Truly loving people in the midst of persistent sin is easier said than done.
by Life Together
When Allen first met Steve, they were in high school gym together. Steve was quiet and insecure, with few friends. Then Allen began to include Steve in his social life. At first their mutual love for partying drew them together. But as Allen started to grow spiritually, he lost interest in drinking and wild parties. In college, they drifted apart.
When Allen reconnected with Steve after college, Steve's ...
I often feel like I'm running in circles. With four daughters, I literally drive circles around our city - either dropping someone off, picking someone up, returning a video, or running to the grocery store. My odometer clicks away the miles as I pass the same familiar landmarks several times in a single day. I also live in several distinct circles. I have my circle of family members, my circle of ...
Outreach opportunities seem to abound at Christmastime. Realistically, the opportunities are always there, but there is something about the Season that makes it easier to outwardly express our gratitude for God's gift to us — His one and only Son, Jesus. It is during this season that we often decide to provide Christmas presents and/or food for a single mom and her children, or deliver presents ...
You are leading your Bible study one evening when a member suddenly starts crying—what do you do?
Michael C. Mack
You are leading your Bible study one evening when a member suddenly starts crying, apparently for no reason. what do you do?
First, turn your attention from your set agenda and focus on the needs of the member who is crying. It is very important to recognize the person's feelings. To ignore the crying in favor of "getting through the Bible study" or to try to dismiss it quickly tells this person who ...
Advice on how to comfort a couple that has suffered a miscarriage, and what not to do.
Keith Wright
Last year we tragically lost a child to miscarriage. Being a visible pastoral couple, our private tragedy became public. Some people responded to our pain positively; others were not so tactful. Our small group ministered to us in incredible ways. We share our experience to help you comfort—in a grace-filled and restorative way—a friend or family member who has lost a baby.
This Bible Study Course can help you get renewing, biblical perspectives on caring for an aging or ill loved one.
Providing care for the elderly or disabled can be a lonely, all-consuming job. This three-session course will explore how we can honor our parents by showing them care, how caregiving can be a way to express God's love, and how to find joy in our caregiving responsibilities. We hope this study will give hope and encouragement to those who serve God in this way.
Assess how your church is following the original purpose of the church.
The following 4-week course will help you and your group assess how your church is following the original purpose of the church by asking questions like: Why is it that we seem to feel deeply about, and remember, the hurts associated with church? How can we help people who have been hurt by a church? Are you, as church members, pleased with your church's ministries, or are you unsatisfied with the ...
Move from being a small-group leader to truly caring for your people.
by Michael Mack
God's Word is rich in its discussion about shepherding. Moses, David, and Amos served as shepherds, and all were influenced by that role in their leadership. The title of shepherd is applied to God, Jesus, kings and other leaders, local church leaders, and ministers (not necessarily paid staff members).
What is a small group shepherd?
For you to fully understand your calling as your group's shepherd, ...
A small group's one-time mission project turns into a ministry.
by Life Together
When challenged to invest $100 in a mission project, I suggested to our small group that we partner with an inner-city church and host a neighborhood cookout where we would distribute clothes and Bibles.
Everyone agreed and chipped in a few extra dollars. Toys, clothes, and Bibles were donated. A few days before the event, we posted flyers in the neighborhood, unsure of what to expect.
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