5 Cups of Coffee Group Conversation Facilitator Guide

Group Conversation Facilitator Guide (90 minutes)
 

Objective: To practice having conversations with one another about our spiritual lives and our call to ministry, as well as learning how to invite others to consider in what ways God might calling them.

Instructions: This session is designed for a small or medium-sized group to engage in the 5 Cups of Coffee resource. You will need to create groups of 2-5 people depending on the size of the group. The below time stamps give you an idea of pacing for an evening session.

Time Allowance: First session x 90 minutes, remaining four sessions x 60 minutes.

Supplies: Bibles, copies of the 5 Cups of Coffee questions (downloadable at: https://www.moumethodist.org/files/resources/5+cups+of+coffee/5cups_flier.pdf), large Post-It sheet, markers, nametags (if necessary)

[6:00 p.m.] Allow everyone to get settled. Open with prayer and do some sort of ice-breaker, get-to-know you activity. (See suggested activity below or choose your own.)

[6:10 p.m.] Introduce yourself, share where to find more information about missional leadership. '
(website’s resource library: https://www.moumethodist.org/missionalleaders).

[6:15 p.m.] Share that one of our priorities as laity is leadership development. Say, “We’re going to talk a little about leadership development and what that looks like in your life and at our church. I’m excited to have so many leaders in this room – I know you may not always feel qualified to be a leader, but I also know that God calls each of us to lead in some area of our lives and provides opportunities for us to lead others in their relationship with God. Take a moment to circle up with a couple people around you and share about someone in your life who has served as a mentor to you or encouraged you in your relationship with God.”

Or, Say, “Through small group experiences we can grow in understanding our gifts, our beliefs and passions, and our opportunities to serve together. We can also learn how to deepen our spiritual practices related to prayer and scripture. Small groups give us the opportunity to be in community with God and one another. Take a moment to circle up with a couple people around you and if you have a previous experience in small group share what has been beneficial for you.”

 
[6:20 p.m.] Say, “Now, as you think about that person in your life, what qualities or characteristics did they have that enabled them to be a leader or mentor for you?” Allow people to respond with characteristics. Consider making a list on a large post-it. Or, Say, “As you enter this time of small group experience, what are you hoping to discover?” Consider making a list on a large post-it.
 
[6:35 p.m.] Say, “One of the initiatives related to our conference priority to support our development of missional leaders is something called 5 Cups of Coffee. It’s an encouragement for church leaders to be looking for how people might be called into ministry (as baptized members we are all called to ministry) and then inviting them into five conversations about their call and their spiritual life. They’ve created a handout that outlines what those five conversations might look like, and you might notice that the questions they ask actually apply to anyone seeking a deeper relationship with God, not just people considering entering vocational ministry. So tonight, I’d like us to go over some of these questions together, to reflect on our own spiritual life and calling and then to think about ways we might use this resource. Let’s begin with the God Conversation.” Ask someone to read Exodus 3:1-15. Say, “This was the story of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush. Look through the questions found in the first conversation: The God Conversation and choose one or two to talk about in your small group or with a partner.” Continue with any of the other four cups of coffee sessions in the same manner (as many as you feel you have time for), reading the scripture and then taking a few minutes to discuss.
 
[7:00 p.m.] Say, “Now that you’ve had a chance to practice with a few of these spiritual conversations with each other, let’s talk in our small groups or with our partners about how we might use this resource, or another like it to help develop leaders in our churches. One idea might be to have each member of your nominations group commit to have one or two of these “5 Cups of Coffee” conversations throughout the year – people that they think might have some potential for leadership in the church. Share with each other, what other ideas do you have for leadership development in your church?”
 
[7:15 p.m.] Say, “Now let’s share with the whole group: what other ideas are you already doing to develop leaders, or have thought you might do with this resource or another like it?”
 
[7:25 p.m.] Say, “Thank you so much for coming tonight. Hopefully this conversation has been encouraging for you. Let me pray for us as we head home for the evening.” Pray for their ministries at home, that they might be refreshed and that they might continue to hear God’s voice in their lives. Conclude the prayer asking for courage to engage in a conversation with someone in the coming days.

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Session Plan for Cups 2-5 (Repeat plan each week until all cups have been discussed.)

• (10 minutes) Gathering time of connection and opening prayer.

• (40 minutes) Read scripture for the Cup as large group. Within smaller groups (2-4 people) begin conversations using the questions found for each Cup Conversation.

• (10 minutes) As you gather your larger group back together, have individuals share any insights. Share any prayer requests and close the group with a prayer.

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