Summer is a natural time of the year to pull back and get in some "me time". We are so busy with life that scheduling some down time to recharge our batteries becomes a necessary part of our summer routine. I do hope you have been able to do that or will do it soon. As you get back into your routine, mid August, use that recharged energy to give back to others. Make it a "Christmas in August" Bible ...
Real life doesn't wait outside while we attend our small-group meetings. Fortunately, a small group is a place where burdens can be shared, and often will be shared. But what happens when the really big problems hit? At what point do group members move beyond listening and praying for ...
If your small group prays together, you'll want to read this.
by Dan Lentz
"Lord, teach us to pray." Every small group, from Jesus' to yours, has asked that question at some point. What do you say to the God of the universe? Prayer can be intimidating. How do you listen to someone you can't see? Add other people's voices to the mix and it all becomes even more complex and intimidating. And yet, prayer is a gift from God to all of us, and group prayer binds us to one another ...
Discuss important and intensely controversial questions that surround war, persecution, and peace.
The following 7-week course will help you and your group think about important and intensely controversial questions that surround war, persecution, and peace like: Where in our congregation's life might we be called to practice more peacemaking? Has your peace of mind been shattered during this time of terrorism and war? What can we do about human rights abuses in our world? What is the "just war" ...
What kind of balance should Christians seek in their involvement with politics?
As part of the Good News of the gospel, Jesus invites us into the community of his disciples, who are to influence society and take a stand when human and divine authorities are in conflict with each other. What kind of balance should Christians seek in their involvement with politics? How does the Bible inform us on how Christians should practice "right politics"?
Here are 10 tips to increase the frequency and effectiveness of your supplications.
Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey
Many years ago, evangelist S. D. Gordon said, "The greatest thing anyone can do for God and man is to pray." After 25 years of leading small groups and coaching small-group leaders, I have come to one clear conviction: prayer is the most important activity of a small-group leader. In fact, if a group leader could only do one thing to make his or her group more effective, that one thing would be to ...
Use a pair of pruning shears to help group members discuss what they need to cut back on in their lives.
Tami Rudkin
Bring a pair of pruning shears. Hold them up for the group to see and ask, "What are these?" and "What are they used for?" Pass the shears to each person as they answer this question: "What would you like to cut back in your life?"
Use a bank deposit form to help group members think about their life investments.
Tami Rudkin
Find a small, inexpensive piggy bank for each of your group members, OR go to a local bank and pick up enough deposit slips for each person. If you are using a bank, also have small pieces of paper to write on.
Have each person write on paper or deposit slip where they have invested their lives. (i.e. teaching school, leading a small group, children, music, etc.)
Pass out some cash to help the group articulate their reactions.
Tami Rudkin
Take a twenty dollar bill, or twenty ones, and as you pass the money to each group member have them respond to the question, "What do you see when you hold this money in your hands?"
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