How to Start a Facebook Group Video Chat for Your Small Group

As we continue good social distancing practices during the COVID-19 outbreak, we are learning how valuable tools like Facebook Group Video Chat can be for continuing to reach and engage our people at Grace Church. We know this may be new territory for some of you, so we’ve put together this handy guide to help make your journey into leading Small Groups in this medium easier!

There are two guides on this page: the first (and recommended) method is only for desktop or laptop computers with built-in microphones and webcams, and the second is for your mobile devices like phones and tablets.

Regardless of the method you choose, the first step is to ensure you have a stable WiFi internet connection!

Method 1: Desktop/Laptop

Step 1

Navigate to facebook.com and click the Messenger button.

Step 2

Next, click “New Group.”

 

Step 3

Give your Small Group a name.

Step 4

Start typing the name of someone you’d like to include in the Small Group (1) and select that person in the list (2). Repeat this process for each person in the Small Group and then click the “Create” button (3).

 

Step 5

Click the small Video icon in the Messenger window that pops up.

Step 6

Finally, in the new window that pops up select the people in the Small Group you’d like to call from the list (1) and click the “Call” button in the upper right corner (2).

Method 2: Mobile Phones & Tablets

Step 1

If you haven’t already, download the Facebook Messenger app and then open it.

Step 2

Tap the “New Message” button in the upper-right corner.

Step 3

Type the name of a Small Group member in the text box (1) then select them in the list below (2). Repeat this process for each member of the Small Group and then tap “Done” (3).

Step 4

Tap the names in the upper-middle of the screen.

 

Step 5

Tap “Edit.”

Step 6

Then tap “Change Chat Name.”

Step 7

Next, give the Small Group a name in the text box (1), tap “OK” (2), and then tap the back arrow (3).

Step 8

Finally, you’re ready to start the call by tapping the video icon in the upper-right corner!