Gather Your Group

Why do we gather? 

Gathering, whether it’s with family, friends, or community, is sacred. We’re maybe feeling the truth of that now more than ever. And gathering with other women is especially meaningful. I know, I know. It can be hard to have friendships with women. We can be difficult, petty. But when we ditch the pettiness and pride, gather together humbly, genuine friendships are built. And, oh my friend, let me tell you that true friendship with other women is one of the most beautiful things you will ever experience. 

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. — Matthew 18:20

As you prepare to start the Meant to Live: Six Sessions course, here are some ideas for how you can gather your group and make this time of learning and reflection even more impactful.

Gather Your Group

Think outside the box as you consider who to learn alongside. Who are the people you haven’t had a chance to connect with lately? Is there an old group of friends from college or an old job or a town you moved away from a few years ago? What about the moms you see at the playground every Wednesday morning or the woman you chat with after yoga class on Monday nights? (Well, pre-COVID-19 that is.)

It’s great to form a group with women you know and trust from your church or close community, but also take some time to consider other women who might need the course, your friendship, and deeper community with other women.

Look for an outlier. Is there a woman who is constantly on the fringes and doesn’t really have a landing place? Invite her in. 

Choose the Format

In-person or online--whatever you decide, the most important piece is that you’re together. If you’re in an area that is still under a shelter-in-place order, we have ideas for meeting online. If you’re in an area that permits gathering together in-person, we have ideas for that too! 

Online Formats

We know that the idea of gathering online will never again be foreign to us after our lives have been so deeply impacted by COVID-19. If you start this series during a time when you’re still limited to gathering in person, or if you decided to do this series with a group of women from around the country, explore these tools for ways to gather online:

• Zoom—Most everyone is now familiar with Zoom. If everyone already has the app downloaded, go with Zoom!   

• Google Meet—Previously Google Hangouts, the new update lets you invite as many people as you want and still be able to see everyone’s video on your screen.  

• House Party—If you’re meeting with a group of women who prefer to use their phones, try out House Party!  

In-Person Formats  

Meeting in person is such a treat, especially to take a break from busy life with a group of girlfriends and share in learning. If you’re able to meet in person, here are some ideas of places to gather: 

• Coffee shops—Ah, thank goodness for coffee shops! If your local shop doesn’t have a big enough space or a backroom you can reserve, you can also consider little cafes and tea shops. 

• Libraries —Check with your local library on when their study rooms are available for reservations. Bonus: it doesn't require anyone to feel obligated to buy a drink the way a coffee shop does. 

• Community centers—Similar to libraries, if your town has a community center, see if you can reserve some of the space for your weekly gathering. You can even check with your local YMCA to see if they have a room for rent.

• Local park pavilions—If you start this series during the summer and your group is full of women who love the outdoors, why not gather at a park? Just make sure you have the ability to watch the videos at the start of each lesson.

• Someone’s home—This is perhaps the easiest option on the list of in-person options. But it also means one woman in your group won’t get the delight of leaving her everyday life. If you do opt for meeting in homes, try rotating the homes or the hosting responsibilities. And keep it simple.

Set the Stage

The last and maybe most important part of gathering your group is setting the stage. Here’s where you and your group can outline guidelines so the experience of studying together is one filled with openness to God’s presence and movement rather than tension and resentment.

• Choose a leader or decide how you’ll trade off leading responsibilities

• Agree on dates to gather. For example, the Meant to Live: Six Sessions course works best in a weekly format. Try to choose a time and commit to keeping that slot open for the duration of the course. 

• Agree on a time frame. Does everyone want to gather together for an hour? Two hours? Does anyone in the group have strict cut-off times if one gathering ends up going long? Set the framework early to help everyone feel included.  

• Agree on discussion dynamics. Part of the leader’s job is to balance conversation, but it’s important to address this upfront, then gently guide along the way. Make it known that everyone’s voice is welcomed and needed. Good, healthy discussion happens when everyone participates, but no one will be put on the spot if you’re a silent type, a ponderer and an internal processor.  

• Commit to protecting each other. You’re going to be prompted to address some topics that might make you feel vulnerable. Agree upfront that your group is sacred and safe. Make a commitment to keep people’s shared thoughts private. 

• Decide on child care. If you’re meeting during the summer or in the evenings, find a local high school student or two to watch all the kids and split the cost across participating women. 

As you prepare to gather together with your group, remember this act of gathering is big. It’s sacred. In gathering together, we come as we are, and where we are in a particular place in time. We share what God is doing in and around us—the ups and downs, ins and outs as honestly as we’re able. 

We share Jesus with each other. And bring on the glory! 

Are you ready to do this? Let’s go!