Thrive Leader’s Guide

Facilitating Spirit-Led Transformation in Community

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. — Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

Important: Thrive is not a program. Thrive is a philosophy of healing through the Holy Spirit. It is not designed to fix you or your problems. It is a sacred space that points you more deeply toward the only One who can fix all things — and that is Jesus.

This guide is meant to be detailed, practical, heart-focused, and Spirit-sensitive. Thrive is not about perfection; it is about presence — presence with Christ and presence with others in His Spirit. Thrive is not something we “run” — it’s something we steward.

Introduction: The Heart of Thrive

What Thrive Is

Thrive is not a classroom.
Thrive is not a curriculum to finish.
Thrive is not a methodology to master.
Thrive is a community where God’s Spirit meets wounded hearts.
Thrive is a dynamic, relational experience where healing, change, and transformation occur as God invites each person deeper into Himself — and the group carries one another in that journey.

Leaders must remember: Set the tone as if you are speaking to the most broken person in the room — not the addict suffering the consequences of bad life choices, but the abused child or battered spouse who has lived in a prison of their past and has done all they can just to survive.

What Thrive Is Not

Thrive is not a seminar with a speaker at the front.
Thrive is not group therapy run by an expert facilitator.
Thrive is not about “getting through the material.”
Thrive is not about performance or perfection.
Thrive is not about having all the answers.

Thrive is about the presence of God and the process of becoming like Jesus.

Section 1: The Heart Posture of a Thrive Leader

The most important qualification to lead Thrive is a surrendered heart, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and personal humility. Technique has its place, but it is always secondary to posture.

1. The Leader’s Primary Role

You are a host — not a hero.
You are not the solution — you are the space-holder.

Let the Spirit lead. Let the Spirit teach. Let the Spirit heal. Your role is to create space, invite conversation, hold safety, discern direction, and cultivate grace.

If you come across as someone who has life figured out, you will lose credibility. People don’t need a perfect teacher. They need a present, honest guide.

2. Facilitate — Don’t Dominate

Ask yourself: Am I talking more than I’m listening?
Know when to pause — silence is where the Holy Spirit works best.
If you're speaking more than 40% of the time, pull back.

3. Humility Over Performance

A Thrive leader:

Shares from vulnerability, not from a pedestal.
Speaks from experience, not expertise. There are no “experts” in the room.
Models process, not perfection.

Share your scars, not just your victories. Most of the Bible is written to people like us — the word "Israel" means “he who wrestles with God.”

4. The Purpose of Interruptions

Interruptions are often openings of the Spirit. What feels off-topic may be deeply on point in the heart. Even a “hi-jacker” might bring the group to a breakthrough moment if listened to with discernment.

“Let’s leave room for the Holy Spirit to move even in interruptions.”

Goal: The goal is not to get through notes. The goal is to facilitate a Spirit-led environment where people open up, process pain, and encounter Christ.

Section 2: Group Culture — Safe, Grace-Filled, Discerning

1. Progress Over Perfection

Most participants have tried things that didn’t work. They need space to fail safely and grow gently.

Remind them often:

“We are here for progress, not perfection.”
“We are here to grow, not perform.”
“You don’t need all the answers.”

2. “Just Because It Worked for You…”

Personal stories are helpful — but can unintentionally pressure others.

“Just because it worked for you doesn’t mean it will work for everybody.”

Everyone’s journey is unique. People are tapestries, not templates. We don’t know every trauma, stronghold, or influence they carry. Respect the complexity of their story.

3. Be prepared / Stay IN / Make the Peace

As a leader in THRIVE, you are opening yourself up for more than just dealing with the most wounded among us. You may feel as if you are under constant spiritual attack. It is impossible to cover all of the ways your enemy might come against you in a Leader's Guide. But it will surely come in the form of trying to manage the behavior of others. It is important to remember that you can not manage others. But you can be prepared. Expect attacks. Expect wounded people to lash out. Expect confrontation and prepare for it. Remember that setting boundaries is critical to your success as a leader as well. You are under no obligation to endure mistreatment or added stress due to the actions or behaviors of a few in your group. But it is likely inevitable.

What to do in the face of conflict

It's perfectly acceptable to Invite someone to seek help elsewhere.
Ask God to show you the way forward and show them a new group where they can find the help they need.
Setting boundaries will be dependent on the individual and the situation.
Thrive is not their answer. Your group is not their answer. Jesus is.
Thrive is based in the Holy Scripture. If someone has a problem with what you present, remember: they can take it up with God.

No one is required to attend your THRIVE group.
You don't owe anyone an explanation.
You can not make everyone happy -attempting to do so is people pleasing.
It's not about your numbers.
You are the shepherd. Remember the 99 when you go after the one who is lost. But if the one has a disease that will infect the whole herd... let it go. Jesus taught this: “If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell. Matthew 5:30

Section 3: Sobriety — Freedom First, Fruit Second

1. Our Definition of Sobriety

Sobriety in Thrive is not abstinence. It is:

Renewed thinking
Returning to God, not to a coping mechanism
A fruit of the Spirit, not a checklist of behaviors

Sobriety = Right Thinking
It is what happens when a heart abides in Jesus and begins to heal.

