Two Distinct Atmospheres Just a short drive from my office, there are two great places to get a cup of coffee: Starbucks and Dunkin Doughnuts. I enjoy the coffee at both places. But there are definitely some distinct differences between the two places – especially when it comes to choosing a place to talk. At Dunkin Doughnuts, you will likely see more people in line than you will see seated in the chairs and tables found at a typical fast-food restaurant. But at Starbucks, there may be plenty of people in line, but there are often many more gathered at the tables for…
Discovery: An Incredibly Powerful Small Group Tool
When a person discovers truth on their own, they are more likely to value and embrace it.
10 Practical Tips to Make Every Small Group Gathering Matter
“There is great joy leading others as you follow Jesus together, and you also bear the responsibility to lead others well. “ Here are 10 practical tips for Small Group leaders (in no particular order.) #1 Make preparation a priority. Remember two important things about leading a Small Group: There is great joy leading others as you follow Jesus together, and you also bear the responsibility to lead others well. With these in mind, get in the habit of setting aside enough time every week to be fully prepared. #2 Be ready. Before your guests arrive, have your lesson finished,…
Sharing the Load
“Delegation is part of Discipleship.” Just Do It Yourself Let’s face it, when it comes to simple Small Group related tasks, it’s often easier to just do it yourself. But just because it’s easier doesn’t mean it’s best. Delegation is part of Discipleship. What happens when you delegate By delegating you can help others experience what it means to lead. You begin to develop other potential leaders. Sometimes another individual can accomplish a particular task better than you. You can focus more intently on preparing the discussion. You are not distracted with the details as people arrive. You…
The Spiritual Chef
“Go the extra mile to serve a memorable learning experience that will engage the participants and help them to retain what they have learned.” “Boredom is God’s way of telling us that we are wasting time.” ― Unknown The Bible is, hands down, the most important words ever written. It is God’s own words – so, those who spend their time teaching it to others should never allow it to be boring. Add some flavor Think of it this way: If you like to cook, you probably know the importance of adding the right mix of spices to a…
Changing Gears for the Summer
“By changing gears during the summer the Small Group leaders, as well as group participants, get a chance to catch their breath as well as enjoy some different aspects of Small Group life.” Who doesn’t love Summer?!? Odds are, the people in your Small Group love summertime (who doesn’t???). But for you as the Small Group leader, summer can often be a difficult time to maintain momentum and consistency within the group. So what should you do…? Cancel? Get frustrated by low attendance? Press on? Give up and move to the beach for the summer? Rather than trying…
How To Write Thought Provoking Questions
Some questions are part of the journey, other questions are part of the excavation of life-changing truth. Powerful Tools Questions are one of a Small Group Leader’s most powerful tools. By thoughtfully guiding your group with a series of questions, you can help them discover the truth in God’s Word – and give them the excitement and satisfaction of finding it on their own. You will likely develop several types of questions for each study; but not every question requires the same amount of attention. Some questions help to casually open up discussion, other questions help to establish a…
A Simple Guide to Using Your Study Bible
8 Simple Places to Explore A study Bible is a wealth of information at your fingertips, but it can often seem overwhelming. Here are eight easy places to explore in order to get the most out of it. Which Study Bible should you choose? There are several recommendations at the bottom of this article. 1. Study Notes Look at any page of your study Bible. Usually, in the margins or the at bottom of the page you will find notes that help further explain the meaning of the verse(s). These notes help the reader understand the wording, meaning, background, or other…
How to Navigate Discussion
“If you are not careful to keep your hands on the controls, there are several in your group who are ready and willing to chart a new course.” Every Small Group is filled with a variety different types of people. Even people with much in common usually have wildly different characteristics – especially when it comes to group discussion. Your goal as a Small Group leader is to bring everyone into the conversation. Like a pilot of an airplane, you have a destination in mind. If you are not careful to keep your hands on the controls, there are several…
The Landing: An Example
“People are more likely to remember and act on one substantial item each week.” (This article is an example for the concept described here: The Landing) How do you develop your lesson plan and discussion questions to reach a specific concept, point of interest, or action item by the end of the discussion? Many rich concepts Let’s say you are studying through the book of Ephesians. This week you plan to cover Ephesians 2:1–10. There are many rich concepts in these ten verses. For instance, here are some of them… Everyone was once dead and held captive by…