Small group health depends on preparing for success.
by Brett Eastman
When I first joined the staff at Saddleback Church. Rick told me he reserved seats for over 800 men on 7 different 747s headed to Washington, DC for Promise Keepers. I suggested we recruit leaders from some of the existing men's groups to launch a few more men's groups from the 800+ men going to the event. Over 300 men said they wanted to join a group, and half dozen men agreed to lead them.
Get tips on how to lead an effective small group even if you don't think you're ready.
by Brett Eastman
Some of you have been leading groups for six years—hosting is old hat for you. Some of you have been doing it for six months and may be looking to become a better host. And some of you just completed your first six-week study and, frankly, are still recovering from the experience.
Some of you may have stories like mine: John, who was a leader of a college group I was in for six weeks, tapped me ...
Small group members can provide valuable insight when assessing an individual's spiritual gifts.
Robert Damon
Small group gatherings highlight multiple aspects of the spiritual community, and none more so than the unique gifts given by God to individual people for specialized roles and responsibilities. Spiritual gifts are more deeply discovered, enjoyed, and shared in the environment of close relationships — perfect for the small group.
Rare is the gathering of people who share the exact same mix of ...
I believe that small groups are the best place to practice spiritual gifts.
Joel Comiskey
"Joel, you're placing too much emphasis on small groups," the board member insisted. "I believe we should focus on developing more ministries in our church—like a social action program—so that people can truly exercise their spiritual gifts."
"But in the small groups they'll have a chance to exercise their gifts," I countered. "Those with the gift of mercy will have the opportunity to ...
Return vitality to small groups through “open” discussions.
M. Lynn Reddick, Ph.D.
The church is arousing from centuries of sleepy irrelevance, secret abuse, and cleric arrogance. A new recovery group of disciples is awakening—dressed in humility, marching in unity, and wielding weapons of spiritual power against a pervasive kingdom of darkness.
These pilgrims are recovering what James Rutz calls the three freedoms that empowered early believers as they met in open meetings. ...
By viewing the church as a living organism, you can impact the world for Christ.
Michael C. Mack
I have a confession. I like Mike. I like Mike so much that I named my first son after him—well, kind of. His name is Jordan Michael. I like Mike so much that I was selected as the biggest Michael Jordan fan in Anderson, Indiana, in 1993, the year of M.J.'s first retirement.
I like Michael Jordan for a reason: I like basketball, and he is the greatest basketball player of all time. Yet his first ...
How can we develop a passionate love for God? These Old Testament books unveil a wealth of information.
How can we develop a passionate love for God? The Books of 1 & 2 Chronicles may seem like an unlikely place for the answer, but a close look at these two books unveils a wealth of information that can change our lives. This six-session course looks at how we can live up to our potential, experience God's presence, learn to listen to and talk to God, and help the children of today be the leaders of ...
This seven-session course will remind us of how to live the basic Christian life.
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he knew they needed to be instructed in the basics. Today, we also need to be taught the basics of the Christian life. This seven-session course from 1 Corinthians will remind us why we go to church, how to use our bodies to honor God, how to find unity in diversity, how to love, serve, and worship together, and how to face death.
I grew up with a single mom, two sisters, a girl cousin, and an aunt. One Christmas morning, we were sitting around the tree rifling through presents. We tore a package open and showed it to the entire family. One time I opened my gift, and I pulled out … a skirt! The family exploded in laughter. Late on Christmas Eve, my mom had gotten the gifts all goofed up.
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