“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.…
Actions and Consequences
“Eventually, you will lose your game of Russian Roulette.” It seems that nearly every week another prominent individual is fired from their position because of something done in secret. Although their positions, stories, and circumstances vary, they share three very important similarities. They did something in private hoping it would never be discovered. They did something that was critically in conflict with what was acceptable in their position. Their actions brought dishonor upon themselves, and the organizations they represented. If you are in any kind of leadership position, these moments should be a wakeup call. Actions have consequences. Any…
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…
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…
The Landing
“Your group won’t remember everything from the discussion each week. If they only remember one thing, what should it be?” They won’t remember Try all you like, but your group won’t remember everything you discuss together each week. But that’s not something to lose sleep over – instead, leverage it for a positive outcome. Determine the landing Imagine you are the pilot of a plane taking the passengers to a specific destination each week. What is that destination? Where do you plan to “land the plane”? Although you may cover plenty of distance with your group during a particular…
When Everything and Everyone Else Seems More Appealing
“…there will always be someone who has it easier, makes it further, has more opportunity, and achieves more success.” “Quit looking around at everyone else.” These were some harsh words Peter had to hear. For just a moment, he compared his assignment with someone else’s. Jesus quickly called him out: “What is that to you? As for you, follow me.1” Let’s face it, if you look around for just a moment, there will always be someone who has it easier, makes it further, has more opportunity, and achieves more success. When you take your eyes off of the task…
Don’t Lose Heart
“Remember the anticipation and reckless abandon when you first stepped up to serve in the church?” To Anyone Who Serves Remember the anticipation and reckless abandon when you first stepped up to serve in the church? Whether it was a volunteer or full-time role, the feeling can be exhilarating. There is an unmistakable joy finding your specific role in the Body of Christ. Fast forward a few years… if you are not careful, that joy can be drained and battered. Busyness erodes the joy. Criticism begins to stick. The spiritual battles leave their scars. Maintaining that first joy and…
Avoid cancelling your Small Group.
“My kids have a thing tonight. We won’t be there.” 60 minutes before your small group is about to begin, the texts start rolling in… “I’m having a crazy week. Not going to make it tonight.” “My kids have a thing tonight. We won’t be there.” “I’ve got a headache. Gonna stay home.” As a Small Group leader, it can be especially frustrating to receive these texts on days when you’ve had a crazy week, or your kids have things, or you have a headache. The easiest thing to do is to just cancel your small group meeting this week;…