Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.

Transcription

1 PREPARING FOR HUDDLE Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly. --GK Chesterton Like everything else in life, leading a Huddle is a skill you have to develop. No one was born a great Huddle leader. There is a learning curve for the people in your Huddle, but there s also a learning curve for you. G.K. Chesterton didn t mean we should aspire to do things poorly, or that we shouldn t try to improve. Rather, he meant that if we only do what we re good at, we ll never learn to do hard things. We must be willing to be bad at something in order to learn how to be good at it. Some parts of Huddle will come naturally to you, others will take more work. You probably lean towards either invitation or challenge; learning to calibrate them together is a skill you ll use forever. Some of the tools will resonate with you more than others, but the people in your Huddle might have a different experience. Lean into them all. Discipling takes time, effort, and practice. There will be times when you don t feel like you re doing well. That s normal! Pray more, stick with it, get coaching from a strong Huddle leader, and over time you will develop the skill set. Don t forget: You have a community of fellow disciples you can reach out to! If your own Huddle leader put this guide in your hand, it means they think you re ready for this next step. The plan works, so work the plan. Take it one step at a time and see what God does. 1

2 THE STRUCTURE OF HUDDLE You ve been through this, so you know what to expect. Each week has three major components: Character Questions, Scripture Debrief, and Tool Training. The Huddle New Testament takes 30 weeks to read. That time is split into two 15-week terms. In each term, we ll learn five tools and read from one book. Broadly speaking, the two terms cover the two halves of the Learning Circle: Weeks 1-15 cover Repent ( What is God Saying? ) and Weeks focus more on Believe (What Will I Do About It? ) Remember, the purpose of Huddle isn t to discover every feeling buried within us. There s nothing wrong with group therapy, but this isn t that. The goal is to process what God is saying to you and how you should respond. If a Huddle member experiences a strong emotion, that emotion was produced by either a Kairos moment or a string of Kairos moments. Our goal is to process these moments and the invitation to walk more fully in the Kingdom, not to simply vent, console, or complain. A Huddle will actually help you process what God is saying to you and, over time, do so with a quicker and more discerning eye. There s a fundamental equation to spiritual formation: more time + fewer people = Kingdom impact. The time that your Huddle spends together is an eternal investment, not just in the lives of those you re leading but in the Kingdom itself. 2

3 Huddle Content: Character Questions Every week, start your time together with Character Questions. People might chit-chat as they show up, but once it s time to start, move right into these. Give everyone a set amount of time (use a timer on your watch or phone) to read the questions and process silently, then go around the room and let people share one question that pops off the page for them. In the beginning, you ll want to give people 3-5 minutes to carefully read and consider. As you go along, that time will probably drop to about 60 seconds. In your notebook, keep track of what questions people answer. Be watching for patterns. Do they always answer UP questions? IN? Are there certain questions they never or always answer? Keeping an eye on how people answer Character Questions will give you insight into what s happening with their Scripture Debrief as well. It s not a guarantee that the two answers will be related, but you ll be surprised how frequently it happens. One of the central skills of Huddle is keeping two eyes open. You have to keep one eye on what a person is saying and another on what God s Spirit is saying. This will probably be your biggest learning curve. 3

4 Huddle Content: Scripture Debrief This one is hard because people have been in Bible Studies, so they ll have preconceptions about what this conversation is about. Those preconceptions are probably wrong. There is not enough time in the Huddle to do a day-by-day discussion of the week s reading. While Scripture is always worth discussing, if you aren t careful your group will be a reading discussion group and not a Huddle. Your key question to lean on every week is the same: What has God been saying to me through His Word this week? Just like with Character Questions, write notes as people speak. What phrases pop up? What verses from scripture? A story? An image? A metaphor? What s the central theme of what they are saying? This is an easy way to learn to keep both eyes open. You may also want to carve out 15 minutes before people arrive where you can be silent and listen to God, pray for the people in your Huddle, and ask God s Spirit to be present with you. 4

5 Huddle Content: Tool Training Keep your teaching time succinct. Stick to no more than minutes, even when teaching a new tool. You want to give them enough so they have something new to grapple with, but not so much that they zone out or become overwhelmed. Before teaching a new tool, feel free to refresh your memory by watching the corresponding YouTube video (in the Teaching the Tools playlist). This recording is NOT intended for the people in your Huddle, especially not in the beginning. You want your Huddle to learn from you, not from Micah. The digital Tool Handbook is also a great resource for brushing up on the talking points for each of the ten tools. Huddle lasts 30 weeks, and there are only ten tools. That means most weeks won t center around a new tool. In those weeks, feel free to (briefly) teach the tool again, or (even better) have someone else teach the tool. The hardest part of Huddle isn t teaching the tools. It s listening to people s Character Questions and Scripture Debrief, helping them discern whether there s a Kairos moment happening, and then using the tool to help process that Kairos. Do not assume that because you have taught it once, you have taught it for the last time. Remember, language creates culture. This culture is established when 1) they can teach you the tools and naturally speak the language, and 2) their lives look like the tools have been incarnated. So take your time. 5

