Rooted Online Facilitator Resources

Weekly Training

Week 1

Facilitator Checklist

Before the First Meeting

• Watch the Rooted Online Facilitator Training | Week 1

• Review the Rooted Online Facilitator Resource page. This is your GO TO HUB.

Set Up Your Group

• Introduce yourself and Send the Zoom link to your group. You can use this Email Template.

• Reach out to every group member before the first meeting via email and Text.

• Be ready to share the Week 1 Kick-Off video to start your group.  Rooted Online Kick Off Video

• Video on how to share your screen HERE. 

Group Expectations

• Set clear expectations: cameras on.

• Take attendance every week; the link will be sent to your email. LINK HERE

• Begin building a culture of presence and participation.

• Make sure everyone has a Rooted book (send PDF or order link if needed)

Your Story (Lead First)

• Prepare your story ahead of time

• Keep it 2–3 minutes

• Be honest, but don’t overshare. Model the depth you want to see in them.

• Model the tone and depth you want from others

Plan Ahead

• Schedule story sharing for future weeks (2 people per week)

• Here is a video you can share with your group about sharing their story: Watch video

• Be ready to guide the flow of each session, look over your book and the facilitator’s book.

Mindset

• You’re setting the tone for the entire session

• Lead with clarity, warmth, and intention

• What you model in Week 1 becomes the culture of your group

Week 2

Facilitator Checklist

Before the Week

• Watch this Rooted Online Facilitator Training | Week 2

• Check your roster for updates (new people may have been added; they will be highlighted in Yellow)

Follow-Up & Communication

• Reach out to anyone who missed Week 1, You can use this EMAIL TEMPLATE for that. Edit as you see fit.

• Start a group text or email thread if you haven’t already. This is an easy way to keep connected and build relationships throughout the week.

• Send reminders and simple encouragements throughout the week

Group Management

• Take attendance every week. The link will be sent to your email. LINK HERE

• Keep track of no-shows and follow up with them quickly. Week 2 is the last week people can join your group.

• Make sure everyone has a Rooted book (send PDF or order link if needed)

Key Scheduling (Do This Early)

• Schedule your Prayer Experience (target Weeks 3–5) PUT DATE ON ROSTER INFO SHEET

• Schedule your Serve Experience (target Weeks 6–8) PUT DATE ON ROSTER INFO SHEET

• Have everyone bring calendars and lock in dates

• Aim for majority attendance, not perfection

Group Health

• Set expectation: cameras on. This is important for bonding and safety.

• Address issues privately, not in the group

• Frame it around helping everyone have the best experience

• Be aware that someone may need to join a future session instead

Looking Ahead

• Plan ahead so the Serve and Prayer experiences don’t get pushed too late

• Keep building connection and consistency early

Mindset

• This is where momentum starts to build

• Prioritize connection, communication, and clarity

• What you set now shapes the rest of the session

Week 3

Facilitator Checklist

Before the Week

• Watch the Rooted Online Facilitator Training | Week 3

Group Management

• Take attendance every week; the link will be sent to your email. LINK HERE

• Identify no-shows (missed Weeks 1–3). As they drop, move them to the DROPPED section of your Roster Info Sheet.

• Mark inactive participants in the roster. Here is a PDF to explain how to do that LINK HERE

• Keep roster info up to date, especially mailing addresses, as we will be sending them items.

Group Health

• Address camera issues immediately if they come up now.

• Reach out to Justin or your coach if problems persist

• Pay attention to the underlying pastoral needs if someone is disengaged

Looking Ahead

• Prepare group for mailed materials (tell them not to open yet once they receive it)

• Expect:

• Bookmark (Week 5 – Strongholds)

• Cardboard testimony card (Week 8)

• Be ready to write affirmation cards (coming Week 4) We will send these to you to send on to them.

Mindset

• Don’t drift into autopilot

• Stay engaged and intentional with your group

• Prioritize connection, follow-up, and care

Week 4

Facilitator Checklist

Before the Week

• Watch the Rooted Online Facilitator Training | Week 4

• Reach out to Justin or you coach with any questions or updates

Top Priority (Do This First)

• Schedule your Prayer Experience (must be outside group time). Watch this video for TIPS on the Online Prayer Experience. Watch Video 

• Schedule your Serve Experience. Here is a video link on how to do that. Watch Video

• Clearly communicate dates to your group so ther is no confusion.

👉 If these aren’t scheduled yet, you’re behind. Do this first.

Group Management

• Take attendance every week. The link will be sent to your email, LINK HERE

• Keep communication clear and consistent with your group.

• Don’t stress if serve experience details haven’t arrived yet (they come a few days before via email)

Group Health

• Be ready for deeper conversations (Week 4 covers suffering)

• Create space for honesty and vulnerability

• Lean in if people begin sharing more personally

Looking Ahead

• Start talking about life groups as the next steps if you have not already.

