This document provides a week-by-week guide for an 8-week starter small group curriculum using the Life Rules study by Andy Stanley. It outlines the weekly objectives, icebreakers, and curriculum sessions. The guide emphasizes building relationships, facilitating discussion, having fun, and focusing on connecting relationally over completing the curriculum. It also provides tips for effective group leadership, such as preparing for meetings, cultivating discussion, and following up with members between sessions.

1. Week 4 Objective: To understand that forgiveness is an essential Next Steps:
foundation for all of the other life rules. Unless you can forgive, it 1. Contact your regional coordinator and inform him/her of the
will be impossible to abide the other life rules with consistency. group’s next step and any group members that may not be
Icebreaker: What day of your life would you most like to re-live continuing.
and why? 2. If the group chooses to continue, plan on taking a break GroupConnect
Curriculum: Session 2 - Free to Forgive - prepare by reading between studies and do something fun together.
the Leaders session notes on pages 62 -65. 3. The group should decide on whether to stay together for an
additional 10, 16 or 22 months before multiplying.
Week 5 Objective: To understand acceptance. We’ll see how God’s 4. Discuss curriculum options with your staff coach. We strongly
love is unconditional and is not based on “getting ourselves together” suggest that you choose curriculum that is 6 to 8 weeks in length
first. This is the kind of love we are to show forothers. and easy to facilitate. Curriculum suggestions are provided for
Icebreaker: What is one thing that a lot of people assume your convenience.
starter group
Leader Guide
about you that you wish they wouldn’t? 5. Plan on attending the next New Leader Orientation when it is
Curriculum: Session 3 - Theact of acceptance - prepare by reading offered. Schedule a one-on-one meeting with your coach to
the Leaders session notes on pages 66 -69. discuss your group and to begin your leader development
training.
6. CONGRATULATIONS!
Week 6 Objective: To learn how we can impact relationships in the
You are now a fully functioning small group.
most profound way. To see how serving others actually serves us.
Icebreaker: I am most like my Mom or Dad when I ___________.
Curriculum: Session 4 - It’s your serve - prepare by reading
the Leaders session notes on pages 70 -73.
Week 7 Objective: To learn how to biblically encourage others and
help them stay on track with God.
Icebreaker: In what area of your life would you like greater
peace and why? GroupLife
Curriculum: Session 5 - The courage to encourage - prepare by
reading the Leaders session notes on pages 74 -77. 10130 Causeway Boulevard
Tampa, Florida 33619
Week 8 Objective: To learn how to demonstrate God’s grace in Phone: 813-626-0783
unmistakable ways. www.crossingonline.org
Icebreaker: An emotion I ofetn feel but don’t usually express
is _________________.
Curriculum: Session 6 - I submit - prepare by reading the Leaders
session notes on pages 78 -81.

2. Using the Curriculum Weekly Objective
Dear Starter Group Leader,
1. Life rules clearly explains God’s basic set of life rules, which, Week 1 Objective: Start the group off by doing an activity together
Thank you for your willingness to facilitate your group. Listed
when lived, hold the power to improve your current relation- that will help break the ice. Having dinner together is always an
below are a few important principles we believe will help you ships and mend hurting ones. This is a study everyone will easy way to start.
successfully facilitate your group. We’ve also provided a week- benefit from, regardless of spiritual maturity. Remember that Icebreaker: Ask each member their name, how long they’ve been
by-week guide for facilitating the group using Life Rules by Andy as a starter group, your main goal is to get to know one at the church and why they want to be in a small group.
Stanley. Your regional coordinator or staff coach will be checking another and hopefully lay the foundation for a successful
small group. This curriculum is an effective tool to help you Curriculum: None
your progress, so please let him/her know of any challenges, • Start telling your stories by having the group list 3 people that
build this foundation if you use it correctly.
successes or questions. And again, thanks for facilitating! have played a significant role in their life, and then have them
2. Don’t teach…..facilitate. Your primary job is to create an
environment where people feel comfortable and keep the continue with 3 events and 3 places that help tell their story.
meeting generally on track. Leading a small group is not about People should be free to share as little or as much as they want
Facilitating the Group since some members may not be Christians. Aim for getting
answering all the questions for the group. In fact, you will find
1. Prioritize Relationally: The goal of the group over the next 8 weeks through half of the group members’ stories in the first week.
your group is most successful when the members do most of
is for you to become well acquainted with each other, not
the talking. As the leader, we suggest you watch the weekly • As the leader, you set the tone so plan on sharing first.
simply complete the curriculum. At the end of the 8 weeks,
session before your small group meeting. This will allow you to • Ask group members to bring a current photo of their family to
your group will determine if the relational chemistry exists
come to each session better prepared to facilitate the discussion. the next meeting.
to the point that you want to continue on as a small group.
While studying a curriculum is an important part of the group, 3. Cultivate discussion. The ideas of the group members are what Week 2 Objective: Continue telling each others stories. Have every-
be sure you prioritize connecting over curriculum over the next will make the small group meeting successful. The most valuable one share family photos.
8 weeks. thing you can do as a leader is to get people to share their thought.
Icebreaker: What would be a great vacation for you and why?
Since you are using a video curriculum, be aware that the video
2. Stay Predictable: During the starter period, we strongly encourage Curriculum: None
portion of the study may cause some people to shift into listening
your group to meet every week on an agreed upon day and at an
mode. Your job as a leader is to help get all the members engaged • Pick up where you left off last week and allow group members to
agreed upon time. Frequently changing the meeting day and time
to create a richer discussion. finish telling their stories.
is a prescription for failure.
4. Take time at the beginning of each meeting to reflect back as a • Ask each member what their expectations are for being in
3. Fill Out a Covenant: Be sure your group reviews and completes
group on the previous week’s lesson. Make notes and follow the group.
the covenant for the starter period. This will help clarify the goals
up on individual members’ comments from one week to the
and expectations of the group and allow everyone to start with the • Review the small group covenant values and goals and dis-
next. This will help foster a sense of belonging and care within
same understanding. cuss any expectations that are different from those of the
the group.
4. Start Light / End Light: Start each week with 15-20 minutes of group members .
5. Each lesson is built around key Scripture verses and sets the
fellowship and refreshments before you move into the more • Determine the guidelines for the group, then complete the
pattern that is necessary for every subsequent discussion you
intense elements of Bible study and prayer. This will allow the guidelines section of the covenant and have members sign it.
do as a group. Make reading the verses as a group a part of each
group to reconnect relationally each week before you dive into the Week 3 Objective: To see that our attitudes toward each other are
meeting, and take advantage of opportunities to challenge
curriculum. After discussing the study and praying together, end a direct reflection of our attitude toward God, because He has
members to memorize key passages of Scripture.
the meeting with additional fellowship and refreshments. This will commanded us to love and respect each other. Therefore, the success
allow you to end each week on a relational note. 6. There are multiple points in the study where members are to
of our relationship with God is impacted by the success of our
apply principles to their lives. Encourage members to pray and
5. Have Fun: We want the group to be an enjoyable and an relationship with people in our lives.
encourage each other from week-to-week on these and other
encouraging experience. Make sure laughter is a part of the Icebreaker: People might be surprised to find out that I _______.
topics. This is how you will begin to build authentic community
meeting every week.
within your group and help encourage spiritual growth for Curriculum: Session 1 - Rules of Engagement - prepare by reading
yourself and the other members. the Leaders session notes on pages 51 -61.