WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:01.240 --> 00:00:02.010 James Browning: Hello everyone. 00:00:02.010 --> 00:00:06.950 Welcome to Help for Hosts week one podcast for the Dream Now series. 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:11.150 Once again, I'm your friend, James Browning, and I serve as a 00:00:11.150 --> 00:00:15.000 small group pastor of development here at our fair church. 00:00:15.290 --> 00:00:17.850 And with me is my other friend, Bradley. 00:00:18.190 --> 00:00:19.330 Bradley: Hey guys, I'm Bradley. 00:00:19.380 --> 00:00:22.540 I'm uh, the engagement pastor at the Irvine South community. 00:00:23.185 --> 00:00:25.765 James Browning: And we are so excited for this journey. 00:00:26.165 --> 00:00:29.505 Our group hosts will be going on during the series along with us. 00:00:29.845 --> 00:00:36.315 And we are invited together as a church to dream now and dream beyond what we 00:00:36.315 --> 00:00:38.165 would have normally dreamed on our own. 00:00:38.515 --> 00:00:43.255 So this week we're going to be talking about dreaming now for your life. 00:00:43.425 --> 00:00:46.825 Bradley, why don't you share one of your favorite dreamers in the 00:00:46.825 --> 00:00:47.195 Bible? 00:00:48.004 --> 00:00:49.835 Bradley: Year Plan. 00:00:49.835 --> 00:00:56.245 Bradley, do you want to go first? 00:00:59.425 --> 00:01:03.255 I think it was, honestly, I mean, he had all these practical dreams. 00:01:03.335 --> 00:01:09.495 Uh, specifically, I'm thinking of, um, in Genesis 41, where Joseph 00:01:09.495 --> 00:01:13.465 interprets, uh, Pharaoh's dreams about seven years of abundance, but 00:01:13.865 --> 00:01:15.445 followed by seven years of famine. 00:01:15.905 --> 00:01:20.235 So he was preparing and being practical and ready for that famine, 00:01:20.265 --> 00:01:21.775 and it definitely helped him out. 00:01:21.905 --> 00:01:25.475 So that's a very practical dream, but man, like that story too, just 00:01:25.475 --> 00:01:27.785 so much faith, so much trials. 00:01:28.295 --> 00:01:31.845 It's something that, hey, I don't necessarily relate to, uh, having 00:01:31.845 --> 00:01:35.295 prophetic dreams like that on a regular basis, but it's super cool to 00:01:35.305 --> 00:01:37.925 see just Joseph's faith, and I relate 00:01:38.130 --> 00:01:40.490 James Browning: Maybe it's because your name is not Joseph. 00:01:40.490 --> 00:01:44.910 I mean, Joseph in the New Testament had dreams explaining that Jesus 00:01:44.910 --> 00:01:51.260 was, divinely conceived and that he should escape to Egypt. 00:01:51.620 --> 00:01:56.040 So maybe you just need to be more Joseph if you want those practical 00:01:56.390 --> 00:01:58.320 Bradley: I'll name my future kid Joseph so that I can get 00:01:58.320 --> 00:01:59.470 some of those practical dreams. 00:01:59.470 --> 00:01:59.790 James Browning: Hmm. 00:02:00.030 --> 00:02:00.420 All right. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:01.950 Way to avoid famine 00:02:02.070 --> 00:02:02.350 Bradley: Yeah. 00:02:03.500 --> 00:02:04.710 James Browning: Okay, so, 00:02:05.010 --> 00:02:09.230 once again, a reminder of how the books and resources work each week, we're 00:02:09.230 --> 00:02:11.090 going to hear a sermon on the weekend. 00:02:11.330 --> 00:02:14.100 And then whenever your small group typically meets again, mine 00:02:14.100 --> 00:02:17.810 meets on Fridays, you go through the video from pastor Andy. 00:02:17.880 --> 00:02:22.290 There's the QR code in the book, or you can also find it on the YouTube channel 00:02:22.550 --> 00:02:25.600 or the dream now, page on soundback. 