Use well thought out questions to make a lasting impact.
by Dave Arch
"Do you not yet understand?" —Jesus (Matthew 8:21)
Whether in a public gathering, a confrontation with his enemies, or a private conversation with his closest friends, Jesus consistently used questions to produce change and growth. In the eighth chapter of the Book of Mark, he used eight types of questions.
1. Answering with Questions (Mark 8:5)
Rather than merely answering a question (and thereby ...
Learn how to get everyone in a small group participating.
by Life Together
When it comes to getting everyone to participate in your small group, it's important that you—their leader—know your level of openness is the primary factor in setting the tone for the group's involvement and openness.
Along with that, here are 5 ways to get your small group members to participate in group life:
1. When you ask the first question, you should answer it first. When you're done, ...
I was one of the few Christians in my fraternity at the University of Michigan. I hit on the idea of leading a Bible study as a way of sharing my faith with the guys in the house. I announced this would be a free and open discussion concerning God and life, kicked off each week by a passage from the Bible. Privately, I was committed to using the time as a way of convincing them to believe the gospel. ...
Give group members a chance to role play different emotions.
by Tami Rudkin
Write the following words on sticky name tags, or on paper plates strung with string that can be worn around the neck.
Frustrated
Angry
Ecstatic
Eager
Depressed
Stupid
Content
Sad
Anxious
Insecure
When people arrive, have them randomly choose one of the words and wear it. Once everyone has been given a word, explain that you want each person to pretend that they are feeling the way their card indicates. Ask ...
What color best describes your group members today?
by Tami Rudkin
Bring a box of colored pencils to the small-group meeting. Pass around the box and ask everyone to pick one colored pencil that best describes their mood today. Then give everyone an opportunity to explain why they chose that color.
Find out how each group member is feeling this week.
by Tami Rudkin
Write the following words on an index card, one per card. Then ask each group member to pick the word that most closely describes how they have been feeling this week.
Mischievous
Disgusted
Confident
Anxious
Depressed
Ecstatic
Confused
Exhausted
Overwhelmed
Invite group members to explain their current attitudes, if they want.
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