Leading a Mosaic Group
Make the Most of Your Time
What Happens
When We
Are Late?
Late  
Welcome! We've been expecting you.
 
Imagine that you are a first time visitor to a Mosaic group.  You decide to arrive a few minutes earlier so you can make sure you have a chance to get acquainted and settled in before the meeting begins.  However,  when you arrive you are met with some surprises:
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1. The hostess answers the door, and greets you, but quickly resigns to the kitchen where she is preparing a snack.  You wait by patiently by yourself.
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2. It is time to start, but you are the only one in the group.  The hostess has completed her preparations and joins you apologetically, "I'm not sure where everyone is tonight.  Maybe they got caught in traffic."
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3. Eventually a few people begin to arrive.  They welcome you and seem interested in getting to know you.  But the meeting doesn't start right away because the person bringing the lesson has not yet arrived.
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4. Finally the teacher hurriedly comes in and joins the group.  He takes several minutes to organized; the study eventually begins.
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5. The meeting lasts an extra hour.  You are getting nervous because you left your children with the babysitter.  Unfortunately you have to excuse yourself early because you promised you would return home by a certain time.
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How would you feel?  Would you attend the following week?  If so, what would you do differently next week?
What advice would you give this group leader? 
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Introduction

Ephesians 5:15-16

Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

 

One of your goals as a Mosaic leader is to make your time together as meaningful and uplifting as possible. This lesson is designed to help you develop good habits when it comes to planning your group session so that you can make the most of your time together.

Five Star Welcome Five Star Welcome

Have you ever noticed how friendly the staff members of a five star motel can be?  They know they may never get a second chance to make a good first impression.  They want to send a clear message.  "We want you to enjoy your stay and keep coming back."

 

It is important to treat guests in your Mosaic group the same way.  Here are the messages we convey when we make the most of the time.

 

* You are important.

* Your time is valuable.

* God cares about you, and so do I.

* I want you to feel comfortable.

*  Welcome to the group.

Make the Most of Your Time
 

1. Make sure your lesson is thoroughly prepared. If you do not have a plan and a schedule, rest assured, someone else will.

 

2. There is a saying, "Time flies when you are having fun." Do your best to make lessons dynamic, engaging and relevant.

 

3. Make sure any snacks, if any, are ready in advance. This way you can focus on your guests as they arrive.

 

4. Make sure any electronics are set up and ready.

 

5. Make sure that you are completely prepared at least 10-15 minutes early. When you are prepared and anticipating the arrival of your first guests, it sends a powerful message....."Welcome! I've been expecting you."

 

6. Always start on time. It is very tempting to delay until everyone arrives. This is a bad habit and does not respect the efforts others have made to be on time. Amazingly, when people learn that the meeting ALWAYS starts on time, they begin to plan accordingly.

 

7. Plan for your session to last no more than one hour. People may choose to stay longer, but those who need to leave may.

 

8. Learn the art of redirection. There may be a group member who gets off track or dominates the conversation. Gently move the discussion along to insure you finish on time.  Obviously there are times when it is necessary to discuss  a certain topic or life issue in further depth than anticipated.  However, this should be the exception rather than the rule.

 

9. Schedule adequate time for all four elements: fellowship, prayer, worship, and Bible study.

 

10. Avoid cancelling meetings.   The more times you cancel meetings, the less likely people are to remain committed to the group. It is also best to meet in the same place every time.

.  
Life Moves Pretty Fast
Life Moves Pretty Fast
Life Moves Pretty Fast

 

Understanding

North American Culture

 

North Americans generally consider time to be a precious commodity.  Time is often idolized as much as money, fancy cars, or expensive jewelry. This view can be seen in the way we express ourselves: "Don't waste my time." "We spent time together." "Is it worth my time?" "I am crunched for time." "I have better things to do with my time." And of course, "Time is money!"

 

North Americans generally expect events to start on time and finish on time. It is considered rude to start late or finish late. Some may also grow impatient waiting for the group to "get to the point". 

 

In contrast, some cultures consider time to be a gift that has been equally distributed to all men. Whether rich or poor, powerful or weak, elite or destitute, everyone has been given exactly the same----twenty four hours, three hundred a sixty five days. Time is, therefore, to be savored and enjoyed.