How to Start a Huddle

You Don’t Have to Be an Expert. You Just Have to Start.

A Huddle is a small group of people intentionally gathering to build relationships, grow together, and encourage one another to take their next step in being a DAD.

Starting one doesn’t require a perfect leader, a complicated program, or a large crowd. It starts with someone willing to invite a few people and create a consistent place for meaningful conversation.

Here’s how to get started.

1. Know Your Why

Before you invite anyone, get clear about why you want to start a Huddle.

A successful Huddle is more than another meeting on the calendar. It should be a place where people can connect, have honest conversations, encourage one another, and grow together.

You don't need to have every detail figured out before you begin. But you should be able to answer one simple question:

“Why should someone be part of this Huddle?”

Keep your answer simple and personal. That clarity will make inviting others much easier.

2. Start With People You Already Know

You don't need a crowd.

Think about a few people already in your world—friends, coworkers, neighbors, church members, other dads, or people you regularly interact with.

Start with 2–5 people you believe would benefit from being part of the Huddle.

Then make a personal invitation.

Instead of simply saying, “I'm starting a small group,” explain why you're doing it and why you thought of them.

Something as simple as:

“I'm starting a Huddle where a few of us can get together, talk about life, encourage each other, and grow together. I thought you'd be a great part of it.”

Personal invitations are almost always more effective than general announcements.

3. Pick a Simple Meeting Rhythm

Consistency matters more than frequency.

Decide when and where your Huddle will meet. Depending on your group, that could be:

• Weekly
• Every other week
• Twice a month
• Monthly

Choose a rhythm your group can realistically maintain.

Your Huddle can meet almost anywhere—a home, church, coffee shop, restaurant, workplace, or another comfortable location.

Don't overcomplicate the environment. You need a place where people can comfortably talk and hear one another.

The best meeting schedule isn't the most ambitious one. It's the one your group will actually keep.

4. Set the Tone at Your First Huddle

Your first meeting establishes the culture.

Don't feel pressure to teach an incredible lesson or impress everyone. Focus on helping people get comfortable with one another.

Take time to explain why the Huddle exists and what you hope everyone will experience.

Encourage a few simple expectations:

Be real. Nobody has everything figured out.

Be respectful. People need to know they can talk without being judged.

Be confidential. What's shared personally in the Huddle should stay in the Huddle.

Participate. Everyone has something valuable to contribute.

Encourage one another. The goal isn't to fix everyone. It's to walk alongside each other.

People will usually follow the example of the leader. If you're genuine, welcoming, and willing to participate honestly, you'll give everyone else permission to do the same.

5. Don't Feel Like You Have to Teach

One of the biggest mistakes new small-group leaders make is believing they need to become a teacher.

You don't.

Your job is to facilitate conversation, not deliver a sermon.

Good Huddle leaders learn to ask good questions and then give people room to answer.

Try questions like:

“What stood out to you?”

“Why do you think that matters?”

“Where do you see this showing up in your life?”

“What's one thing you could do differently this week?”

Then listen.

Sometimes the best thing a Huddle leader can do is resist the temptation to fill every moment of silence.

6. Use the Huddle Curriculum

You don't have to create something new for every meeting.

We've developed curriculum to help you lead meaningful conversations and keep your Huddle moving forward.

Visit the link below to access and download Huddle curriculum and resources.

[DOWNLOAD HUDDLE CURRICULUM]

The curriculum gives you a starting point, but remember: the curriculum serves the Huddle—the Huddle doesn't serve the curriculum.

If an important conversation develops, don't be afraid to slow down and let it happen.

Relationships are more important than finishing every question.

7. Keep Your Meetings Simple

A Huddle doesn't need a complicated agenda.

A simple meeting might look like this:

CONNECT
Spend some time catching up. Ask how everyone is doing and what's happening in their lives.

DISCUSS
Work through the Huddle curriculum and allow everyone to participate in the conversation.

APPLY
Ask what everyone is taking away from the discussion and how they can put it into practice.

ENCOURAGE
Share needs, celebrate wins, pray together when appropriate, and encourage each other before leaving.

That's enough.

Don't measure the success of your Huddle by how much material you covered. Measure it by whether people are connecting, growing, and becoming more intentional in their lives.

8. Follow Up Between Meetings

Healthy Huddles aren't built only during Huddle meetings.

Send a text.

Check on someone who shared something difficult.

Celebrate someone's win.

Share something that reminded you of your conversation.

Those small interactions communicate something powerful:

“You're not just someone who attends my group. You matter to me.”

That's where real community begins.

9. Expect Your Huddle to Grow Over Time

Your first meeting might feel awkward.

Someone might cancel.

You might ask a question and get complete silence.

That's normal.

Don't judge the future of your Huddle by the first couple of meetings.

Give people time to develop trust. Keep showing up. Keep inviting. Keep encouraging conversation.

Consistency creates trust, and trust creates community.

Over time, you may also discover someone in your Huddle who could lead a Huddle of their own. Encourage them. Give them opportunities to help facilitate. Healthy Huddles don't just gather people—they develop people.

Ready to Start?

You don't need a perfect plan.

You need a few people, a place to meet, a consistent rhythm, and a willingness to lead.

Think about the people in your life who could benefit from having a place to connect, grow, and be encouraged.

Invite them.

Pick a date.

Start your Huddle.

You never know what God might do through one simple invitation.

Huddle Leader Quick Start

1. Identify 2–5 people to invite.
Start with people already in your circle.

2. Personally invite them.
Tell them why you're starting the Huddle.

3. Choose your meeting rhythm.
Pick a schedule you can consistently maintain.

4. Choose a comfortable location.
Keep it simple and conversation-friendly.

5. Download your curriculum.
Use the resources provided to guide your discussion.

6. Set the culture.
Create an environment of honesty, confidentiality, participation, and encouragement.

7. Start meeting.
Don't wait until everything is perfect.

Your Huddle doesn't have to start big. It just has to start.