HomeBuilders Training

Can an average couple be used by God to have a significant impact with families? Yes!  

The HomeBuilders Couples Series are tools FamilyLife has created to help couples apply biblical teaching on marriage in a non-threatening environment.  

The couple that leads a small group does not need to have a perfect marriage or be expert Bible teachers. God can use their shortcomings in the lives of other couples. The most effective facilitators for HomeBuilders groups are couples who are willing to be transparent and share about their own struggles and challenges.  

Most titles have six 90-minute sessions. Therefore, couples will only need to make a short-term commitment. This is one of the reasons couples may be willing to get involved even if they have never been in a small group. Six to eight couples are the ideal number in a group.  

In every culture in the world, couples enjoy meeting together and talking about something important—their family. So when you start a small group study, it could lead to a movement in your city and across your country!  

Starting HomeBuilders after a FamilyLife “exposure event” or following a FamilyLife “major event” like a one-day marriage seminar is also a great time to launch a new group.  

The Leader Couple’s Role

• Pray for the group members
• Prepare the lesson with your spouse
• Keep the discussion moving
• Don’t teach! Just ask the question and wait  

Whom should we invite?

• Couples with various church affiliations or no church affiliation
• Neighbors, co-workers, friends and family
• Couples who attended a FamilyLife event    

Where will you meet?

• Your home
• Group members’ homes
• Church
• School
• Theater
• Café 

Tips for Leading:

• Encourage balanced participation. Do not let a few people dominate the discussion.
• Lead by sharing personal examples. As you prepare the lesson, decide together as a couple which examples you will share. Remember, a perfect marriage is not mandatory to lead a HomeBuilders group. Sharing your experiences (successes and failures) shows your group that you are on this journey together.
• Expect God to work! God causes change in people’s lives—not you!
• Create an environment where God’s Spirit can work. Hospitality, warmth, acceptance, fun, and encouragement create an atmosphere where people can feel safe and spiritually nurtured.  

Ground Rules

• Share nothing about your marriage that will embarrass your spouse.
• You may pass on any question you do not want to answer
• Each couple should commit to complete the HomeBuilders Projects
• Maintain group confidentiality   

HomeBuilder titles to begin are:

• Keeping Your Covenant
• Building Your Marriage
• Building Teamwork in Your Marriage  

Click here for a list of HomeBuilders titles and descriptions.