On this episode of the Group Answers podcast, Chris and Brian sit down with Steve Gladen to talk about next steps for online and in-person groups.

Expressing the Five Purposes in an Online Small Group

Worship online:

* Find a worship song on YouTube, share your screen on your Zoom meeting, and sing together.

* Create “My Small Group Playlist” on Spotify and have members add their favorite worship songs to listen to during workouts, drives, or chores around the house.

* Pick a time to watch the weekly online worship service together on a Zoom meeting.

* Have a group member track prayer requests using a Google Doc, shared the link, and regularly give updates on how God has answered past prayers.

* Host a communion worship time during your online meeting. The week before taking communion, instruct group members to purchase crackers and juice to have ready on the next group meeting. Contact your Connection Pastor for further details.

* Interested in diving into deeper theological topics? Take “Foundations: 11 Core Truths to Build Your Life On” together at Saddleback.thinkific.com/courses/foundations. Spend a few minutes in your group time to discuss what you’re each learning.

* Explore having each group member plan a personal retreat using the resources at Saddleback.com/connect/ministry/retreat-ministry. Set a date, walk through the details on a group meeting, have the personal retreat, and during your next group meeting discuss what God revealed to each of you.

* Use the “Journey with Jesus” 360 tour option Saddleback.com/learn/journey-with-jesus.

* Pick a book on the topic of “Worship” from the recommended list on Saddleback.com/learn/recommended-books to read together.

* Pick a small group study that focuses on growing in the area of “Worship” on Saddleback.com/watch by selecting Small Group Studies and filter by purpose.

Fellowship online:

* Spend 15 minutes during your group meeting for everyone in the group to unmute themselves and answer a fun icebreaker question. Examples: What is your favorite movie? What is your dream vacation spot? Who is the most interesting person you ever met?