I'm brand new

[Julie Bell]

Hi, I'm totally brand new to this board and starting a group at church. I did participate in a First Place group at our church in AR about ten years ago, but OH SO MUCH water has passed under the bridge since then. My husband just started as pastor of our church here in TX in Jan., and we have just started a new group at our church this last week. For everyone except me, this is the FIRST TIME they've ever done First Place. I am excited and overwhelmed at the same time. I feel quite confident that God led me to start this group, so therefore, He will give me the courage and strength to do it. But it's kinda scary feeling like people are looking to you for the answers!!! I don't really have any specific questions (yet!), but I just wanted to introduce myself and hopefully get some much needed encouragement.

Blessings,
Julie

[Pat/TX]

Julie,
You have come to the right place. I'm sure there are people here who will gladly encourage you and be a constant source of information when you have questions. Let us know what we can do for you as you follow God's leadership with this new group. We'll be praying that you have a very successful session.

Pat/TX

[terri]

Hi, Julie, Let me first say that leading a First Place group has been a huge blessing to me! I have a great group of ladies that I have been leading for about a year. I have about 18 on my roster with an average attendance of 12. The best advice I can give you is be prepared to help them understand how to count exchanges. The DVD on the Live It is good but I have come up with several other things and I focus on something each week to help instill the counting of exchanges. Every week I have everyone fill out a prayer request form with a personal prayer request and their contact info. We then pass the basket and everyone puts in their request along with a dollar or 2 or some change. This money is used for our prizes and any other expensed we might have. The basket is passed a second time an everyone draws out a slip. This is the person they will encourage for the week. This has made us more successful in the encouragement department. I usually have everyone share something as the basket comes to them. We might all share what we had for breakfast and how to count it. This last week I had everyone share a tip of how to best keep any commitment while on vacation. I try to make it fun. I have cut out pictures of food, glued them to paper plates and written what the measurements of the food are and had them decide the exchanges. I have made lists of food and had them identify what catedgory of the exchanges they are, etc.
I also offer to help anyone who is having trouble with the exchanges additional help outside the classroom.
We alll love the bible studies so we have a good group discussion about them.
Know that I will be praying for you and your group.
I also highly recommend the National Conference . Three of us went last year and we had a blast. Terri