A fun way to learn about the musical tastes of your group members
by Tami Rudkin
Bring 6-10 different songs with you to the group gathering (make sure they are fairly popular songs). If possible, burn all of these songs together onto one CD.
Once the group is ready, start the first song and let it play for about 5 seconds. See if anyone can guess the title of the song. If nobody gets it at first, play the song again and let it run for 10 seconds. Repeat this activity for the rest ...
Here are five tips to help re-educate your church and group members.
Paul Anderson
Trying to convince computer-age people to practice spiritual disciplines—such as regular prayer, Bible study, and giving—is like trying to sell hair restorer to a bald man. He might accept that he needs the stuff, but he's not convinced your product can deliver. In response to an article I'd written on fasting, a lady wrote, "You don't really believe we're supposed to do that in the twentieth ...
Help your group determine the difference between the two.
Tami Rudkin
Give each person an index card or scrap of paper. Have them write "important" on one side of the card and "urgent" on the other side. Give them about three minutes to list as many things as possible for each category. This may lead to some discussion about the difference between the two words. That is good. Use this simple definition if you would like (or have them define the words for themselves): ...
Spend some time showing the group's favorite movie clips.
Tami Rudkin
A week ahead of time, ask each member of the group to bring one of his or her favorite video clips. Clarify some ground rules: the maximum length will be 3 minutes long (alter depending on the size of your group), the clip must be G-rated, the individual must be ready to explain why he loves this clip. The night you show the clips, serve popcorn, drinks, and lots of good fun. Although this barrier ...
Use newspaper headlines to spark a group discussion.
Tami Rudkin
Take several "front pages" of your local daily newspaper or national papers. Hand a copy to each person in your group. Ask each member to tell the group which of the headlines bothers them and which ones they would typically ignore.
Movie clips can bring an extra sense of humanity to your small-group discussions.
Sue Skalicky
I have a disease.
Thankfully it is treatable.
I became aware of my ill health while watching 'Patch Adams.' Towards the end of the movie, Robin Williams, as Patch Adams, fervently defends his actions as a medical student - actions that could have him thrown out of medical school. He was faulted for feeling, ridiculed for reaching out, and penalized for his passion. The medical board listened cautiously ...
Take a cue from advertisers during your next group discussion.
Sue Skalicky
I recently attended a national convention of high school journalists where I picked up a white rubber bracelet imprinted with "LIVE FREE". These words are meant to be a reminder that Americans have been given the right to freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly. For me, they have more intense meaning as I strive to live a life of gratitude for Jesus' sacrifice on the cross - a sacrifice that ...
Get your group members thinking about the paradigms inherent in the lesson you are studying.
Sue Skalicky
I teach sophomore English. Most students come to me with a preconceived idea of what English class is like. For some, it is interesting. For most, it is boring. After ten years of English classes, these kids have formed an opinion that includes me, even before they have witnessed me teach. This year, I decided to challenge their opinion. On the first day of school, I gave each student a 4 X 6 index ...
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