups, regardless of location, by providing a set of questions for each month.
  • Lisa shares an example of how she tailors her discussions to the theme of the month, using the topic of "rhythms" and relating it to her entrepreneurial home group.
  • She appreciates the freedom the book offers while maintaining the theme of the month, which helps keep the discussions relevant and engaging.
• Unique Characteristics of Lisa's Home Group (3:41)
  • Lisa describes her home group as a collection of entrepreneurs, each with their own business or profession, which influences the discussion topics.
  • She values the opportunity to hear the hearts and thoughts of her home group members, fostering a sense of community and support.
  • Lisa mentions the unique dynamics of her home group, including members who travel frequently and those involved in foster care.
  • She highlights the importance of open discussion in understanding the needs and experiences of her home group members.
• The Importance of Non-Sermonizing in Home Groups (5:20)
  • Lisa stresses the need for home group leaders to avoid sermonizing and instead focus on facilitating discussions.
  • She explains that home groups are a time for dialog and sharing, not for the leader to take over like a Sunday morning service.
  • Lisa outlines the activities that occur in her home group, such as praying together, taking communion, and sharing joys and sorrows.
  • She emphasizes the role of the home group leader in creating a safe and engaging environment for discussion.
• Support and Communication Within the Home Group (6:26)
  • Lisa mentions the core group leader who oversees her home group, filtering information up to the leadership team.
  • She appreciates the model of having home group leaders report back to the core group leaders, who then communicate with the senior leadership.
  • Lisa expresses gratitude for the blueprint and boundaries set out for home group discussion leaders, which help them stay organized and focused.
  • She encourages other home group leaders to fashion their discussion questions around the theme of the month and to use the provided blueprint as a guide.
• Tips for Effective Home Group Leadership (9:30)
  • Jesse and Natalie Weedman share tips for connecting with each other outside of home group meetings, such as dropping off care packages during times of sickness.
  • They emphasize the importance of staying connected through group chats and discussing needs and prayer requests.
  • Jesse advises adjusting questions each month to fit the specific needs and topics of the home group, while staying on the overall theme.
  • The focus is on facilitating conversations that allow members to reveal their thoughts and experiences, fostering a sense of community and support.

Hopefully these tips will help you lead and serve your Hope at Home families well! Keep up the amazing work of serving your Hope at Home families!

God bless!