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NURTURE GROUP LEADING

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N.B. The Nurture Course which I prepared for my church when I was in active ministry, with leaders notes and notes for those attending, I will be placing on this web site soon.

The goal of a church is to have Nurture Groups on an on-going basis in homes, using material prepared by the Vicar/Pastor or from some other source and revised as it is used. These will require leaders.

Nurture Groups will be formed as and when there are two or more people needing this ministry.

These Nurture Groups will consist of two or more (up to a maximum of six) new Christians, with a leader and a helper. The helper will be a Christian in the congregation, who, while not feeling able to be responsible for a Nurture group, feels able and willing to help new Christians as they begin their Christian Life.

Under this scheme there will be Nurture Groups going on at different places, but at different stages. Such is the nature of the course, that except for the first session which includes getting to know each other, the other six sessions can be taken in any order, so theoretically a Nurture Group could be continuous, people joining when they are converted, and leaving when they have completed the six sessions.

1. A firm faith in Jesus and a desire to help others in their faith.

2. An ability to understand the course, and to identify with the subjects being tackled. This requires the willingness to study the course, and be clear about it, seeking help from the Vicar/Pastor where needed.

3. Some ability to explain the Christian Faith in a simple and direct way, and relate it to our experience.

4. An ability to put people at their ease, and encourage them to talk and share their faith, its joys and its difficulties.

5. Ability to give time for one hour a week and the use of their homes for the group to meet. A place to meet may be found by the members of the Group offering their homes.

6. Readiness to spend time in preparation and prayer. Prayer for ones being nurtured, and prayer for the sessions.

To help new Christians in the first steps and early days of their new found faith, and particularly to -

1. Help them to understand what has happened to them when they were converted.

2. Help them to know a little of the blessings they enjoy.

3. Help them to begin to use the means of grace - Bible reading and prayer.

4. Help them to understand the difficulties they will or may have to face, and how to combat them.

5. Help them to integrate into the life of the church and find their home in the Church family.

6. Be available to support and help new Christians in any way during the first weeks of their Christian lives.

Each session should be conducted in a relaxed and homely way, so that members feel at home and able to share and talk.

Although there is inevitably some time taken up in instruction, there should be maximum encouragement of Group discussion, conversation, sharing, contributing and questions.

Be prepared to answer the felt needs of the group, and be prepared to digress if necessary. The Course is a guide and a teaching aid. The aim is to get over the aspect of Christian living and truth set out in the session. Although the session can be followed as set out in the course, it need not be. The course may be used as a framework, and as long as we teach what the session is seeking to teach, we can vary things to suit the occasion.

Seek to involve everyone, including the helper, by asking for opinions, responses, and by asking questions. The helper can be invaluable here as one who shares his or her experience on the topic being learnt.

Seek to be practical and relate everything to daily life. Get the members to practice prayer and Bible reading together.

Give time for just fellowship and refreshments - the inevitable cup of coffee.

Don't hesitate to consult the Vicar/Pastor if some part of the course is obscure or difficult to understand or use, or if you want advice when you feel that things have not gone too well.

If you feel the course lacks something, or could be improved in some way, share this with your minister.

While the course is progressing, encourage members to consider joining one of the weekly meetings in our church for fellowship and learning. i.e. Midweek Contact, Bible Study Groups on Fridays or Wednesdays. Lunch Bunch, Coffee Mornings. If the member of the Group is a teenagers, then there is the Pathfinders and CYFA.

It will be good for Nurture Leaders to meet together from time to time to pray and share.

Helpers should consider graduating to leaders. Leaders could be recruiting further helpers.

Bibles from the church can be borrowed. But see they are brought back when not is use for more than a week. New Christians should be encouraged to get and use their own Bibles.

The course can and will be provided, and sufficient copies for all who need them. Consideration will be given to two versions - one for the leaders and one for the members in the Group.

If costs are involved - stationery, etc. - hopefully the church will meet this cost.