Getting Started for Group Leaders

Communication depends on the group make-up and the group size.

For local groups who regularly meet together such as churches or groups providing services to others, you may want to introduce the program in person.

For groups made up of potential members who do not regularly meet together, communication via the internet or telephone is often appropriate. Word Way has sample emails available about the reading program to help you in communicating to potential group members.
 

There are only a few key points that you should be sure to communicate to the people you contact. It is important for your potential group members to know:

• Why you think it is important to read through the Bible.
• The proposed start date.
• Why reading the New Living Translation Life Application Bible is recommended if they do not currently have a Bible that they prefer using and that it can be purchased in many bookstores and through most on-line booksellers.
• To contact us at contact@thewordway.com if they would like to use the NLT Life Application Bible and cannot afford it. Sponsorship help is sometimes available.
• They will be reading through the Bible using a Reading Schedule that moves between the Old Testament and the New Testament.
• Whether you will be sending them a Word Way generated email invitation to join your group or if they should visit the website to review the program and join your group through open registration.
• That during registration they may choose to automatically receive Daily Reading Reminders, Weekly Thoughts, and Milestone Markers.
• The group name.
   

Both the group leader and group members need time to get ready to participate in a Bible Reading Program. Most groups need at least a four week lead time. This allows time for the group leader to:

• Contact potential group members. See Whom could I ask to be part of a reading group?
• Communicate the specifics of the Bible Reading Program. See What should I be sure to communicate to my potential group members?

Four-week lead time also allows potential group members time to:

• Decide if they would like to participate in the Bible Reading Group.
• Purchase a Bible if needed. See Why does Word Way recommend using the New Living Translation (NLT) Life Application Bible?
• Respond to your invitation to register with the group on this website, print their Reading Schedule if desired, and choose if they would like automatic delivery of Daily Reading Reminders, Weekly Thoughts, and Milestone Markers.

To register your new group, you will need to know the:

• Group name
• Reading start date for the group. When deciding a start date for your group, allow enough time to contact and communicate with potential members of your group. Also allow these potential group members enough time to decide if they would like to participate in the Bible reading group, purchase a Bible if necessary, print their Reading Schedule if desired, and register as a group member at the Word Way. We suggest at least a four week lead time for most groups.
• Method you will use to invite people to join your group.
  • For small groups, you may want to send invitations directly from the website. To do so, you will need the email addresses of the people you are inviting to join your group.
  • For larger groups, you may want to use other means of communication to invite potential group members to the website to join your group.

• Complete the group registration form.
• After you have received notification from The Word Way that your group has been registered, it is time to invite your potential members to join your group. Our team will send you invitation information. You will need to provide a link to the Word Way website and the password for your group to members you would like to invite.
• Before the official start of your group, Word Way recommends that you review the registered members of your group so that you can follow up with those who have not yet registered.

Please contact us at contact@thewordway.com.

That is terrific! People have found it very rewarding to become group leaders.

We suggest that you begin with prayer for God’s help and guidance in forming a group. Pray that God will give you the words to tell others why reading through the Bible is important to you and for help in knowing who to invite.  

People form groups by asking:

• Friends
• Coworkers
• Ministers or leaders of their church to form a group within their church
• Leaders of groups to which they belong such as Book Clubs
• Prison Chaplains
• Leaders of groups providing services to others such as addiction rehab groups, abuse groups, literacy groups, and grief groups