July 27, 2022

03: What does it look like to be a great MRT Facilitator?

18 minutes

In episode three, Chris Rivers and cohost Turner Vaughn unpack several key components of being a great MRT facilitator through reviewing the MRT Facilitator Handbook (http://gracechurchsc.org/MRThandbook). Although this role is multifaceted, there are several practical and relational ways to lead a group that best facilitate growth and participation among members.

HIGHLIGHTS:

It is important to create a rhythm of expectation for weekly meetings by being clear and consistent in communication with group members. This can be accomplished by holding yourself accountable and setting a precedent for communicating the expectations for the week. Leading by example in sharing the questions that you have been thinking through, discussions that you wish to have, and assigning group members responsibilities in a discussion can be transformative in the quality of group dialogue.

As a leader, learning how to dig deeper in the midst of member’s sharing is an essential tool that helps to foster growth in a group setting. Being willing to share your own stories and struggles is the first step in learning to dig deeper. Using language such as “core comfort/core sin” and identifying this for yourself will allow you to help other members identify areas of sin in their own lives. As a leader, it is important to identify deficits that you may have in the leading discussions. Do you overshare in order to relate? Do you participate in discussion enough, and do you lead well? Do you allow discipleship to happen within a group by allowing members to counsel each other? All of these questions are worth exploring as you are encouraged to review Peter Hubbard’s message in “Asking Great Questions,” which is linked in “Next Steps” below.

NEXT STEPS:

Get with an MRT leader coach and review Peter Hubbard’s message: “Asking Great Questions” (apple.co/3fwNvJK).

Review p.13 in the MRT Facilitator Handbook and challenge yourself by analyzing what “question-killer” you identify with most, and create a next-step plan that allows you to least identify with each.

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