How you begin together sets the tone for the whole journey. Taking a little time at the start to establish clarity, trust and rhythm will help participants feel settled and able to engage openly.
Group size
On The Way works best with around 6–12 people.
- This size allows for diversity of voices while still enabling everyone to be heard.
- Smaller groups often encourage deeper sharing, while larger groups may need a little more structure or co‑leading.
If your group is smaller than this, that is fine. The quality of listening and trust matters far more than numbers.
Be clear about the shape of the course
Early clarity helps people relax and commit.
Let everyone know:
- where sessions will be held
- the dates and times of all the sessions
- how long each session will last
- whether sessions build on one another
Knowing what to expect helps people plan and reassures those who may already feel unsure about joining a group exploring faith.
Introduce the journal
Before the first meeting, give everyone a copy of the On The Way journal.
Invite participants to:
- read the introduction in their own time
- try one of the first pair of mini‑adventures before your next session
- write, draw or note thoughts in the blank spaces in ways that feel comfortable to them
Reassure the group that:
- there is no “right” way to use the journal
- it is for their own reflection, not something to be shared unless they choose
- it is fine to skip activities if something doesn’t feel right for them
Many pilot participants found the journal especially helpful as a private, personal space to notice what was emerging for them between sessions.
Naming the atmosphere you want to create
It can be very helpful to name, together, the kind of space you are hoping to build.
You may want to talk openly about values such as:
- safety – people feel respected and not judged
- vulnerability – sharing honestly, but with permission to pass
- bravery – being willing to ask questions or offer reflections
- openness – welcoming different perspectives and experiences
- listening and sharing – giving space to one another
Making these expectations explicit helps people feel secure and sets shared boundaries from the start.
Beginning gently
Some groups choose to hold a warm‑up session a week before the course officially begins.
This can be a relaxed opportunity to:
- meet one another
- work through the introductory pages of the journal together
- explain how sessions will run
- agree shared hopes and ground rules
This can be especially helpful where participants do not already know one another, or where people may feel anxious about taking part.