“Zion Inside Out” Booth

That’s where you can sign up to a Host or to participate in a Small Group.
If you haven’t signed up yet, or have questions stop by the 40 Days “Zion Inside Out” Booth in the narthex. A volunteer should be there every Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 and again at 11:30 to assist you.

Is it appropriate to invite non-Christians?

This study is geared to Christians and helping Christians deepen their community with one another. But one particularly attractive feature of the small group experience during 40 Days of Community is the group mission project. Many people – Christian and non-Christian alike – are drawn to doing something worthwhile to help in their community. You can tell people about our church mission project. This may be the perfect way to include your unchurched friends in your group, enabling them to experience the joy of serving others, and giving them a first-hand glimpse into what real Christian community is all about. Now, if the Lord lays someone on your heart to invite to your entire six-week study that is a non-Christian, INVITE THEM! We will provide you weekly coaching emails to help you adjust your discussion time to accommodate the unchurched perspective.

We are interested in impacting men and women for eternity, whoever they are. Work hard to fill your home and you will be a significant part of this extraordinary campaign that will spiritually transform this community!

How do I get people to come to these meetings?

Because this campaign is focused on our community, we encourage you to simply invite your Christian relatives, neighbors and co-workers, people you already know in your community. Perhaps you have a casual relationship with the people who live in nearby homes, condos, apartments, etc. Maybe you have been looking for a safe way to have a spiritual impact in your workplace. There may be Christians in your life who haven’t attended church for some time who need to be invited back into community with believers.

We will also provide each host with the names of people who sign up for a 40 Days of Community small group that live in your area. The hosts can then extend an invitation to these people to attend the 40 Days Small Group sessions. You could enlist a co-host or a friend to help you with these calls.

We can also assign people to be in your group, if that is preferred.

I will be out of town during one of the weeks of the series. Any suggestions?

If you have to miss a group meeting, simply ask someone else in your group to host and facilitate the evening. If you need a church member to lead the discussion for that evening and you don’t have one in your group, email the host hotline (link at right).

I’m not a church member. Do I need to join in order to be a Host?

Anyone with a TV and VCR or DVD can be a Host, but you must be a member in order to lead the discussion that follows the video teaching. You may join the church before the 40 Days
of Community Campaign by attending a membership class. If you are not able to become a member, we will pair you up with a church member who will be the discussion leader for your group.

Will hosts be asked to continue Hosting this group after the 40 Days of Community Campaign is completed?

We are SO grateful for your gift of six weeks. When your commitment is over, each Host needs to personally decide what his or her role will be with the group. It is our hope that some Hosts will choose to continue with their new groups. If that’s not your plan, we hope you will help the group select a new leader and find a new place to meet. This is why it’s a good idea to share leadership during the six weeks.

What does a host do with the new group that has formed?

As the Host, we are asking that you open your home or meet at church with this new group for six weeks. We ask that you show the video teaching each week and help the group work through the curriculum that has been provided. As a part of 40 Days of Community, you and your group will plan to do a project together where you serve our community. We also hope that you will pray for this new group.

How many people should I be expecting to accommodate as a host?

We suggest inviting between 15-30 people. Then, after the first night, let those in your group invite some of their own friends. In our experience, about half of those who say they will come will actually come. An optimum number of people to have in a small group is 8-10, but if more show up, that’s great! Your study guide will coach you to “sub-group” a larger group for discussion and prayer. If you have less than eight people, that’s great too! Sometimes the most meaningful connection happens in groups of three or four.

Do I need to be a “Bible Expert” to Host?

Definitely not! The most important things that you need are a desire to serve the members of your group and to grow in your own personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When you take this step of faith, through prayer, God’s Holy Spirit will give you what you need to be an effective Host. If you decide to continue following 40 Days, we will provide you with follow-up curriculum choices that will be easy to use. We will also help with additional training and coaching.

Can I get a friend to help me Host?

Absolutely! We encourage you to pair up with another friend or another couple. Together you can pray for the people God will be bringing to your meeting. You can decide how you will share the role of Host. Maybe you open your home and your partner makes the phone calls. Or maybe you both take half the list and make the calls and check back with each other. It is our hope that by teaming up with someone else, you can find a way to make this an exciting and challenging adventure for both of you.