6 OTHER TIPS Bring challenge early in the Huddle experience. The longer you put it off, the harder it will be. By bringing challenge early, you set the tone for what kind of group it is and how it is vastly different from other groups people have joined. Obviously when you give challenge, it needs to be with a strong measure of humility and for the purpose of building the person up rather than to embarrass or break them. Sometimes, challenge happens best outside of the Huddle. Use discernment to find the best place. If the people in your Huddle have lots of experience in small groups, they might see you as a facilitator whose job is to let everyone share their thoughts. While those types of groups are important, this isn t that. This group exists for you to make an investment in their lives. You invited them, and if they show up it s because they think you have something to teach and a life worth imitating. Early in your Huddle, then, be careful not to let people interject too many of their own thoughts or opinions. Talented group facilitators may try to make people comfortable at exactly the time you re trying to make them uncomfortable. You may even find it helpful to explain this to your Huddle. Finally, remember that Huddle, by itself, isn t discipleship. Look for ways to invite your people into your life outside of Huddle: through shared meals, running errands together, finding time to play, and so on. Even if people remember the Huddle content perfectly, they ll probably forget individual weeks. But they ll never forget the time you spend with them outside of Huddle. 6

7 SUGGESTED WEEKLY PREPARATION You will want to be prepared to lead your Huddle. Spend some time in prayer quieting yourself and re-connecting to God s voice so you can hear Him clearly. This guide contains space to take weekly notes of how your Huddle members reply to the Character Questions and Scripture Debrief. On your first week, you won t have any notes from previous Huddles to review. As time goes on, though, you ll build up a good picture of what s going on in the lives of your people. Depending on how much time you have, try these steps to prep for Huddle every week. Spend a few minutes reacquainting yourself with what everyone said last week. What Character Question did they answer? What did they think God was saying to them through Scripture? Scan through the week s Scripture reading. If teaching a new tool, review the tutorial video as a refresher. Review the Character Questions for yourself so you know which one you ll answer. That will let you keep two eyes open as your Huddle answers theirs. The most important part of Huddle, though, isn t the content. It s your presence and the investment that you are making in helping them draw closer to God. Don t be afraid to go away from your plans if it seems the Holy Spirit is leading in a different way. God always has His own agenda, and our job is to follow Him. 7

8 Week Zero: The Invitation This week is optional, but recommended. If you ve been inviting individuals to follow you into Huddle, it s helpful to have a Lay it all out conversation before Huddle begins. What s the vision, what are your hopes, what s their commitment, and so on. The goal for this week is to get the people you ve invited to commit to Huddle. This is honestly the hardest part: Saying to people you like and respect, I think there s something I could teach you. You have a lot of freedom to talk about this however you like, but here s a simple way the conversation COULD go: 1. Look at two simple passages of scripture: Acts 4:13 (p. 124) and 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 (p. 173). Draw parallels to your group or ministry situation. 2. Affirm where you see God already at work in their lives, and affirm the value of investing in areas where God is currently at work. 3. Briefly explain the purpose of Huddle: to invest in them like Jesus and Paul did in their disciples. Key words and concepts could include: leadership, discipleship, investing, reproducible tools, growing in knowledge and experience of scripture, finding purposeful community, etc. 4. Clearly offer the invitation to join your Huddle: an opportunity for each of them to grow, learn, and have their lives shaped to be more like Jesus. 5. At this point it s worth handing over the What is Huddle? pamphlet. Let them look over it and ask questions; perhaps direct them to certain aspects as you continue talking. 8

9 6. Provide a clear next step. If they re not all-in immediately, provide a timeframe for them to consider the invitation, and tell them when you ll be back in touch to answer any questions or hesitations they have. When you ve got your committed Huddle, give each person a Huddle New Testament. It contains your daily reading for the entire Huddle, the Tools that we re going to learn, and Character Questions on the back cover. Make sure to follow up with an prior to your Week 1. In the , try to do this: Assign the first week s reading and video (noted below). Include the link to the Huddle Videos. Remind Huddle members of the day, time, and location of your Huddle, and what to bring. Additionally, provide any childcare arrangements or other pertinent details. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 1 (Mark 1-8) and watch the video Mark. 9