00:02:25.600 --> 00:02:27.010 com slash dream now. 00:02:27.555 --> 00:02:31.485 And then after your small group watches and discusses a video, uh, 00:02:31.505 --> 00:02:36.065 feel free to, go through the personal devotional over the next five days. 00:02:36.675 --> 00:02:40.945 Also in that book, you'll find on page 85, there's quick tips under helps 00:02:40.945 --> 00:02:46.025 for hosts frequently asked questions, small group guidelines, circles of 00:02:46.025 --> 00:02:50.825 life, and a really useful tool that I kind of think is underrated is 00:02:50.825 --> 00:02:53.095 calendar and roster for host use. 00:02:54.295 --> 00:02:59.345 So we wanted to dive into some of our personal favorite tips for new 00:02:59.345 --> 00:03:03.845 groups or even seasoned groups that are looking to kind of level up, 00:03:04.125 --> 00:03:07.855 uh, how to make your time better. 00:03:07.875 --> 00:03:12.225 I think that one of the things we tend to look for as a host is 00:03:12.225 --> 00:03:15.585 like, just tell me what to do so I can tell them how to feel and. 00:03:16.050 --> 00:03:17.770 And that doesn't really work well. 00:03:17.870 --> 00:03:22.640 What does work well is creating an environment where that can happen. 00:03:22.710 --> 00:03:23.810 This is a relationship. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:27.710 You can't just tell the other person how they should feel, how they should grow. 00:03:28.040 --> 00:03:33.230 Uh, telling my wife to calm down has never worked or will ever work. 00:03:33.620 --> 00:03:39.510 And the best I can do is make her feel heard and appreciated and feel calm. 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:40.180 So. 00:03:40.660 --> 00:03:45.510 As the host, that's your role is to create that environment where even though 00:03:45.510 --> 00:03:50.360 relationships are messy, people have a space where they can grow together. 00:03:51.004 --> 00:03:54.994 Bradley, why don't you share some of your tips for setting the stage? 00:03:55.554 --> 00:03:59.664 Bradley: Yeah, I think kind of going along with that, it is very helpful 00:03:59.664 --> 00:04:01.834 to just make people feel comfortable. 00:04:01.854 --> 00:04:05.614 That is one of my passions, just as a groups pastor, is just kind 00:04:05.614 --> 00:04:08.468 of, hey, let's set the table so people can feel comfortable. 00:04:09.239 --> 00:04:13.569 Just natural, feel at ease, because they're already coming in a lot of 00:04:13.569 --> 00:04:16.169 times, especially if you're joining a new group, whether it's an on campus 00:04:16.169 --> 00:04:21.229 gathering, or at someone's house, or even just joining a Zoom online. 00:04:21.639 --> 00:04:22.449 Shields are up. 00:04:22.689 --> 00:04:23.479 Guards are up. 00:04:23.969 --> 00:04:27.819 So, I think it is very important to spend that time, even though it might seem 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:31.929 arbitrary because it doesn't pertain to the study, to really just have those 00:04:31.959 --> 00:04:36.369 icebreaker questions, to get to know you as like, Hey, what's your name? 00:04:36.639 --> 00:04:38.099 You know, what area are you living in? 00:04:38.594 --> 00:04:42.334 Um, how long you've been attending Saddlebacks, just to start, and then 00:04:42.344 --> 00:04:44.344 have those fun icebreaker questions. 00:04:44.684 --> 00:04:49.594 Um, it can be anything like, have you seen the latest, uh, movies out? 00:04:49.614 --> 00:04:53.334 Or it could be something actually pertaining to the study, um, 00:04:53.454 --> 00:04:55.724 more practical like, Hey, have you ever been in a group before? 