Your role
You don’t need to be a theologian, an expert, or someone with all the answers. Your role is simply to host well. Create a space where people feel safe to be honest, where conversation can unfold naturally, and where everyone feels welcome.
Make room for honest sharing, encourage participation without ever pressuring anyone, and gently help the group stay focused and on time. Above all, model the things you hope to see in the group — openness, curiosity, kindness, and a willingness to learn alongside everyone else.
Being a good host
A safe, welcoming space makes all the difference. From the moment people arrive, greet them by name, make eye contact, and offer a warm hello. These small touches help people feel seen and at ease. Being time‑aware also helps people feel cared for, so start and finish as planned: it shows that everyone’s time matters.
Confidentiality is essential. What’s shared in the group stays in the group, except in safeguarding situations. When people know their stories are held with care, they’re more likely to open up. As you listen, reflect back what you hear so people feel understood. Try to avoid correcting or “fixing”. Your role is to listen, not to tidy up someone’s experience.
Remember that everyone comes with their own background, questions, and beliefs. Honour those differences with gentleness and curiosity. If tricky moments arise or debate gets heated, thank people for sharing and gently steer the group back to the theme. Remind everyone that there’s no wrong question here.
And finally, help everyone have a voice. Invite quieter members to speak if they want to, but never pressure anyone. Openness grows best when it’s freely offered. A calm, curious presence from you will set the tone for the whole journey.
Listen for feelings
Real change begins with listening beneath the surface. When people share, try to notice not only what they say but how they say it: the energy, the hesitation, the excitement, the frustration. Feelings often reveal what really matters to someone. Encourage the group to listen with curiosity rather than to fix, debate, or analyse. Simple prompts like “What feels important about that?” or “Where did that connect with you?” can open up deeper, more meaningful conversations. This kind of listening builds trust and helps the group pay attention to where God might be stirring something new.
Encourage connection
Deep relationships grow in smaller conversations. Encouraging group members to meet up in pairs during the week — even for ten minutes over a drink or a short walk — can help people feel seen, heard, and supported. These conversations aren’t for problem‑solving or giving advice; they’re simply a chance to listen to each other’s experiences.
Some groups find it helpful to have an online space where people can share reflections or encouragement during the week — perhaps a simple group chat or message board. You don’t need to name any specific platform; just choose something your group is comfortable with and that feels safe. A quick message, a photo from a mini‑adventure, or a line from the Bible reading can help keep the journey alive between sessions and deepen the sense of travelling together.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is essential for creating a space where everyone feels safe and cared for. Make sure you follow your church’s usual safeguarding policy throughout the course.
If someone shares something that suggests they or someone else is at risk, listen carefully and calmly. Don’t promise secrecy – instead, reassure them that you will help by passing the concern on in the right way. Then report it to the appropriate safeguarding lead as soon as you can.