10 Week 1: The Learning Circle The goal this week is to introduce the basic practices of Huddle. We ll do Character Questions for the first time, discuss our first seven days of Bible reading, and (very briefly) introduce our first tool: the Learning Circle. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members should have read Week 1 (Mark 1-8) and watched the video Mark. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions Have everyone pull out their Character Questions. Tell them, We ll take 5 minutes of silence to read through the sheet carefully, looking at each question. One question will pop out for you. Consider that question and your answer, and be prepared to share. It can be any question on the sheet, and the answer can be positive or negative. Remember to take notes as people share what Character Question pops out at them and what their answer is. Scripture Debrief This is your Huddle s first time to discuss the text like this, and it s expected that you will not get through everything. Expect some starts and stops. Be directive in your leading. Explain to your Huddle that we are not having a Bible study, theological debate, nor extended discussion. We are mining the scripture for kairos moments just like we did with the Character Questions. They don t yet know the word kairos, so try asking If there was one thing that God might have been saying to you through your reading this week, what would it be? If your Huddle can t think of anything, ask them what one PHRASE, WORD, IMAGE, or IDEA popped out at them. 10

11 Scripture Transition: Mark 1:15 Direct your Huddle s attention to this verse. Read it out loud and use it as the transition and anchor for introducing the Learning Circle. Tool Time: The Learning Circle Don t try to teach the entire Circle today. It s too much; let them absorb the high points first. Explain the concept of chronos-vs-kairos, the virtuous cycle of repent/believe ( What s God saying? and What am I gonna do? ), and the concept of a changed trajectory. Depending on how much time people spent on their debrief, you may not have time to dig all the way into the Learning Circle. If so, just teach the concepts. But if you can find a way to apply it to someone s kairos, you get an imaginary gold star for the week. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 2 (Mark 9-16) and watch the videos How To Use Lumina and Gospel of The Kingdom. 11

12 Week 1: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 12

13 Week 2: Learning Circle Practice The goal this week is to reinforce the basic practices of Huddle and reintroduce the Learning Circle in more depth. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 2 (Mark 9-16) and watched the videos How to use Lumina and Gospel of The Kingdom. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions Review the Character Questions, taking notes of possible group/individual kairos. Scripture Debrief Review the scripture reading, specifically asking people to share what popped out at them or what was new or fresh. Remember, our goal here isn t exegesis. Don t get bogged down in scripture study. We're looking for God s Word coming to life. What did God say to you through His Word this week? Scripture Transition: Mark 1:15 Even though it wasn t in your reading this week, direct your Huddle s attention back to Mark 1. See how this verse serves as Mark s summary for the rest of the book: the opportune moment, the chance to go in a new direction, and the responsibility to take seriously the new message God was giving. Tool Time: Learning Circle, Part II This week you ll really lean into the Learning Circle. You want to spend all your time here. Lead your group through identifying kairos moments (select a few that were shared), and then entering the Learning Circle. Process one kairos at a time, engaging that individual (or couple, if it had a 13

14 shared theme). Last week we focused on the big picture, but this week the goal is to walk through all six steps of the circle. No matter whether you get through one kairos or many, make sure to do it thoroughly and completely. This is the tool to help hear God s voice and act in response. Early on you ll need to really help members process what God may be saying to them; do this plainly and with lots of humility. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 3 (Matthew 1-7) and watch the videos Matthew 1-13 and What is the Kingdom of God? 14

15 Week 2: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 15

16 Week 3: Invitation and Challenge The goal this week is to introduce another basic concept: the Invitation-Challenge Matrix. While this is a useful tool for all leaders in all circumstances, it s especially important for your Huddle because it lays out a framework for interpreting your own invitation and challenge to them. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 3 (Matthew 1-7) and watched Matthew 1-13 and What is the Kingdom of God? HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Review the Character Questions, taking notes of possible group/individual kairos. Then review the scripture reading, again noting any kairos. Scripture Transition: Matthew 5-7 Notice how Jesus seems to move seamlessly back and forth between two modes. First he ll be very comforting, then he ll be very challenging. One way to talk about that is in terms of Invitation and Challenge. Tool Time: Invitation and Challenge Introduce the Invitation and Challenge matrix. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 4 (Matthew 8-14) and watch the video Wise, Foolish, Evil Person. 16

17 Week 3: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 17

18 Week 4: Toolbox Practice The goal this week is to use at least one of our two tools (Learning Circle and Invitation-Challenge) to process a kairos that came up in the Character Questions and the Scripture Debrief. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 4 (Matthew 8-14) and watched the video Wise, Foolish, Evil Person. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition There s no particular scripture transition this week. Instead, be listening as people share their kairos moments from the past week; when you sense a clear one to discuss, shift gears and move into your toolbox. If not everyone gets to share their kairos at first, that s ok. If possible you can loop back to these people after you finish applying the Circle so they get a chance to answer as well. If not, though, don t worry about it. Tool Time: Toolbox Practice So far you ve put two tools in your Toolbox: The Learning Circle and Invitation/Challenge. Use these tools to practice hearing God s voice and responding in obedience. Your primary tool will probably be the Learning Circle, but don t be afraid to note examples in members personal lives and relationships where the Invitation-Challenge continuum is being highlighted. Use the Learning Circle to help them clearly hear what God is saying and what their next step is. 18