00:04:56.224 --> 00:05:00.814 Uh, people want to know about others, so then, okay, that person 00:05:00.814 --> 00:05:04.994 shared, Okay, I feel like I can mirror that and also share that. 00:05:05.354 --> 00:05:11.064 So, it starts there, and then again, by diving into the study, I think 00:05:11.064 --> 00:05:18.434 something it's important to know as a host, be okay with silence, and also, not 00:05:18.444 --> 00:05:20.504 everyone does want to answer right away. 00:05:21.114 --> 00:05:26.464 So, for example, I have two people in my current small group who are autistic 00:05:26.514 --> 00:05:29.104 and just talking to them individually. 00:05:29.134 --> 00:05:33.824 I found out hey They they're happy to be there But they only want to 00:05:33.824 --> 00:05:37.764 answer maybe one or two questions a week because it's a lot for them So 00:05:38.174 --> 00:05:42.464 every time there's a question or every time there's an icebreaker I ask hey, 00:05:42.484 --> 00:05:44.564 would you like to add anything guys? 00:05:45.374 --> 00:05:48.444 And about half the time they'll respond yes or no and I just have 00:05:48.444 --> 00:05:53.614 found and they have told me that just me asking for participation 00:05:53.614 --> 00:05:58.569 and Has really been great, and um, Something that they've felt included. 00:05:58.829 --> 00:06:02.209 So I think even, again, as a host, remember, Hey, everybody's on different 00:06:02.209 --> 00:06:06.279 social skills levels, Other people are on different comfortability 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:07.749 levels, And be okay with that. 00:06:08.469 --> 00:06:09.669 James Browning: I I love that. 00:06:09.669 --> 00:06:10.049 Bradley. 00:06:10.049 --> 00:06:10.129 I 00:06:10.149 --> 00:06:15.639 think that's an excellent point of just being cognizant of where everyone is at. 00:06:16.159 --> 00:06:20.789 Another thing that I have found to be helpful is, um, setting and 00:06:20.789 --> 00:06:22.679 meeting people's expectations. 00:06:23.319 --> 00:06:26.879 A lot of times hosts feel as though the expectation is for 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:28.039 them to have all the answers. 00:06:28.439 --> 00:06:29.199 And that's not a. 00:06:29.269 --> 00:06:30.619 Substitute Yeah. 00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:31.629 Bradley: what your stuff is. 00:06:32.399 --> 00:06:35.349 James Browning: Well, I do think that that's not necessarily true. 00:06:35.349 --> 00:06:38.169 You as a host, don't have to have all the answers. 00:06:38.679 --> 00:06:43.709 In fact, I think you as the host can be better served by creating 00:06:44.099 --> 00:06:46.669 the atmosphere of being prepared 00:06:46.779 --> 00:06:47.169 Bradley: Yes. 00:06:47.719 --> 00:06:49.279 James Browning: and having good questions. 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:49.729 Bradley: Mhm. 00:06:50.169 --> 00:06:53.519 James Browning: Uh, one way you can do this practically is by previewing 00:06:53.529 --> 00:06:57.749 the week's video before your small group meets, writing down any questions 00:06:57.749 --> 00:06:59.569 or thoughts that come out from that. 00:07:00.394 --> 00:07:02.544 Again, you do not have to have the answers. 00:07:02.724 --> 00:07:06.184 In fact, it's probably even a little bit of a conversation killer. 00:07:06.504 --> 00:07:10.044 If you come in right off the bat with all of the answers, you give 00:07:10.044 --> 00:07:13.514 them an answer and they may stop thinking or engaging about it. 00:07:13.524 --> 00:07:14.654 They're like, got the answer. 00:07:14.694 --> 00:07:15.074 Great. 00:07:15.174 --> 00:07:16.044 And then tune out. 00:07:16.654 --> 00:07:20.879 So come in instead of with the answers, come in prepared with questions. 00:07:21.089 --> 00:07:24.299 Bradley: And I think along with that too, it is the way how you frame the question. 