The New Year is a prime time for churches to launch 40 Days of Purpose campaigns. And, of course, small groups play a key role in this. Much could be said from the trenches of these campaigns, but after listening to some of the most successful small group champions, we've boiled down their wisdom to five thoughts on what really works.
1. Do it again! "40 Days of Purpose is and was one of the most successful ...
Take the time to make a wise choice in what your group will study.
by Michael Mack
One question often heard in small groups is, "What are we going to study next?" Rather than sailing toward a destination, many small groups are like a sailboat at sea being "tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching" (Eph. 4:14). As you lead your group, these questions provide you with five principles for selecting the next study for your group:
The folks at Liquid have hit a homerun with their first mock-umentary.
Sam O'Neal
Being on the Leadership team here at Christianity Today International, I hear a lot of complaining from pastors when it comes to preaching about money. And I'm sure they have a legitimate point. I wouldn't enjoy telling hundreds of people that God has commanded them to give money to the institution that pays my salary.
But when it comes to the awkwardness surrounding stewardship issues, I think preachers ...
Why film-based curriculum should be the next big thing.
Jeff Pries
As a small-group leader, do you ever feel like you have too much time on your hands? If you're like me, the answer is "definitely not." If anything, we leaders are running too hard and trying to do too much. That's why none of us can afford to have an uneventful group experience—a gathering we look back on and say, "Well, that didn't matter."
At Mariners Church, where I serve as a small-groups ...
There are common issues that happen in nearly every group, but there are ways to avoid them.
Jon Weiner
If there is one thing that is true about small groups, it is that there are some common issues that happen in almost every group. These can be relatively small in scope, or they can become group destroyers. However, all of them can be avoided with just a bit of planning.
I usually ask new leaders what they fear the most about starting a small group. Invariably, they tell me that they fear hosting a group that experiences poor attendance. In other words, what happens if people do not show up? Even worse, what happens if they come the first time and then do not come back? Usually this fear is not justified. Many new leaders simply lack the confidence that God will use them in a great way! However, there are also a few things a leader can do to build consistent attendance for group life.
First, always meet in the same place and at the same time. This is vital for the first three months of group life. The reason is simple: group members need to get in the habit of meeting. Putting best intentions aside, people are very busy and many lead overloaded lives. Having a consistent time and place will help them incorporate small group into their routine. I give the illustration of a couple coming home from work. They rush to get the kids started on homework, and dinner is not ready. Then, they remember that group is meeting. The problem is that they have forgotten where the meeting is, or they have lost the map. At that moment, it is far too easy to simply say, "Let's blow it off tonight." You limit excuses with meeting consistently at the same time and place.
Secondly, leaders should communicate between the meetings to encourage community development and foster growth towards strong relationships. It has been said that more happens between group meetings than at the meeting itself. The more you communicate, either by voice or electronically, the stronger your group commitment will be. Also, encourage members to get together socially beyond the meeting date. This usually takes time to develop, but you must champion the idea if you ever want it to become normal in your group.
If you plan your meeting using carefully thought-out questions, you’ll be on your way to leading a study that changes lives.
Pat J. Sikora
How often have you sat through a Bible study where an unskilled leader asks questions that are downright boring? The evening seems to drone on and on, going nowhere. People yawn and start side conversations. They leave wondering why they devoted three hours to that. Whether you use a published study guide or write your own, the key to an invigorating Bible study is the ability to ask good questions. ...
Three small group veterans share their favorite questions and question-asking strategies.
Tami Rudkin, Sue Skalicky, and Linda Spencer
Three small group veterans have submitted their favorite questions and question-asking strategies. Maybe they will become your favorites too!
The Six Best Bible Study Questions Ever! By Tami Rudkin
The art of asking good questions is perhaps one of the most useful skills of an effective small group leader. At the same time, it is this one task that every small group leader labors over.
If you're wondering where to lead your group next, find out what they're hungry for.
Len Woods
You've got a small group that's ready to do something new and different. "We want something interesting, fun, life-changing!" (No pressure there, right?) Church leaders give you the green light to embark on a new study (pending their approval, of course). Do you:
Instinctively reach for that hot new book or study guide that you've been dying to dig into?
Go to the Christian bookstore and stare dumbfounded at the myriad of options available?
One way to relieve tension and provide quality control is to give the Small-Group Leader a well-designed lesson based on the pastor’s sermon.
Joel Comiskey
North Americans are extremely busy. Recent studies indicate that Americans work the longest hours in the industrialized world. Between 1977 and 1997, the average workweek among salaried Americans lengthened from 43 to 47 hours. Over the same years, the number of workers putting in 50 or more hours a week jumped from 24 to 37 percent. The majority of small group leaders face the same hectic work weeks ...
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