19 Remind the group that your goal is for them to be able to do everything you can do, so you ll be practicing the tools very regularly. Have them turn to the back of their New Testament. If you think they re ready, have one member run through the Learning Circle, either teaching the tool or to tackle a group kairos. If not, walk through it again with each of them practicing along with you. In doing this, you are once again planting the seed that one day, they, too, will lead and disciple others. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 5 (Matthew 15-21) and watch the video Matthew Also, they should begin becoming familiar with Gospel Fluency by reading the excerpt and then watching the video. Be ready to discuss that material by Week 6. 19

20 Week 4: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 20

21 Week 5: Toolbox Practice The goal this week is to continue to practice our first two tools and to process a kairos that came up in the Character Questions and the Scripture Debrief. Try inviting different people in the Huddle to lead the Learning Circle. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 5 (Matthew 15-21) and watched the video Matthew They should be working through Gospel Fluency as well, to be ready to discuss Chapters 1-3 next week. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition Like last week, there s no particular scripture transition this week. This will continue to be true for most practice weeks. Tool Time: Toolbox Practice Listen carefully, with one eye on the conversation and one eye on God. When a teachable moment opens up, go directly into your toolbox. If there is time for more discussion after that first kairos, then go to the rest of the group. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 6 (Matthew 22-28) and be ready to discuss Gospel Fluency Chapters 1-3. Because next week s Gospel Fluency video is so long, they may wish to start watching it this week, so include the link. 21

22 Week 5: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 22

23 Week 6: Gospel Fluency (Chapters 1-3) For the next three weeks, your goals are a little more fluid. Different groups may need different amounts of time to process the Gospel Fluency content. Move at a pace that matches your Huddle s processing. This is a suggested outline; do not feel constrained to meet it exactly. If you need more or less time, then do what your group needs. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 6 (Matthew 22-28), Chapters 1-3 of Gospel Fluency, and perhaps the video. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: Matthew 28:16-20 This is a significant passage; don t skip it. These are our marching orders. Remember: The purpose of Huddle isn t to teach cool content, but to equip people with the tools they need to follow the Great Commission. Tool Time: Gospel Fluency Discussion Instead of our tools, today s discussion will center around Gospel Fluency. This discussion could vary depending on the nature of your Huddle. You might have a fruitful discussion of just the first page, or you might knock out all of Chapters 1-3. Play it by ear. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 7 (John 1-7) and watch John Also, they should be ready to discuss the remainder of the Gospel Fluency content (Chapter 9 and the video). 23

24 Week 6: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 24

25 Week 7: Finish Gospel Fluency The goal this week is to finish discussing Gospel Fluency. Your group may be ready and eager to jump right into Fruit to Root, or they may need a little more time unpacking what they ve heard and read. Pray for discernment and use your best judgment. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 7 (John 1-7) and watched the video John They will also be familiar with Chapter 9 of Gospel Fluency and the Gospel Fluency video. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition This week, your conversation will center around the video content and Chapter 9 of Gospel Fluency. Tool Time: Gospel Fluency Discussion This could go a couple of different ways. Idea-focused groups may still be discussing the content from the book or the video. Practice-focused groups may be eager to dive into the Fruit to Root tool. If a kairos comes up that s a natural fit for Fruit to Root, feel free to jump right into the tool. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 8 (John 8-14) and watch the video John

26 Week 7: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 26

27 Week 8: Fruit to Root The goal this week is to introduce the Fruit to Root tool. This can be a scary week: your Huddle may be uncomfortable admitting to unbelief or bad beliefs. Lead with authenticity and help them acknowledge their own unbelief; this is a key part of being gospel fluent. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 8 (John 8-14) and watched the video John HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: There are a number of possible transition points this week, but an excellent one comes from Jesus conversation recorded in John 8: There are several Fruit to Root parallels here, and it may be worth it for your Huddle to examine them more fully. However, feel free to focus just on John 8:39. If you were Abraham s children, it would be reflected in your actions. What do your actions reflect? Tool Time: Teaching Fruit to Root Introduce Fruit to Root. This is another very effective tool used to move through the steps of repentance to hearing God s truth and moving in faith. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 9 (John 15-21) and watch the video Boundaries. 27

28 Week 8: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 28

29 Week 9: Practice Fruit to Root The goal this week is to re-teach Fruit to Root, possibly in greater detail, and put it into practice. Use it to process a kairos that came up in the Character Questions and the Scripture Debrief. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 9 (John 15-21) and watched the video Boundaries. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: John 15:4-5 In every one of the Gospels, we see Jesus talking about fruit. Here Jesus makes it clear: We bear good fruit when we remain rooted in him. When we try to root ourselves in anything else, bad fruit follows. Tool Time: Practice Fruit to Root Continue to practice Fruit to Root. Be careful not to settle for simple confession of behaviors, but dig for the confession of sinful belief. Your Huddle will imitate your level of authenticity, so don t be bashful in calling out your own unbelief. While the examples in Gospel Fluency are individual examples, you may find that a corporate approach (where everyone contributes and confesses) is less intimidating. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 10 (Luke 1-7) and watch the video Luke