00:07:24.309 --> 00:07:28.109 So, for instance, if we were reading through Luke and Acts like we just 00:07:28.109 --> 00:07:33.779 did as a church, and you said, hey, so like, during this passage, uh, how 00:07:33.779 --> 00:07:35.479 do you think the disciples responded? 00:07:35.679 --> 00:07:38.984 And if you answer, you kind of like, Say it like that. 00:07:39.004 --> 00:07:40.714 It's like, oh, Bradley already knows the answer. 00:07:40.714 --> 00:07:44.274 He's wanting us to answer correctly when it's more like, hey I was reading 00:07:44.284 --> 00:07:47.864 guys in the scripture and this question came up and it's something that I'm even 00:07:47.864 --> 00:07:51.814 wrestling with they're thinking about Is any what was anybody's thoughts kind 00:07:51.814 --> 00:07:56.244 of coming in is not the know it all even if you do know it Just say let's 00:07:56.954 --> 00:07:58.424 let's let someone else figure it out. 00:07:58.434 --> 00:08:02.164 Even if you do know and I think that brings it Okay, Bradley doesn't have 00:08:02.164 --> 00:08:04.884 all the answers James doesn't have all the answers We're learning and 00:08:04.884 --> 00:08:07.884 discovering together, but he was prepared because he asked the question 00:08:08.529 --> 00:08:11.529 James Browning: Yeah, the goal is to invite people into a conversation, 00:08:11.599 --> 00:08:14.349 not make them feel like they have to try to guess your riddles. 00:08:16.555 --> 00:08:24.444 But yeah, but the other thing you can do, and this seems so obvious and it seems 00:08:24.514 --> 00:08:29.294 like such a churchy answer, but I can't, I can't stress enough how true it is. 00:08:29.624 --> 00:08:32.674 Pray before your meeting, before your small group meets, 00:08:32.824 --> 00:08:33.454 Bradley: Absolutely. 00:08:33.814 --> 00:08:36.384 James Browning: pray for God to be a part of your small group meeting 00:08:36.384 --> 00:08:39.464 while you're going through the series, ask him to help your group members to 00:08:39.474 --> 00:08:42.474 dream together, to dream God's dreams. 00:08:42.534 --> 00:08:45.054 This is us praying. 00:08:45.509 --> 00:08:51.389 To, to be a part of what God is doing, not just asking God to bless what we're doing. 00:08:52.829 --> 00:08:56.419 And when we're doing that, we're doing things in God's power 00:08:56.449 --> 00:08:57.629 when we are aligned with Him. 00:08:58.214 --> 00:08:58.374 Bradley: and 00:08:58.374 --> 00:09:01.634 I think, I really do think during this series, you're going to encounter 00:09:01.634 --> 00:09:06.054 people with dreams that you might, stuff they've never shared with other 00:09:06.054 --> 00:09:08.074 people, and it could be hard to share. 00:09:08.134 --> 00:09:10.354 Like, there could be people in financial distress. 00:09:10.899 --> 00:09:14.639 We were sharing like, hey, like, I dream to get out of this, and, um, 00:09:15.049 --> 00:09:18.479 You have other people who are looking to maybe make a radical change in 00:09:18.479 --> 00:09:19.989 their life, and it's heavy stuff. 00:09:20.629 --> 00:09:25.409 So, I I I would be encouraging, like, hey, leaders, just be 00:09:25.409 --> 00:09:26.869 praying for God's discernment. 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:30.299 To, hey, don't just breeze past, like, okay, c cool dream, dude. 00:09:30.799 --> 00:09:34.109 And then go to the next person, like, hey, maybe it's, this is 00:09:34.109 --> 00:09:36.799 a, uh, a time where, hey, we 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:39.829 See what what's the feel like. 00:09:39.894 --> 00:09:43.914 Should we camp out on someone's dream here and discuss it more? 00:09:43.984 --> 00:09:47.044 Or maybe something later, God's giving you a discernment, Hey, I 00:09:47.594 --> 00:09:49.254 heard that guy's dreams in my group. 