Many people want to serve their community. They see single moms carrying heavy responsibilities, widows needing practical help, new moms who could use a meal, seniors feeling alone and families going through difficult seasons.

They care, but they may not know how to support long term after the initial meal or act of kindness. What if they were invited to your small group or go with them to an event.

What if one person simply invited them to come together?

“Be the spark that ignites change in your church and spreads throughout your community.” Jenny Forner, Founder of Thrive on Purpose

You do not need to have every detail figured out. You do not need to be an experienced teacher or have a large ministry budget. You only need to be willing to gather a few people who want to learn how to love their neighbors more intentionally, literally putting “love your neighbor” on the calendar. That is how a Thrive GO Group can begin.

From Learning to Living

See People. Share Love. Serve Neighbors. is a six-week small-group experience that helps people move from learning about loving their neighbors to living it out together.

“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” Janes 3:5

During the six weeks, participants will learn, talk, pray and take practical steps together:

• Week 1: Love Yourself
  Receive God’s love, understand your value and recognize that you cannot give from an empty heart.
• Week 2: See People
  Slow down, notice the people God places in your path and listen to their stories.
• Week 3: Share Love
  Build genuine relationships by showing up, listening, encouraging and caring consistently.
• Week 4: Serve Neighbors
  Put “Love Your Neighbor” on your calendar regularly to use your time, abilities and resources to respond to real needs with dignity and compassion.
• Week 5: Plan a Monthly Service Project
  Choose a specific group of people and one practical way your group can serve them.
• Week 6: Reflect, Celebrate and Decide What’s Next
  Share what God has taught you, celebrate the relationships that have begun and decide whether to continue as a Thrive GO Group.

One Person Can Gather the Group: Every movement begins with someone willing to take the first step. Could that person be you?  And a friend?

Think about the people you know who care about the community but may be waiting for someone to invite them. They may be friends, neighbors, church members, coworkers or people who have personally experienced a difficult season.

Your invitation can be simple:

“I am gathering a few people who want to build relationships and serve our community. We will meet for six weeks to complete See People. Share Love. Serve Neighbors. Then we will plan one service project together. Would you like to join us?”

You are not asking them to make a lifelong commitment. You are inviting them to take one six-week step.

What Happens After Six Weeks?

The six weeks are only the beginning.

The group may choose a specific population: such as new moms, single moms, widows, seniors or families going through a difficult season. Then the group chooses one primary way to serve, such as providing meals, completing home repairs, helping with car maintenance or offering encouragement and someone who will walk with them in a relationship.

By serving together monthly, members build relationships with one another and with the people they serve. Those who once received help are invited to join the group for the next service project to utilize their gifts.

This is how service builds relationships. This is how relationships create belonging. This is how a small group becomes a Thrive GO Group.

As the group grows to 10 people, 4 people create a new group focused on another population or project, so a system is established so additional GO Groups can begin.