Launching Freedom Groups: How to Implement Group-Based Biblical Soul Care

Intended Audience: Pastors, Counseling Pastors, Staff and Leaders who would either oversee, facilitate, or execute parts of Freedom groups as a ministry of the church.  Purpose: Participants will gain an understanding of how Freedom Groups provide a safe and inviting atmosphere for deeper discipleship.  How a biblical soul care in small groups is both preventative and addresses issues too complex for most life groups.  You will learn the impact of  mutual care (“one anothering”), leadership coaching, and heart targeting training benefits both leaders and participants. Finally, you will know how to launch Freedom Groups within your church context.  Our hope is this will also create opportunities for Gospel outreach and impact within the surrounding community. \ Duration: January 15 - March 26, 2026; 4:00-5:30PM EST\ Format: 6 Training Calls + 2 Coaching Calls\ Pricing: $499 per participant | $1,499 per church team (up to 5 leaders)\ \ Proposed Schedule Pre-Work: - Read assigned sections of the Freedom Group Leader’s Guide - Review promotional materials - Reflect on current church needs Call 1: The Why of Freedom Groups — Jan 15, 2026; 4:00-5:30PM - Vision + biblical foundation - Why Freedom Groups matter + testimonies - How they create a culture of soul care - Distinctives: gospel and heart focused, transparency Call 2: Developing a 6-Month Launch Plan — Jan 29, 2026; 4:00-5:30PM Prework: Review the Freedom Group Launch Roadmap - Roadmap + launch timeline - Roles: teachers, coordinators, table leaders, apprentices - Recruiting and training table leaders - Promotion strategy (services, testimonies, social media, print) - Distinctives: church based, train the trainer, part of small groups - Aligning launch with the church calendar Call 3: Running Freedom Group Sessions — Feb 12, 2026; 4:00-5:30PM - Weekly rhythm and session flow - Best practices for engagement - Role of table leaders - Distinctives: Leaders share their hearts, homework is heart targeting, 4-5 at table - Using the Leader’s Guide effectively Homework: Think about your church context and list what may be the biggest challenges for launching Freedom Groups. It may be logistical, recruitment, promotion, buy-in and adoption, or something else. Also consider and make a list of the areas where Freedom Groups will most benefit your church body. Call 4: Common Challenges & Solutions — Feb 26, 2026; 4:00-5:30PM - Handling resistance or skepticism, Building buy-in and momentum - Addressing dropouts and attendance dips - Supporting leaders - Distinctives: Social covenant, peer accountability, bridge to other care - Keeping gospel focus vs. drifting into therapy Call 5: Coaching Based on Church Context — Mar 12, 2026; 4:00-5:30PM - Participants share context + challenges - Facilitated coaching + group input - Distinctives: Contextualize to your churches size and developmental stage Homework: Use the Launch Template to develop an early draft launch plan for Freedom Groups. The level of detail and areas of emphasis may vary based on the stage of “readiness” in your context. Call 6: Building the Launch Plan — Mar 26, 2026; 4:00-5:30PM - Participants present draft launch plans - Peer + facilitator feedback - Distinctive: We will coach you through the first season - Define next 30–60 days Post-Work (late Dec / early Jan): - Finalize launch plan - Begin recruitment + promotion - Optional follow-up touchpoint in January for accountability Leaders: Jeff Hunt & Jill Wamsley, Cohort Leaders Co-Leaders – Seasoned FG leaders (differ at each cohort meeting) Cohort Administrator: Jill Wamsley You will receive additional resources, scheduling details and coordinate communications with our cohort administrator as needed. Group Instructions: Step 1: Register by following the instructions on the website Step 2: Join Zoom calls for whole group Step 3: Schedule the two Cohort Leaders follow-up calls with each participant/group. Required Book: Freedom Group Leaders Guide Recommended Resources: Sinner, Sufferer, Saints [Emlet] Instruments in The Redeemers Hands [Tripp] True Freedom article Fruit to Root Diagnostic article Let Me Draw You a Picture article