30 Week 9: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 30

31 Week 10: Toolbox Practice The goal this week is to use at least one of our three tools to process a kairos that came up in the Character Questions and the Scripture Debrief. Ideally, this week s practice would be led by someone else in the Huddle. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 10 (Luke 1-7) and watched the video Luke 1-9. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition There is no specific scripture this week, so simply move straight into the toolbox practice once folks have shared their kairos. Tool Time: Toolbox Practice Recall those Huddle members who have already presented or led others through a tool. Perhaps give a nudge to those who haven t. If time allows, try to get through both an example of using the Learning Circle (perhaps with a kairos that requires action or a change of trajectory) and Fruit to Root (identifying and correcting false beliefs about ourselves and God). POST-HUDDLE Read Week 11 (Luke 8-14) and watch the video Luke

32 Week 10: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 32

33 Week 11: The Arrow Prayer Model The goal this week is introduce The Arrow Prayer to your Huddle. While it seems simple, praying for others is often one of the most intimidating of basic Christian practices. The Arrow is a simple guideline we can use to help our prayer time be helpful and fruitful. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 11 (Luke 8-14) and watched the video Luke HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: Luke 11:1 Jesus taught His disciples (and us) to pray to God. But there are a lot of Christians that feel comfortable praying privately to God who feel really uncomfortable praying out loud for another person. Today we re going to learn a new tool that gives an easy way to remember how to structure that prayer time. Tool Time: The Arrow Introduce The Arrow. This isn t magic, it s just a simple model to help people engage with others through prayer. The goal is to take away some of the mystery and fear around prayer, so that the answer to Can you pray for me? is always Yes, let s pray right now. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 12 (Luke 15-21) and watch the video Praying for Others. 33

34 Week 11: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 34

35 Week 12: The Five Capitals The goal this week is to introduce our fifth tool of Huddle: the Five Capitals. We ll use this tool to make sense of our Scripture Debrief. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 12 (Luke 15-21) and watched the video Praying for Others. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions and Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: Luke 16:1-9 This confusing text will serve as your key text and transition into the Five Capitals concept. Begin to highlight words like investment and show what was leveraged for a return in the end. Tool Time: The Five Capitals Introduce The Five Capitals as a way of unpacking the text. Look for ways to relate the capitals to real life: How does our culture distort their priority? What do different subcultures value? Do we individually put them in the right order? What was most important in your family of origin? How do we grow the capitals? Where am I deficient? Show how the other 4 capitals can be invested into the capital where you are deficient or God is calling you to grow. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 13 (Luke 22-24, Isaiah 53, and Acts 1+2) and watch the video Acts

36 Week 12: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 36

37 Week 13: Toolbox Practice The goal this week is to use at least one of our five tools to process a kairos that came up in the Character Questions and the Scripture Debrief. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 13 (Luke 22-24, Isaiah 53, and Acts 1+2) and watched the video Acts HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition Note that the scripture reading itself is transitioning us from the gospels into the Acts of the new church. We ll now begin witnessing how these disciples of Jesus lived out all that they d seen and learned. They now begin to disciple and build the Church. What began with one man, Jesus, being invested into a select group of men, the disciples, with the power of the Holy Spirit, now becomes the transformative movement that Jesus intended it to be. Tool Time: Toolbox Practice Move right into practicing the five tools. Practice any tools that seem opportune, or if it fits, incorporate your newest tool, The Five Capitals. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 14 (Acts 3-9) and watch the video Interview with Dallas Willard. In addition, they may also want to begin The Master Plan of Evangelism (we start in 2 weeks). 37

38 Week 13: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 38

39 Week 14: Member-Led Toolbox Practice The goal this week is for someone in the Huddle to use at least one of our five tools to process a kairos that came up in the Character Questions and the Scripture Debrief. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Week 14 (Acts 3-9) and watched the video Interview with Dallas Willard. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: Acts 4:13 Note the key words: uneducated, ordinary, and been with Jesus. Being around Jesus was transformational. If someone spent three years walking around with us, would they be transformed? Tool Time: Toolbox Practice Move right into a time of member-led practice of any of your available five tools. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 15 (Acts 10-16) and watch the video Acts In addition, read the Preface through Chapter 4 of The Master Plan of Evangelism. 39