• Naturally bring it up in conversation (“when this becomes a life group…”)

• Begin thinking about potential future leaders (nominations are coming)

Mindset

• Momentum is building. Don’t lose it

• Be intentional with connection and communication

• Start thinking beyond Rooted to the long-term community

Week 5

Facilitator Checklist

Before the Week

• Watch the Rooted Online Facilitator Training | Week 5

• Spend intentional time praying for your group as you go into this week.

Top Priority

• Strongly encourage everyone to attend this week

• Follow up with anyone thinking about missing

👉 This is a key breakthrough week. Don’t let people skip it.

Group Health (Heavy Week)

• Be ready for deeper, more vulnerable conversations

• Expect emotional sharing and spiritual resistance

• Create a safe, supportive environment

• Here is a resource that may be helpful if someone in your group needs to talk to someone LINK HERE 

Follow-Up Care

• Reach out to individuals after the group if they shared deeply

• Send a simple text:

• “I’m praying for you”

• “Proud of you for sharing”

• Affirm vulnerability and encourage next steps

Leadership Development

• Start identifying potential life group leaders in your group.

• Reach out and affirm what you see in them.

Looking Ahead

• Begin the leader nomination process early. PUT NONIMATIONS ON THE ROSTER INFO SHEET.

• Aim to have future leaders ready for the final Leader Gathering and invite them to the final training meeting.

• Don’t let the group end without a clear next step. VERY IMPORTANT

Mindset

• This is a defining week for your group

• Lean in, don’t pull back

• Your presence, care, and leadership matter more than having perfect answers

Week 6

Facilitator Checklist

Before the Week

• Watch the Rooted Online Facilitator Training | Week 6

• Share the Spiritual Gifts Assessment link with your group LINK HERE Via email

• Ask everyone to complete it and bring the results to the group in week 7

Top Priority

• Submit your life group leader nomination(s). PUT NONIMATIONS ON THE ROSTER INFO SHEET.

• Follow up with anyone you’ve already talked to

• Give them opportunities to lead parts of the group (discussion, prayer, etc.)

👉 Don’t delay. This sets up what happens after Rooted.

Looking Ahead

• Talk about your Rooted Celebration:

• Choose a service time together. ONLINE SERVICE TIMES

Ongoing Care

• Continue following up on anything that surfaced during Week 5

• Take attendance every week. The link will be sent to your email, LINK HERE

• Point people to care and recovery resources if needed

• Reach out to Justin or your coach if you feel stuck or unsure

Mindset

• You’re past the halfway point. Momentum is strong

• Focus on helping the group continue beyond Rooted
• Facilitate the transition, don’t hold onto control

Week 7

Week 7 Facilitator Checklist

Before the Week

• Watch the Rooted Online Facilitator Training | Week 7

• Send the Spiritual Gifts Assessment link with your group LINK HERE Via email if you haven’t already

Top Priority

• Submit your leader nomination(s) if you haven’t yet. THIS IS THE BIG MOMENT. PUT NONIMATIONS ON THE ROSTER INFO SHEET.

👉 Don’t wait. Have a plan for leadership after Rooted.

Leadership Planning

• If you don’t see a clear leader:

• Reach out to Justin or your coach.

• Ask for help finding next steps (merging groups, other options)

• Don’t try to carry the group long-term yourself

Group Engagement

• Discuss Spiritual Gifts results (if completed)

• Keep conversations focused on growth, purpose, and connection

Looking Ahead

• Prepare for Week 8 (Giving Week):

• Let your group know what to expect

• You should be ready to share your screen and watch the teaching together

• Video on how to share your screen: Watch Video

• Begin conversations around baptism if it comes up:

• Let participants know there is a clear next step and support available if you close to a congregation or if you are part of Mariners Online

Mindset

• You’re near the finish line. Stay focused

• Help your group finish strong and transition well

• Don’t leave the future of the group unclear; pray with and for them.

Week 8

Facilitator Checklist

Before the Week

• Watch theRooted Online Facilitator Training | Week 8

• Attend the final Leader Gathering (bring your future leader)

Top Priority

• Prepare to lead the Week 8 video (screen share with your group)

• Video on how to share your screen: Watch Video

• Week 8 Video (Carboard Testimony Included)

• Remind everyone to bring their cardboard testimony card. We mailed those. Here is also a link they can print off. LINK HERE

Group Experience

• Guide your group through:

• Week 8 teaching (generosity)

• Cardboard testimony reflection (before and after Rooted)

• Create space for sharing and celebration

Cardboard Testimonies

• Have group members complete and share their cards

• Option: take photos or screen grab with everyone holding their cards (with permission)

• Let them know you will send a follow-up email that will include a way to submit their story. Here is Template of that email LINK HERE

Affirmations (Start Now)

• Watch for affirmation cards arriving in the mail

• Begin writing personal notes for each group member

• Take a photo of each card before sending it so you can read it over them at the celebration.

