Leader Quick Start
For microgroups, groups, and congregational renewal adventures. Centered & Soaring teaching modules are designed to help people grow in Christ through simple, reproducible microgroups. They may be stand-alone microgroups and used in classes and in large groups formats.
You don't need to be an expert to lead—just willing to gather a few people, watch, discuss, and pray together.
Get Together. Get Changed. Get Going.
Begin with Yourself
Remember that Jesus focused deeply on a few, no matter how many followed him. You are never too busy to invest your life in a few others—and you will all grow.
Gather a Microgroup
See below for settings like classes and large groups.
A microgroup is:
- Ideally 3–4 people
- Meeting about an hour per week
- For five weeks (more or less)
You may:
- Invite two or three people personally.
- Encourage existing small groups to use a module.
- Ask emerging leaders to host their own microgroups.
Groups may meet:
- In homes.
- At church.
- In workplaces or cafés.
- Online (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, FaceTime).
Microgroup Meeting Format:
- Word – Watch the video with the Learning Guide for the transferable concept. Discuss Learning Guide questions.
- Prayer – blessings and needs.
- Pray for one another.
Use Modules in Different Settings
Use these training modules in the transferable concepts of the Christian life for:
- Microgroups meeting in homes.
- Existing small groups.
- Sunday School and mid-week classes.
- Youth, men's, women's and other gatherings.
- Church-wide studies (for example, during Lent or the fall).
- Leadership development groups.
Use the Modules in Larger Groups
Have a ministry team – a few people who love Jesus, love people and will serve. The Ministry team spreads among the microgroups, follows up on new and absent people, handles organizational details, meets regularly to plan and pray.
A large group meeting rhythm – modify to fit your situation.
- Gather together for teaching – perhaps a song or two at the beginning.
- Be sure participants have a copy of the downloadable Learning Guide.
- Show the video. Offer encouragement in the practice of the transferable concept.
- Move into microgroups to discuss the concept, share blessings and needs and pray.
- Encourage participants to practice the concept they are learning during the week.
Use the Modules for Congregational Renewal Adventure and Seasons like Lent
Such special renewal adventures and seasons of the church create entry points for people to become more deeply involved, grow with Jesus and grow new friends.
- Invite people to sign-up for 5 weeks (plus or minus)
- Assign people to microgroups of 3-4. Existing groups simply join for the 5 weeks.
- Those who want to recruit their own microgroups are welcome to do it.
- Preach each week on some aspect of the transferable concept of the module. Emphasize on both learning and doing.
- The microgroups may meet on their own during the week in-person or online.
- AND/OR you may have everyone gather one evening per week using the larger group meeting rhythm above.
- You may host kick-off and wrap-up gatherings on an evening featuring a bit of singing and sharing.
Encourage Multiplication
- Invite participants to start new microgroups.
- Encourage each group to invest in others.
- Keep the process simple and reproducible.
The Heart of the Process
If you care about helping others grow spiritually, you already have what it takes to begin. These modules provide the structure, so you can focus on listening, encouraging, and praying. Invite two or three people and take the first step together.
Get Going
The most important step is simply to begin. Invite a few people, set a time, and trust God to guide the process as you learn together.
Explore modulesFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our community and how we can support your faith journey.
It's very easy. Just click on the Sign Up / Sign In link in our menu.
Nothing. The lessons and resources are free due to the generosity of those who support the Vital Churches Institute, Inc. The "Give" tab on our menu gives people a way to partner with us.
You may start one yourself (it's easy) or encourage your pastor or another leader to get the ball rolling.
To start one yourself, just ask two or three people to join you for five weeks for just over an hour each week. In-person at a home or church or another place – or you may meet online using Zoom or another online platform.
Yes! Using online platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and Facetime, it is very easy for microgroups to meet. Larger groups may also meet on those platforms and move people into "chat rooms" for the microgroup portion of the meeting.
Microgroups are small faith communities of just 3 or 4 people. You can meet just as two and as many as five or six, although 3 to 4 is ideal. Larger groups may meet in their large group format and then move people into microgroups for discussion and prayer.
Larger groups allow for the benefits of "large group—small group balance." Meet in the larger group for announcements, perhaps some singing and to watch the lesson video. Move into microgroups of 4 or so, for discussion and prayer. You may come back together at the end for a closing word and perhaps a song or you may let the microgroups dismiss themselves when they are finished.