40 Week 14: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 40

41 Week 15: Master Plan (Preface-Chapter 4) The goal this week is to discuss the first half of The Master Plan of Evangelism. Pay particular attention to the high-level concepts: This was Jesus plan to save the entire world. His three-year ministry wasn t a mistake or a random occurrence; instead, the Gospel stories we ve read demonstrate that this was Jesus plan from the beginning. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Acts and watched the video Acts Additionally they should be prepared to discuss Master Plan (Preface-Ch. 4). HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition This week your conversation will center on the first half of The Master Plan of Evangelism (through Chapter 4). Tool Time: Master Plan Discussion (Preface-Chapter 4) Debrief this week s reading. Open with general questions: what did you notice? What jumped out at you? Important points to bring out: the intentionality of Jesus, the fact that this was always his goal and plan, that people were his method, that he spent time with the ones he led and gave himself away. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 16 (Acts 17-22), watch the video Ten Things I Know About Leadership, and be prepared to discuss the second half of Master Plan (Ch. 5-Epilogue) next week. 41

42 Week 15: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 42

43 Part 2: What Am I Gonna Do About It? We ve reached the halfway point! Does it feel like time has flown? Or does it feel like this Huddle has been lasting forever? In the first half of Huddle (the first 15 weeks), we really focused on the question What is God saying to me? We used lots of introspective tools to get our hearts right. In the second half of Huddle (the last 15 weeks), our focus will shift to the second half of the Learning Circle. We ve been asking what God s saying to us. Now, what are we gonna do about it? The remainder of Huddle will focus on practical tools for new paradigms of healthy and balanced lives. We will gain new lenses for seeing the ways that Jesus lived out His mission and relationships, and will probably get a little uncomfortable as we think about how their own lives match up. By now you ve built up a good picture of what s going on in the lives of your people and established good relationships and Huddle practices. Don t hesitate to review past tools or previous kairos moments as you continue forward. Continue to prep well for your Huddle every week. Although some parts may feel like auto-pilot by now, take every opportunity to press in and keep two eyes open. There s tons of growth and life-changing rhythms to be had in these coming weeks. Keep taking good weekly notes, and before each Huddle, reacquaint yourself with what everyone said last week. 43

44 Week 16: Master Plan (Chapter 5-Epilogue) The goal this week is to discuss the second half of Master Plan of Evangelism. This week we re seeing how Jesus plan played out, and your Huddle will be processing how this will impact their own lives if they are living out the Great Commission. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Acts and watched the video Ten Things I Know About Leadership. They should also have completed reading Master Plan of Evangelism. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition Your conversation will continue to center around The Master Plan of Evangelism, this week focusing on the latter half from Chapter 5-Epilogue. Tool Time: Master Plan Discussion, Part II Continue your discussion of the Master Plan text. This might include any of the following high points: Demonstration (Jesus showed His disciples how to live), Delegation (Jesus assigned them work), Supervision (Jesus continued to review and re-deploy them), or Reproduction (Jesus expected them to reproduce). POST-HUDDLE Read Week 17 (Acts Romans 1) and watch the video Romans

45 Week 16: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 45

46 Week 17: Toolbox Practice The goal this week is to use at least one of our five tools to process a kairos that came up in the Character Questions or Scripture Debrief. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Acts Romans 1 and watched the video Romans 1-4. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition There is no specific scripture this week, so simply move straight into the toolbox practice once folks have shared their kairos. Tool Time: Toolbox Practice Move right into practicing the five tools in your toolbox. Practice any that seem opportune. This may be a good week to solidify practices on the early tools, making sure that Huddle members can succinctly state what God is saying to them and what they will do about it. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 18 (Romans 2-8) and watch the video Top Temptations Every Leader Faces. 46

47 Week 17: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 47

48 Week 18: The Triangle, Part I (Corporate practices) The goal this week is to introduce The Triangle. This is a foundational tool for the second half of Huddle. It acts as a model of Jesus relationships and helps us understand effective balance both corporately and personally. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Romans 2-8 and watched the video Top Temptations Every Leader Faces. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: Luke 6:12-19 While this scripture comes from early readings, it is a clear example of Jesus living out the Triangle. Once explained, draw examples from the Romans reading. Tool Time: The Triangle Introduce the Triangle. Follow this with discussion of what this balance (or imbalance) looks like in corporate church. Romans provides an example of how comfortable Israel had become as an Up-In church ( Up through the Law and Prophets and their genetic inheritance as the In ). Paul brings balance to this Triangle by reminding them of the Out to the Gentiles. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 19 (Romans 9-16) and watch the video Romans

