Let this simple tool bless you with more time for the things that matter most.
by Erin Brownback
Do you need completely effortless cooking ideas for your small group of guys who are tired of eating pizza, or for that couples Bible study that meets an hour after you get home from work? Consider crock pot cooking.
A crock pot is a countertop electrical appliance that makes one-pot meals. Because this low temperature slow cooker takes hours to make a meal and requires no supervision, you can dump ...
Launch new groups using these creative projects and activities.
by Erin Brownback
People bond over projects. Doing something with our hands loosens our mouths to talk about things we wouldn't say to someone who was looking us in the eye. Some people do it while working on cars. Some people do it while washing dishes. Even going for a walk side-by-side makes talking about our deep places a lot easier than a face-to-face conversation with no buffer of activity.
A practical form for collecting and organizing group members' basic information
by Erin Brownback
One reason for meeting in small groups is so that group members can really get to know one another on a deeper level. This is a subtle process that takes time, but it can start with a straightforward understanding of the basics. Below is an Information Sheet that you can copy and use to find out a little more about each person in your group.
Do you have a system for celebrating your group members every year?
by Erin Brownback
Too often birthdays are just one more item to squeeze into our already overflowing bag of to-dos and things to remember. I have several friends who make a vow each year to get better at celebrating others, but unless we have a plan our intentions will fall by the wayside as the year goes on. So here are a few simple tactics to help you communicate love and importance to the members of your small group—at ...
Each person divides reviews their lives in quarters.
by Tami Rudkin
Have group members take the number of years they have lived and divide that number by 4. For example, if a person is 44 years old, he or she would divide that number by 4 to get 11.
Once everyone in the group has their number, pass out pens and paper and have each person chart out his or her life in 4 sections, with each section corresponding to the increment he or she came up with.
A creative way to find out how group members are feeling
by Tami Rudkin
Pass out the following pairs of words to the group, and ask each person to circle the one that they most identify with today. After everyone is finished writing, go down the list of paired words and allow group members to give their answers—and explain why they choose them—if they wish.
Group member share three rules that they never break.
by Tami Rudkin
Ask each person in your group to think about three rules that they absolutely live by and refuse to break for anyone, anytime. After a few minutes, ask them to share their rules. Ask: Was it difficult to come up with your three rules to live by? Was it easy? Why?
Group members receive a tangible expression of thanks from the rest of the group.
by Tami Rudkin
Give each person a piece of paper and have them write their first names in big letters at the top of the page. Then, have them pass the paper to the person on their right. Ask group members to write a word of thanks to the person whose name is on the paper. For example: "Jen, thank you for always being here on time," or, "Jason, thank you for praying for me on a regular basis."
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