Can’t meet in person with your Cell Group? No problem. With a little technology, some creativity, and a little prep, your group can still experience life change together! Here are several ideas from Cell Group Leaders already hosting online groups:
Choose an app/software/platform that your whole group can access. Here are some popular options:
- Zoom Video Chat
- Free for up to 40 minutes. Paid version for $14.99/month
- Great quality, lots of extra options.
- FaceTime Video Chat
- For groups using only Apple devices.
- Limit of 32 video devices at a time.
- Facebook Messenger Video Chat
- Must download the Facebook Messenger app.
- Limit of 50 video devices at a time.
- Google Hangout Video Chat
- Must download the Google Hangout app.
- Limit of 10 video devices at a time.
- Skype Video Chat
- Must download the Skype app.
- Limit of 50 video devices at a time.
Choose a time that works best for everyone, then stick with it.
- Now that you’re meeting online, consider adjusting your meeting time to accommodate work schedules, children’s bedtimes, meal times, etc.
- For instance, your group might all be available mid-morning, or could be free after putting kids to bed in the evening.
Be sure everybody has the app/software/platform before the meeting begins.
- Help people in your group that might not be confident working with technology. If you need help yourself, please contact our church staff!
Send out a link to the study or discussion guide to prepare your group.
- Make sure every member of your group has access to the sermon questions, the video discussion, or the study guide before the group meeting.
Select a quiet room/location in your home.
- Turn off anything making noise in the background (TV, music, appliances).
- Put pets in a different room.
- You might need to ask people to mute their device when they aren’t talking if you are picking up too much ambient noise.
Only use one device per household.
- Use only one device per home. Multiple devices will produce high-pitched feedback.
Put each device on a table or tripod.
- A phone that keeps moving or falling over will be a major distraction.
Allow for casual discussion, but move the conversation along intentionally.
- Make everybody feel welcome just like you would if they were in your home.
- It will probably take some practice to get to the point where conversation flows naturally.
- Try asking specific people to answer questions, or going in order.
- The moderator should talk 20% of the time and listen 80% of the time.
Give your full attention, don’t multitask.
- When participants are not paying full attention it can be a big distraction online just like an in-person group.
- When talking, look at the camera, not just the screen.
Stay focused on experiencing life change together.
- Keep the main thing the main thing! Don’t lose sight of the purpose of your group because the platform has changed from in-person to online.
Stay in touch between meetings.
- Meet one-on-one or with one other couple/family each week.
- Assign prayer partners to call each other and pray through the week.
- Use a text thread to communicate and connect with each other during the week.
Thanks to our friends at Northridge Church for some of these ideas.
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[…] of family members. Why not use that same kind of technology to meet with your Community Group each week? With a few simple steps, your group can be up and running online in just a few minutes. Meeting online takes some getting […]