Small Group Hosting
& Facilitation
3 Essential Elements of Alpha
Connection
Christian Teaching
Conversation
What is the aim of the
Small Group?
1. Friendship
2. Discussion
3. Prayer
4. Intro to Bible
5. Ministry/Caring
6. Training
What does the Small Group
look like?
• Bigger group size is 8-12:
 two hosts
 two helpers
 eight guests
• Smaller groups have 6-8:
 one host
 one helper
 four to six guests
Practical Details
• Sit in a circle
• Group people together with similarities
(age, language, ESOL, EGR)
• 45 minutes maximum for discussion
• Hosts and helpers mix in with guests
• Always end on time!
1. Making Friends
• Friendship attracts people to church
• Small groups encourage friendship
• Good hosts facilitate friendships and help create
a sociable environment in the group
• Continue meeting after Alpha ends
2. Discussion
• Guests discuss the teaching they have just heard
• Ask questions and express opinions
• Different from leading a church home group or small
group!
• Listen to the opinions of guests with humility and
grace – not answer all the questions
Role of the Host
• Ask questions that will get the group talking
• Keep the discussion on topic
• Encourage balanced participation among guests
• Listen actively, allowing for silences
• Encourage different viewpoints
• Summarize what has been said
• Make sure group ends on time
Hosting Challenges
• Ineffective hosting is…
 not being properly prepared
 letting one guest do all the talking
• Over-dominant hosts...
 do all the talking
 are afraid of silence
Be a good encourager!
Why don’t group hosts
provide answers to questions?
1) Guests will be afraid to disagree or doubt
2) The talks shed light on Biblical principles, and it’s up
to guests to decide what they believe.
3) We need to trust the Holy Spirit to change people in
time.
4) Even Jesus let the rich young ruler walk away and
reject the truths he was told (Luke 18).
Role of the Helper
Nicky Gumbel teaches that “as a general rule, helpers should
remain silent and pray.” This is VERY helpful!
However, depending on the helper’s skills & experiences,
s/he could also:
• Clarify questions (John do you mean this & this?)
• Affirm opinions (Yes, I totally agree with that)
• Model sharing and openness (I sometimes feel confused too!)
• Take attendance (not in front of guests)
• Ensure the group concludes on time
• Be available for questions/prayer
3. Learning to Pray Together
• Listen to others praying short simple prayers
• Make it easy for guests to start praying together
• Make sure no one feels alienated
• Pray for guests on the Weekend/Day Away and
Healing Night
4. Introducing Bible Study
•
Explain that the Bible, Word of God and
Scripture are the same thing!
•
Discuss options for creative Bible reading
•
Provide a simple example using
2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
5. Learn to Minister to Others
Serving others
Praying for others
Using the gifts of the Holy Spirit
6. Training Others to Host
Guest
Helper
Host Facilitator
• Good hosts and helpers are friendly, sociable and
able to relate well to others
• Train the team before every Alpha course
Get into groups of 6-8
and pick one of the
following topics:
1/ The next national holiday should be…
2/ Does age matter in relationships?
3/ The most underpaid profession is…
Remember to pick a Host and Helper.
The rest of you can be opinionated, talkative,
disruptive, doubting guests. Have fun!
Small Group Language
Responding to Questions:
Encouragement & Affirmation:
• Great question, what do the rest
of you think?
• Can you explain a bit more, or
give an example?
• Are you wondering if…
• Has anyone else felt that way
too?
• Does that make you feel…
confused, betrayed, deceived,
anxious?
•
•
(learn feeling words!)
•
•
•
•
Thank you for sharing that.
I appreciate your honesty. Tell us
more.
Yes I can relate to that too!
Take a minute to think about my
question. That’s what we’re here for.
No rush.
It’s okay to have different opinions
and disagree; discussion helps us
learn!
I’m glad you’re here.
Alpha Canada Website
www.alphacanada.org