00:09:49.794 --> 00:09:52.424 I'm gonna talk with him one on one and have that 00:09:52.814 --> 00:09:53.874 James Browning: I, 00:09:53.884 --> 00:09:55.284 love that you bring that up, Bradley. 00:09:55.506 --> 00:10:00.036 I think that that honestly is one of the values of small groups. 00:10:00.436 --> 00:10:04.666 Is, it is a safe space where you can share your dream, but also have some 00:10:05.440 --> 00:10:07.896 Bradley: people's perception 00:10:15.504 --> 00:10:15.544 world. 00:10:20.604 --> 00:10:21.374 Hold my tongue. 00:10:21.814 --> 00:10:24.984 I've learned, like, oh wow, like, I'm glad I stayed quiet because, like, 00:10:25.214 --> 00:10:26.904 this person really opened up here. 00:10:27.424 --> 00:10:30.904 And there was, like, progress with where they're moving in their spiritual journey. 00:10:31.634 --> 00:10:38.024 And you get the pleasure, as a host, to walk alongside those people during 00:10:38.024 --> 00:10:40.024 that journey, if you so are willing. 00:10:40.344 --> 00:10:44.544 Or it potentially to just needs a little bit of guidance, like, because 00:10:44.544 --> 00:10:47.004 sometimes people, it's very broad, right? 00:10:47.514 --> 00:10:49.504 It's like, okay, let's, let's get more specific. 00:10:50.494 --> 00:10:51.554 Let's take that next step. 00:10:51.964 --> 00:10:55.704 James Browning: And that's the value of your small group is this is a opportunity 00:10:55.754 --> 00:11:02.274 where you can Basically get together with a think tank for your dream and say, not 00:11:02.284 --> 00:11:03.554 Bradley: a counseling session, though, right? 00:11:03.714 --> 00:11:06.234 James Browning: a counseling session, a think tank that where they can cheer 00:11:06.234 --> 00:11:08.814 you on, but also hold you accountable. 00:11:08.814 --> 00:11:12.294 Say like, okay, if this is your dream, what, what are you doing? 00:11:12.324 --> 00:11:16.034 If this is something that you think is from God, what steps 00:11:16.034 --> 00:11:17.414 of obedience are you taking? 00:11:18.229 --> 00:11:21.894 Bradley: guys have a 00:11:24.314 --> 00:11:27.984 great opportunity to really just set the table for people being 00:11:27.984 --> 00:11:29.684 comfortable to share their dreams? 00:11:30.494 --> 00:11:34.424 And with that, everybody just walking on the same journey together. 00:11:34.434 --> 00:11:39.614 Different journeys, but parallel paths, perhaps, of Taking their next steps. 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:44.239 James Browning: So Bradley you also lead an on campus group. 00:11:44.249 --> 00:11:47.679 What are some tips for some of the other people who lead on campus groups here? 00:11:47.794 --> 00:11:51.364 Bradley: Yeah, I, for the record, I lead an online group and I lead an on campus. 00:11:53.169 --> 00:11:56.509 But that to say, I think if you are someone who is leading an online 00:11:56.509 --> 00:12:02.739 group, just be aware that you do, only one person can speak at a time. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:07.159 And that is just the unfortunate part about online, there's no side chatter. 00:12:07.339 --> 00:12:10.019 So with that, be very considerate of people's time. 00:12:10.579 --> 00:12:13.349 Be thinking about how to maximize people's time. 00:12:13.349 --> 00:12:15.919 So do more breakout rooms, ideally. 00:12:16.429 --> 00:12:19.179 But set the stage of like, making sure people are prepared before 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:20.259 they go into the breakout room. 00:12:20.709 --> 00:12:25.439 Now if you are meeting on campus though, Um, I do feel like dinners 00:12:25.489 --> 00:12:30.909 and, uh, appetizers and snacks really do make people feel comfortable. 