The Method

What is MomsLife?

MomsLife is a new connection for the moms of our communities. The purpose of this ministry is to build friendships within a small group environment, grow closer to Jesus while sharing life experiences, and support each other as a relational community.  

Online Community Connection

Our online community connection has been set up so, as a mom, you don't have to feel like you are "doing it alone". A MomsLife website and forum have been designed to keep us connected to each other as a group while we meet in the individual groups of MomsLife. .

Find Your Place

It takes many hands in the kitchen to succesfully connect the moms in MomsLife. If there is a whisper of interest in any of the following positions, maybe God is calling you to get connected.

Volunteer Postitions

• On-site and Off-site HostMoms
• Website Managers
• Forum Moderators
• Meal Director
• Kiosk Host - Check In
• Guardian Angel (childcare rep)
• Childcare Providers
• Levi Team
• Mentor Moms
• Group Coach
• Team Leader

For more information feel free to contact me at momslife@juno.com

HostMoms

HostMom's are responsible for the following:

Y Coordinating the time and day of their groups two hour monthly meetings.
Y Making sure there is a group representative for her table during the centralized meetings.
Y Attending monthly leadership meetings for related training, planning and connections.
Y Regularly praying for those in her group.
Y Cultivating relationships in her group by contacting members of her group on a regular basis. (This can be done through email, phone calls, one-on-one get together, or going out as a group.) 
Y Regular communication with the Coach and/or Team Leader giving updates on thier group.

What Does a Home Meeting Look Like? (Food, Faith and Fun)

Making a connection with other moms is an important relationship that needs to be cultivated. We have set up a generic format to begin each group in order to give you direction and allow the group to get to know each other and have some fun while experiencing God's love.

As hostess your first responsibility to your group is to have an open heart and welcoming home. This doesn't mean everything has to be in place. But please consider the babies and toddlers in your group for safety and cleanliness.

Keep in mind that this is the time for moms to connect. Have a place set up strictly for moms to gather together. The exceptions to this would be newborns or nursing children. If children need to be attended to, make sure they are taken away from the table or designated area to allow other moms to stay in their "get away" place.

The goal of your meeting is to connect moms and grow together in Jesus, so what better way to do that than by eating together. You can either provide the snack or meal yourself or better yet share in the responsibility and make up a meal rotation schedule or organize a potluck for each meeting.

During your meal or snack time is a good time to have your group discussion using the study guide provided with the curriculum. You can either lead the discussion yourself or have everyone take turns keeping the group on track. You don't need to be a graduate scholar or know where all the books of the Bible are located to share your opinion about the study and make sure the focus of the discussion stays on the topic.

Don't forget the fun! Laughing and playing together is a great way to build a community of friends. So during the last hour of your meeting, sit back, relax and play some games. If you are like me and have a cupboard filled with games, try them all. Even candy land can be fun with a bunch of giggling ladies remembering what it feels like to be a child again. Another great way to learn more about the other moms in your group is to have them share games as well.

If you feel more comfortable having people take on a larger role within the group, you can have other moms be in charge of one the separate areas it takes to facilitate your group.

Y  Hostess- Try rotating between houses
Y  Discussion Group Leader- keep the ladies on track so you can have plenty of time for fun without feeling like you've missed something.
Y  Meal Planner- unless providing snacks or meals for everyone is your favorite way to serve others organize who is bringing food each meeting.
Y  Game Guru- has to know the group well or willing to learn about the group. Purpose would be to select fun activities to do within the group that everyone would enjoy together. 

•      Board games
•      Cards
•      Crafts
•      Hobbies
•      Talking
•      Cooking/ Baking

(Note: if ladies have many differences, alternate your fun time to accommodate everyone. - craft, games, talking, etc)

Agreeing to be a HostMom you are stating that you....have a heart for people and are willing to invest relationally in the lives of others, are willing to attend a Lifegroup leader Orientation, have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and that you are a member of Abundant Life Church supporting the philosophy of ministry; and core values and theology of Abundant Life Church.

HostMom Apprentice

Developing an apprentice leader or traininer within the group will help multiply the influence we, as moms, have on the world for Jesus and His mission. This training will make it possible to extend our groups further and reach and support more moms in His name.

Book Study

We will begin each year with participation in a light scripture based community study. This will help focus our entire group on one theme and unite us as a whole in the same direction.

This year our study will be "Gaining and Being a Friend" by Jean E. Syswerda. We chose this study to not only focus our group in the same direction but to connect each new small group with a fresh new look at friendship. God is relational and making a relational connection His way can change your life.

 Gaining and Being a Friend looks in-depth at types of friendships; on being friends with mothers, husbands, other women; and on how to be a better friend.

Synopsis: Mom's Ordinary Day Bible Study Series, winner of the Silver Medallion Book Award, is comprised of 8 volumes specifically designed to help a mom find wisdom from God's Word as she seeks to be the best mom, person, and disciple she can be. They cover the topics of prayer, self identity, friendship, spiritual development, encouragement, time management, guilt-free mothering, and confidence.

Description:  A Bible study series addressing the unique needs of moms.
 
These 8 Bible studies help women discover God’s wisdom on how to be the best mothers, women, and disciples they can be. Each study contains 6 sessions divided into 5 flexible portions: For You Alone, For You and God’s Word, For You and Others, For You and God, and For You and Your Kids. The last section helps moms share each week’s nugget of truth with their children.