👉 This is one of the most meaningful parts of the experience.

Group Management

• Keep roster updated (mark inactive if needed)

• Continue including people relationally, even if they’ve missed weeks, but Justin will handle all follow-up to invite them back to a future session of Rooted.

• Take attendance every week. The link will be sent to your email. LINK HERE

Leadership & Next Steps

• Continue identifying:

• Future life group leaders

• Potential Rooted facilitators, also, we are always looking for future facilitators.

• People ready to serve (prayer team, hosting, etc.)

Looking Ahead

• Start preparing your group for the Celebration and what comes next

• Help people see their next step in community and serving

Mindset

• You’re almost at the finish line. Don’t coast

• Lean into celebration, reflection, and calling people forward

• Help your group see how far they’ve come

Week 9

Facilitator Checklist

Before the Week

• Watch the Rooted Online Facilitator Training | Week 9

• Confirm your Rooted Celebration service time with your group. Service times HERE

Top Priority

• Remind your group to share their story with someone outside the group

• Ask them to come ready to share how it went

👉 This is a key step in living out what they’ve learned.

Group Engagement

• Encourage simple, natural ways to share their story

• Lead by example. You share your story too

• Create space for reflection and celebration in your meeting

Affirmations (Do This Now)

• Write affirmation cards for each group member

• Take a photo of each card before mailing

• Mail them and tell your group not to open yet

Leadership & Transition

• Announce your approved life group leader (if ready)

• Reinforce that the group is continuing beyond Rooted

• Help clarify next steps so there’s no confusion. The Big 3. When are they meeting? Who is sending the link to meet? What are we going to go over?

Looking Ahead

• Prepare for Week 10:

• Communion

• Serving opportunities invite to be shared via an online form.

• Final celebration moments

• Remind your group this is not the end

Group Management

• Take attendance every week. The link will be sent to your email, LINK HERE

• Stay engaged with everyone, especially those drifting

Mindset

• Don’t coast. Finish strong

• This is where everything comes together

• Help your group step into what’s next, not just wrap up

Week 10

Facilitator Checklist

Before the Week

• Watch the Rooted Online Facilitator Training | Week 10

• Confirm Celebration details (time, link, time zones) with your group.

Top Priority

• Lead your group through the final experiences:

• Communion

• Affirmations

• Prayer/blessing

👉 This is the culmination of the entire Rooted journey.

Communion

• Ask everyone to bring simple elements (bread/juice or alternatives)

• Focus on the meaning, not the materials

• Lead the moment with intention

Affirmations & Prayer

• Read and speak affirmations over each person from the photos of the cards you took.

• Pray a personal blessing for each group member

• Call out growth, breakthrough, and identity

👉 Don’t rush this. This is a lasting moment.

Leadership Transition

• Involve your new life group leader in leading parts of the session

• Clearly communicate what happens next for the group.

Next Steps (Make a Plan)

• Set your next meeting date before ending

• Keep same day/time if possible

• Encourage simple structure (sermon discussion, consistency)

👉 Don’t leave without a clear plan.

Mindset

• Finish strong. Don’t coast

• Be present, intentional, and encouraging

• This is a defining moment your group will remember

CELEBRATION WEEKEND

Facilitator Checklist

Before Celebration

• Confirm Service Time with Everyone.

• Watch the Celebration video ahead of time and be ready to screen share

At the Celebration

• Watch the celebration video together, Rooted Online Celebration Video (screen share)

• Video on how to share your screen Watch Video 

• Participate in commissioning moment (“I do” responses)

• Encourage everyone to take a next step in serving. Online form will be available for you to share.

• Then Watch service together as a group  Youtube or Church Online

👉 Keep it simple, smooth, and intentional

Celebration Experience

• Watch the celebration video together (screen share)

• Participate in commissioning moment (“I do” responses)

• Encourage everyone to take a next step in serving

• Transition directly into watching the church service together

• Keep everyone engaged and present throughout

Group Discussion (After Service)

• Exit screen share and lead a short conversation:

• What stood out to you?

• What impacted you most?

• Reflect on growth and what God has done over the past 10 weeks

Next Steps (Don’t Skip This)

• Share the serve link with your group. We will provide this to you HERE.

• Strongly Encourage everyone to take a next step:

• Serve online

• Serve at their local congregation

• Call out gifts and where you see people stepping in

Mindset

• This is a celebration, not just a meeting

• Keep it meaningful, not rushed

• Help people clearly see their next step beyond Rooted