Saying “yes” to something for the first time can lead to some nerves! This includes milestones like the first day of school, the first time driving alone after earning your license, the first day at a new job, or even the first time holding a newborn baby. Some firsts in life just have to be experienced, no matter how well prepared or unprepared we might feel. Having some clear expectations really helps!
Here are some things you can expect as you facilitate Rooted for the first time:
You Don’t Need to Have All the Answers
In fact, you are not asked or expected to have all the answers. As a Rooted facilitator, you are being asked to facilitate a conversation and lead through experiences. You are not expected to be a teacher or an expert. In fact, such a posture can actually harm the Rooted experience for your group participants. You are asked to be a guide, guiding the conversations and experiences that God will use to grow people closer to Him and deeper in discipleship. Trust the material, trust the process, and trust God to show up and do what only He can do.
You Should Be Trained and Encouraged Regularly
An expectation of churches offering Rooted is to lead weekly facilitator training meetings. Most churches offer these right before each Rooted group meeting or after a weekend service for convenience. These are designed to prepare you for each week’s conversation, the Rooted experiences you will be facilitating, and to remind you that you are not alone in this discipleship experience. You have a contact from the church who is there to support, encourage, train and answer any questions that may arise. Make these meetings a priority in your calendar. These meetings exist to help you be the best possible facilitator you can be!
God Will Work in Your Group
Don’t be surprised when God shows up in the life of every participant and in your life. Rooted has been used for nearly two decades to grow people in the discipleship rhythms of Acts 2. We are literally practicing the same rhythms people have practiced to grow closer to Jesus since the very beginning of the Church.
It’s not uncommon for first-time facilitators to be surprised to find that they grow just as much as the people in their group. Leading others through The 7 Rhythms of Discipleship has a way of deepening your own faith in the process. One of the best steps of discipleship for us in our faith is to disciple others.
One Final Thought
Your role as a Rooted facilitator is not complex or difficult, but it is incredibly important. Thank you for saying yes to being authentic, going first, and creating safe environments for life changing conversations and experiences where discipleship can grow. You will be making a bigger impact than you can even imagine.