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:34.899 Cause again, in scripture shows, like, everybody breaks bread and that's where 00:12:34.899 --> 00:12:38.309 the community and the conversation just naturally happens as people are eating. 00:12:38.709 --> 00:12:42.449 Um, and then I would also say too, don't always have to take it too seriously. 00:12:42.459 --> 00:12:42.989 Have fun. 00:12:43.349 --> 00:12:47.864 If, uh, you spend and camp out on one question, That's okay. 00:12:48.294 --> 00:12:51.454 You don't need to go through all three or five of the questions to 00:12:51.454 --> 00:12:54.104 make sure you completed the series. 00:12:54.184 --> 00:12:54.754 That's alright. 00:12:54.774 --> 00:12:59.514 So make sure, again, be praying for that discernment, uh, where's 00:12:59.514 --> 00:13:03.784 God gonna work and, uh, guide you in this series and lean into that. 00:13:03.784 --> 00:13:05.784 Don't just be like, okay, I see God over there, but let me keep 00:13:05.784 --> 00:13:06.994 continuing on these questions. 00:13:08.219 --> 00:13:08.689 James Browning: All right. 00:13:08.699 --> 00:13:09.739 I love that Bradley. 00:13:09.739 --> 00:13:13.919 Those are just some great tips, but again, if you have some great tips, 00:13:13.919 --> 00:13:16.759 we would love to hear them, please. 00:13:17.089 --> 00:13:22.409 Feel free to reply to the weekly emails that we send out, or you can also 00:13:22.489 --> 00:13:25.079 email us at smallgroupsatsaddleback. 00:13:25.079 --> 00:13:28.669 com and share your dream now story. 00:13:28.989 --> 00:13:34.339 Honestly, if you and your group record a question just on your, on your phone 00:13:34.439 --> 00:13:40.909 or record a story or anything that came out from your, uh, small group, 00:13:40.909 --> 00:13:45.291 we'd email that to us and we'd love to actually include it in the next episode. 00:13:45.481 --> 00:13:50.251 Again, share a story with us, share one of the dreams that someone in your small 00:13:50.251 --> 00:13:55.561 group had, and the other thing is we are big, huge fans of Tattletales here. 00:13:55.581 --> 00:13:56.821 Bradley: Oh, speak for yourself, James. 00:13:57.046 --> 00:13:57.726 James Browning: no, I love them. 00:13:58.326 --> 00:14:01.226 I love them because telltales get a bad rep. 00:14:01.256 --> 00:14:04.456 I'll, I'll give you that what we're actually looking for though, is 00:14:04.456 --> 00:14:08.686 for you to tell on something that you heard God say in someone else. 00:14:09.382 --> 00:14:13.749 We most frequently hear God either in our own quiet time or in our small group. 00:14:14.089 --> 00:14:17.099 And so in your small group, you're going to hear someone say something 00:14:17.099 --> 00:14:19.339 that like, Oh, that is a genius idea. 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:22.539 What I'd love for you to do is pull out your phone, say, 00:14:22.549 --> 00:14:23.889 Hey, could you say that again? 00:14:24.119 --> 00:14:26.209 Record it in your phone and email it to us. 00:14:26.239 --> 00:14:28.839 And we want to share it in the next episode. 00:14:29.169 --> 00:14:31.449 So, with that, I'm James Browning 00:14:31.535 --> 00:14:32.224 Bradley: your 00:14:32.729 --> 00:14:33.799 James Browning: we will see you next week. 00:14:34.525 --> 00:14:35.174 Bradley: school. 00:14:35.824 --> 00:14:40.224 What burden on God's heart is he asking me to carry? 00:14:40.224 --> 00:14:45.024 What would I do for God if I knew I wouldn't fail? 00:14:45.024 --> 00:14:46.624 What's in my hand?