Biblical community looks more like a football huddle than a board meeting – more like brothers-in-arms than a tea party – more like “Eye of the Tiger” than “Kumbaya.”
How to Develop Genuine Community
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…
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,…
Better Than Yourselves
“This is especially critical if you serve in any kind of ministry role. “ Some people are easy to love. Some people are not. What does “love your neighbor as yourself” really mean? Is it more of a metaphorical or figurative mindset? Or does it really mean that we are to demonstrate love to everyone we come across… waiting in the check-out line, sitting in church, driving down the road, at the family reunion, in the break-room at work? I believe Jesus called us to really love people. All people. Openly. Actively. Genuinely. Not just those who you…
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…
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 Navigate Discussion (2)
“You want the passengers to enjoy the journey; but you also need to keep hijackers out of the cockpit.” As a Small Group leader, you are like a pilot navigating your passengers to a specific landing place. You want the passengers to enjoy the journey; but you also need to keep hijackers out of the cockpit. Every Small Group is filled with a variety of different types of people. What happens when one or two group members dominate the conversation or derail the discussion? The rest of the group is likely going to check out – and over time, they…
Consider Their Lives
“As a leader in your church, what you do week after week matters – both now and in eternity.” Fake Smiles are Easy Take a minute to consider the lives of the people in your church. Each week, you see their faces: smiling, talking, listening, serving, studying, and discussing. But think of the reality of their lives. There may be a man… His job is stressful. He works with other guys who constantly try to get him to hit the bars after work or when they are out of town. They send him emails with off-color jokes and pictures.…
3 Reasons You Need to Watch the Clock
“Keeping watch on the clock is a good habit that helps build consistency and trust within the group.” During your Small Group gathering each week, keep these three time-management tips in mind: 1. Starting It is rare when everyone in the group arrives on time, but starting on time (regardless of the latecomers) is important for several reasons. It sets a consistent precedence. (If you often start 5-10 minutes late, it will likely just become part of people’s schedules and expectations.) Starting on time shows respect to those who arrived on time. Also, it allows you to stick with your…
We Need Each Other
[su_quote]No, I’m not talking about little social clubs or touchy-feely support groups.[/su_quote] Following Jesus is a lifelong journey. If you are following Jesus, you have likely already discovered that staying on course doesn’t just happen naturally. Every moment there are dozens of things working against our best efforts to stay on the path – some come from the outside and some come from within. Either way, it is no wonder God tells us over and over that we need each other on this journey. The need goes way beyond a church service. Corporate worship and preaching are vital; but…