Thanks so much for being willing to host a watch party!
A Grace Watch Party is a simple gathering of people intending to connect around Grace Snellville’s Sunday worship. Some Watch Parties may watch it together, while others may choose to gather after viewing and discuss at that time.
In this document are some helpful tips on how to have an amazing Watch Party. We encourage you to look at the people and families who will be coming and make decisions that best fit your context. Remember, the primary goal is not to “get through” content but to make space for relationship, connection, and spiritual substance. If you can have one meaningful conversation or exchange that is rooted, renegade, or real–that’s a win! Of course, God may do much more than that, but we remember that God is the Lord of the harvest (Matt. 9:35-38), and we’re simply laborers going out into the fields with faith (and maybe some tasty food).
Have fun, be creative, and most importantly provide spaces to connect!
View the helpful tips below, or download here (pdf).
Food is a major connector in helping people feel welcomed and comfortable. We encourage you to include food at your watch parties. Try simple things for food. For breakfast – buy donuts, cook pancakes or muffins, make a fruit bowl, bring a breakfast casserole. For lunch or dinner consider everyone bringing their own meals or order pizza, or cook out and have everyone bring a side. Obviously, some people may be very concerned about coronavirus around meal-sharing. Be gracious, and have an open conversation about everyone’s comfort level!
Here are some additional recommendations:
You may choose to watch it while you are gathered with your Watch Party, while some Watch Parties may choose to watch the livecast in individual homes first and then get together for meals/conversation/prayer afterwards in driveways/backyards/homes.
The transition from casual interaction to intentional conversation rarely happens accidentally in a group. Almost always, a leader must facilitate by gathering the group’s attention, setting a few simple guidelines, and then prompting discussion with the group.
Say something like, “Ok everyone, let’s talk about life and God for the next _____ minutes”
Then, if people in your group are not used to creating safe space for sharing, explain a few simple guidelines:
A couple of possible questions to generate prayer requests
A couple of questions to guide that time:
Recommendations for Communion:
Find a way to serve your neighborhood, or relational networks. Ideas:
If you have kids in the mix look for ways to keep them engaged and connected. It may be that the entire focus of the gathering time is devoted to investing in the kids, or some groups may choose to do a little focused time with the kids (10-15 minutes) and then let them play or be in a separate space while the students and adults discuss the sermon content.
If you have students, include them with the Adult conversations. Our Grace Student staff will also be working on ways for your middle schoolers and high schoolers to connect meaningfully with each other through the summer.
Some groups may have someone who can sing or play an instrument (or both!) Feel free to be creative about how that happens. Music can be especially helpful in connecting with the kids.
Think about how to make lyrics accessible since most people don’t have the words of songs memorized. You can find lyrics online very easily, and then you can potentially share them with others in your group on a group email or text thread so that they can have them o their phone.
We imagine some Watch Parties might prefer to substitute their own community live worship for some or all of the Grace Snellville worship time. That is entirely ok!
Let us know what worked and what didn’t (report out form). Your feedback is extremely valuable! If you have any questions reach out to We are here to help.
Social media is a fantastic way to share your watch party experiences, connect with and encourage others. So, with permission of those in your group, share your photos, videos and comments using #gracetogether.