49 Week 18: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 49

50 Week 19: The Triangle, Part II (Personal practices) The goal for this week is to expand on last week s Triangle conversation. This week, focus your Huddle s attention on how the Triangle applies to them personally. What are the ways in which their life is structured up, in, and out? HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Romans 9-16 and watched the video Romans HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: Romans 12:1-2 Use this verse to transition to a more personal discussion of Up, In, and Out in your Huddle s lives and relationships. Tool Time: The Triangle Use this week to expand on The Triangle for personal application. What Up, In, and Out practices do they do? What is the fruit of each of these three dimensions? Are they engaging in all three dimensions? Is there balance or imbalance of Up, In, and Out? POST-HUDDLE Read Week 20 (1 Corinthians 1-15 ) and watch the video 1 Corinthians. 50

51 Week 19: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 51

52 Week 20: The Semi-Circle This week you ll introduce the second major tool of this Huddle: The Semi-Circle. Your goal this week is to convince your Huddle that their lives need regular patterns of work/rest (or abiding/fruitfulness). This week we ll focus mostly on understanding the tool, and we ll apply it more personally next week. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read 1 Corinthians 1-15 and watched the video 1 Corinthians. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: 1 Corinthians 4:14-17 While this passage isn t really about work and rest, it does reinforce the important idea that our lives should be worth imitating. Tool Time: The Semi-Circle Introduce the Semi-Circle today. This tool is like the pressure release valve, but it may take some time to convince and absorb. The idea of pulling back the pendulum of rest in order to work better is foreign to our culture. The importance of abiding and pruning as a precursor to fruitfulness saturates the Bible, but has become very counter-cultural for most of us. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 21 (2 Corinthians 1-12) and watch the video 2 Corinthians. 52

53 Week 20: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 53

54 Week 21: Semi-Circle Practice This week, your goal is to dig in deeper to the rhythms of the Semi-Circle. Try to give both a personal focus (your Huddle should be thinking, This is what I do ) and a corporate focus ( This is what my family does, or, This is what my team does. ) HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read 2 Corinthians 1-12 and watched the video 2 Corinthians. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 When we prune the branches, it can feel like dying to something we love. But only by dying to self can we find true fruitfulness. Use this short passage to transition to the Semi-Circle. Tool Time: Semi-Circle Practice This may be a time to work out practical applications. Help your Huddle trace a lack of fruitfulness to a lack of real rest. Evaluate if our rest has devolved into self-indulgence or escapism, or if our work has become striving in place of fruitfulness. There are any number of kairos moments to be had. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 22 (Galatians Ephesians 1-5) and watch the videos Galatians and Ephesians. 54

55 Week 21: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 55

56 Week 22: Toolbox Practice The goal this week is to use at least one of our seven tools to process a kairos that came up in the Character Questions and the Scripture Debrief. Look for opportunities to let someone in your Huddle lead the tool time. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read all of Galatians + Ephesians and watched the videos Galatians and Ephesians. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition There is no specific scripture this week. Listen for kairos moments and move right into tool time practice. Tool Time: Toolbox Practice Move right into a time of member-led practice of any of your available seven tools. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 23 (Philippians Colossians 1-4) and watch the videos Philippians and Colossians. 56

57 Week 22: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 57

58 Week 23: The Whitewater Wheels The goal this week is to teach Whitewater s connection and spiritual growth strategies. While these may not seem as lifechanging as some other disciple-making tools, it s critical that leaders at Whitewater understand the church s plan for helping everyone grow in Christ. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read all of Philippians and Colossians and watched the corresponding videos. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: Colossians 1:28-29 This passage gives our marching orders as church leaders. Today we ll spend some time talking about our own church s strategy for presenting everyone mature in Christ. Tool Time: The Whitewater Wheels Introduce The Whitewater Wheels, which provide our church s framework for spiritual growth and connecting people. This tool is specific to Whitewater s strategy and mission, but could spur conversation around Huddle members own personal or corporate strategies, as well as their participation in the church. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 24 (1+2 Thessalonians and 1 Timothy 1-3) and watch the (3) videos 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, and 1 Timothy. 58

59 Week 23: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 59

60 Week 24: Toolbox Practice The goal this week is to use at least one of our eight tools to process a kairos that came up in the Character Questions and the Scripture Debrief. Look for opportunities to let someone in your Huddle lead the tool time. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read 1+2 Thessalonians + 1 Timothy 1-3 and watched the corresponding videos. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition There is no specific scripture this week. Listen for kairos moments and move right into tool time practice. Tool Time: Toolbox Practice Move right into a time of member-led practice of any of your eight available tools. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 25 (1 Timothy 4-6, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon) and watch the videos (3) 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. 60

61 Week 24: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 61

62 Week 25: Vision for the Next Round The goal this week is to talk about the next generation of Huddle. Cast a concrete vision for each person in your Huddle to lead their own Huddle. What obstacles do they see? Who might they want to invite into their own Huddles? HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read 1 Timothy 4-6, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon and watched the corresponding videos. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: 2 Timothy 2:1-2 Direct your Huddle s attention to this verse. Read it out loud and use it as the transition and anchor for casting big picture vision and offering preliminary thoughts on next steps. Tool Time: Vision-Casting Discussion Begin to call your Huddle members back into the big picture. They are called both to follow and to lead. Discuss excitement, fears, possible people they influence, and vision for reproducibility. Use any available tools to walk your Huddle through this discussion. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 26 (Hebrews 1-11) and watch the video Hebrews. 62

