Spiritual Growth: Starting a Group

Sponsoring a group is an exciting opportunity. If you are new to group work, it may be helpful for you to visit a group nearby to become familiar with both the material and the group process. And, if you haven’t already done so, contact your region or country representative, who can assist you in either finding a group or starting one of your own.

There are 2 common ways to get a group going:

• Perhaps you and several friends have just tossed around the idea of starting a group. Well, you can begin whenever you feel ready! There are handouts available from the region or from headquarters that can assist you.
  
  
• You want to start a group but don’t know others who might be interested. Your region representative and/or the A.R.E. Study Group Department can assist in getting the word out to local A.R.E. members. You can also post notices in local newspapers and on bulletin boards of community centers, health food stores, Unity Churches, and so on. And, use the creative power of your mind to imagine people responding to your efforts. Be positive – believe in what you are doing and the right group of people will be drawn together.

Some of the Details

Set a day, time, and location for your initial meeting.

Most groups meet in private homes, however, public meeting places can also be used. Many libraries, churches, and banks make rooms available without charge.

The recommended size of a study group is from 2 to 12 people. If your initial response to a new group announcement is larger than anticipated, remember that initial participation in a group can be misleading. Group size fluctuates during the first several meetings until a core group emerges. If a larger group of people continue to show interest, the opportunity to form a second group may present itself.

Handouts are available from A.R.E. to help you navigate the group-starting process. Your region contact or the Study Group Department will provide these to you.

After a core group has emerged, we ask that you complete and return a Group Affiliation form to your region or country contact. Affiliating the group allows us to connect your group with the mainstream of all group activity. As new seekers come to us looking for a group in your area, we can refer them to you.

Congratulations!
You have decided to take a step that has proven to be one of the simplest yet most effective methods for spiritual growth and discovery of our times: starting A Spiritual Growth/Search for God study group.