2. Recovery vs. Freedom

Many programs aim for behavioral sobriety. Thrive aims for spiritual freedom.

“We don’t want to help you find sobriety. We want to help you get free — so that sobriety finds you.”

Section 4: Co-Leadership — Two Are Better Than One

“Two are better than one… if either falls, one can help the other up.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

Wherever possible, Thrive groups should be co-led, ideally by a male and female, to reflect emotional and spiritual wholeness.

Co-Leaders Do Not Need To Be Married

But they should:

Be spiritually aligned
Be comfortable working together
Model healthy relational dynamics

Co-Leading Benefits

One leads while the other listens or watches for cues
Diverse perspectives
Shared emotional bandwidth
Engaging interruptions and questions

Model conversation over presentation. Share space. Share weight.

Section 5: Words Matter — Language That Heals

“The tongue has the power of life and death…” — Proverbs 18:21
“Let your speech be full of grace…” — Colossians 4:6

Words shape how people see themselves, their pain, and their God.

Thrive Vocabulary Principles

We use the word "discovery" instead of "recovery"
We say “substance abuse” — not “addict”
We talk about coping mechanisms — not just “sin patterns”
We validate past trauma over simply highlighting “bad decisions”

Identity vs. Action

Substance abuse or habitual sin is an action.
“Addict” is an identity.
Thrive separates the two.

Most who come to Thrive have chosen help. We believe that, by definition, that means they are not addicts in the cultural sense (someone who would do anything and give up everything for their substance or issue). They are people in pain seeking healing and change. They have recognized that their behavior and choices are not in line with God's commandments, His will and His plan and purpose for their lives.

Why This Matters

Labels can become strongholds
People resist “recovery” language because they reject the false identity it implies
People often believe they must embrace the label of "addict" in order to "recover."
Thrive removes that barrier — no false identities, no shame-based labels
We invite people into a shared journey of discovery.

Section 6: Cultivating a Culture of Prayer

“Devote yourselves to prayer...” — Colossians 4:2
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful…” — James 5:16

Why Prayer Requests Matter

Some who won’t share in discussion will open up during prayer time.

Ask:

“What do we need to ask God to do?”
“Is there anything we need to pray about?”

Prayer time becomes a doorway for:

Vulnerability
Participation
Testimony as we share how God has answered our previous prayer requests.

Best Practices

Always ask for requests — leave space for silence
Write them down — no request is too small to remember
Revisit them — show that prayer is working
Invite others to pray aloud — encourage group ownership and participation
Keep it real, not religious — pray conversationally
Remember: People will participate in what works. And prayer works.

Section 7: Setting Up the Room — Environment Matters

1. Circles Heal

“We learn in rows, but we heal in circles.”

Remove rows or tables
Sit in circles or concentric rings
Leaders sit in the circle — not apart or above

2. Snack Guidelines

Serve:

Water, coffee, tea
Crackers, fruit, vegetables

Avoid:

Sugary or processed snacks

We honor all struggles — including food-related.

3. Materials

Provide pens, clipboards, and handouts
Handouts should be:
- Numbered
- Clearly labeled
- Leave room for notes

4. Signs & Setup

Clear signage from parking to room
Welcome signage
Name tags
Warm, safe lighting
Optional scripture or worship visuals

5. Thrive Lending Library

Include books on:
- Addiction, anxiety, grief, identity, forgiveness, trauma
Use a sign-out system or QR codes
Books should be returned or replaced if written in — but always lead with grace

Section 8: Partnership with Host Church Leaders

1. Regular Meetings

Meet monthly or quarterly with host church staff to:

Align spiritually
Coordinate logistics
Receive pastoral input
Ensure integrity

2. Transparent Teaching

Always provide teaching notes to church leaders
No surprises in content
Honor the house you’re in

3. Shared Accountability

Thrive is not a rogue ministry
Thrive is a partnership
Church leaders should know:
- What is being taught
- Who is leading
- Why it matters

Section 9: Leader Guidelines — Weekly Practices

Spiritual Attitudes

Invite the Spirit each week
Pray silently during discussion
Don’t rush moments
Honor silence
Expect God to move

Facilitation Postures

Speak less — listen more
Ask instead of instruct
Celebrate risk and vulnerability
Redirect gently
Protect the circle

Group Culture Phrases

“Progress over perfection.”
“Scars are where the light gets in.”
“You are not your struggle.”
“Let’s leave room for the Spirit to speak.”

Section 10: Leader Core Values Checklist

Every Thrive leader should strive to embody:

Presence over perfection
Listening over lecturing
Discernment over control
Humility over performance
Grace over judgment
Safety over speed
Relationship over rhetoric
Heart posture over technique

If you return to this list each week, you will create space where healing can happen.

Conclusion: Thrive Is a Movement of the Spirit

Thrive is not a program.
Thrive is not content delivery.
Thrive is not behavior modification.

Thrive is about people encountering the Holy Spirit in a safe, sacred space.
Our job is not to fix — but to facilitate. Our goal is not performance — but presence. Our posture is not control — but surrender.

If your heart is right, but your structure blocks the Spirit — revise your structure.

Let the Spirit lead. Let Jesus heal. Let people Thrive.