63 Week 25: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 63

64 Week 26: The Square, Part I (Life Stages) The goal this week is to introduce one of our most important tools for leadership and replication: the Square. Focus for now on the Life Stages and what it means to grow in spiritual maturity. Next week, we ll talk about general learning progression. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Hebrews 1-11 and watched the video Hebrews. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: Hebrews 5:11-14 Note that the author of Hebrews uses the analogy of simple biological growth/maturity to provide a mirror to the churches of their spiritual growth. Tool Time: The Square (Life Stages) We ll tackle The Square in two parts, so today introduce it through the lens of Life Stages. This is a simple way to understand and explain the process of maturing, by using a biological and familial example of who feeds who. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 27 (Hebrews 12-13, James 1-5, and 1 Peter 1-2) and watch the videos James and 1 Peter. 64

65 Week 26: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 65

66 Week 27: The Square, Part II (Leadership Fluency) The goal this week is to build on what we learned about the Square last week. This week, we ll cover the stages of learning that mirror the life stages. Focus on things your Huddle knows how to teach or learn, and the ways the Square plays out in the area where they lead. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Hebrews 12-13, James, and 1 Peter 1-2 and watched James and 1 Peter. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: Hebrews 13:7 Direct your Huddle s attention to this verse. Review that Life Stages is one lens to see maturity through, and then transition to the second lens of Leadership Fluency, which clarifies the processes of leading and learning. Tool Time: The Square (Leadership Fluency) Reintroduce the Square, this week through the lens of leading and learning dynamics. Use examples of Jesus leading His disciples in this way, as well as ways that your Huddle members may have experienced this- either as the learner or the teacher. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 28 (1 Peter 3-5, 2 Peter, and 1 John 1-2) and watch the videos 2 Peter and 1-3 John. 66

67 Week 27: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 67

68 Week 28: PAUSE The goal this week is to teach the PAUSE tool for conflict resolution. This is the tenth and final piece in our Huddle toolbox! HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read 1 Peter 3-5, all of 2 Peter, and 1 John 1-2 and watched the videos 2 Peter and 1-3 John. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition: 1 Peter 3:8-12 We ll emphasize verse 11b, with PAUSE being a tool for how to seek peace and pursue it. This passage provides the context for how we go about loving one another, especially in conflict resolution. Tool Time: PAUSE Introduce PAUSE. Peacemaking is really Christianity 101. It s basic stuff that Jesus provided clear instruction on back in Matthew 5 and 18. But just because it s simple, doesn t mean it s easy. This tool will help remind us of important steps to resolve conflict in a Christ-like way. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 29 (1 John 3-5, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude) and watch the video Jude. 68

69 Week 28: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 69

70 Week 29: Toolbox Practice The goal this week is to use at least one of our ten tools to process a kairos that came up in the Character Questions and the Scripture Debrief. Look for opportunities to let someone in your huddle lead the tool time. HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read 1 John 3-5, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude and watched the video Jude. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief Scripture Transition There is no specific scripture this week. Listen for kairos moments and move right into tool time practice. Tool Time: Toolbox Practice Move right into a time of member-led practice of any of your ten available tools. POST-HUDDLE Read Week 30 (Revelation 1-22) and watch the videos Revelation 1-11 and Revelation

71 Week 29: Kairos CHARACTER QUESTIONS Name Question Direction SCRIPTURE DEBRIEF 71

72 Week 30: Huddle Reflection and Wrap-Up The goal this week is to celebrate both the process and the transformation that has occurred in your Huddle members. Today should actually feel like a celebration! HUDDLE PREP Huddle members will have read Revelation 1-22 and watched both videos for the book of Revelation. HUDDLE CONTENT Character Questions & Scripture Debrief: In place of the regular Character Questions, today tell your Huddle to take a few minutes (maybe 2-5) to define their biggest take-away from this Huddle experience. Have everyone share in the same succinct way they ve practiced sharing kairos moments. Scripture Transition: Revelation 22:1-5 and 22:17 Use the culmination of John s vision as a transition. The early verses paint a vision for what is to come when God sits on His rightful throne. His servants serve Him, and they also call out to those that are thirsty and searching. Tool Time: Debrief Spend today solidifying the work that the Spirit and the Word have done in your Huddle members. As you reflect on the transformation that has happened in them, reinforce the idea that they can offer the same thing to others. As they experience a fuller reign of God, they are now more equipped to call those that are thirsty into the same disciple-making process. 72