How to effectively coach leaders for their continued effectiveness.
by Brett Eastman
Without a guy named John I wouldn't be where I am today.
He was the coach of the first small group I led. When my confidence was waning or I was tired of leading, he came alongside me and said, "I believe you can do it." That meant the world to me. Everybody loves hearing this kind of encouragement.
He also repeatedly said, "I'll help you. I'll walk alongside of you, and you can come to me when you ...
This six-session course offers Biblical advice on how to pass on our faith.
Passing our faith onto our children is vital. How can we help them want to know Christ? This six-session course will discuss how to make God real to your children by teaching them how to pray, making church a positive experience, helping children make their faith their own, and using stories to make the Bible come alive.
Session 1
Make God Real to Your ChildrenUse everyday examples to teach your child ...
Turbo groups are an effective way to train several new small-group leaders and co-leaders at once. They are also an excellent method for exposing potential leaders to the routines and requirements of a small group in order to gauge their willingness and capability for the role.This download, produced from ...
A step-by-step approach to guiding your group toward spiritual maturity
Tom Bandy
Note: This article has been excerpted from the SmallGroups.com training tool called Soul Care.
Perhaps the most exciting and intimidating role a small-group leader may play in the lives of small-group participants is that of "spiritual guide." The excitement lies in being midwife to another's insight and mentor to another's mission. The intimidation lies in the sheer terror that someone might actually ...
Your example can show others real Christianity at work.
Dreama Pritt
What a wonderful opportunity God has given us to reach and teach disciples in small groups! The best way to do this is by example. Just as we follow the example of the New Testament church, we teach and are taught by the examples of those around us. How many times have you personally met someone and thought, "I want to be like them"? Or, just as significantly, "I don't want to be like them!" Our relationships ...
How we started small groups for our youth, led by our youth
Wayne O. Gooden
Our youth small groups are totally student-led, with "at-hand" adult leadership available in case of needs that are outside the ability of teens. When we started out, we had one large "youth group" that usually met on Sunday afternoon from 4:30 - 6:30.
We began to share the vision with our kids and began to show them how this could work for them to strengthen, encourage, evangelize, etc. Each week ...
A father-daughter team worked together to reach the local youth, with lasting results.
Mike Osborn
It's been just about a year now since my daughter asked me if we could start a youth cell in our home. Since I was presently serving in the position of a Zone Pastor, initially I was a bit hesitant. But after praying about it, our family decided that we would take a shot at it. My 11-year-old daughter would be responsible for cleaning the house, making the refreshments, coming up with the weekly ice ...
How to start and maintain a small group ministry for teens
Michael C. Mack
"I shudder at the thought of having to go into a group of some 30 to 40 teenagers to try to elicit some kind of enthusiastic participation,: says Tony Campolo in Carpe Diem. "To get them … genuinely involved in a discussion would require a cahrisma and talent that only a superior species might possess."
If Tony Campolo feels this way, how about the rest of us? How can we get teens genuinely ...
Don't let yourself forget what it's like to be sixteen.
Michael C. Mack
"Don't let yourself forget what it's like to be sixteen."—Anonymous
In a couple of weeks I'll be heading to my 20-year high school reunion. As I've prepared for this—schedule-wise, financially, and emotionally (especially emotionally!)—I've reflected on what it was like to be 16 often in the last few weeks.
I turn my radio up REAL LOUD every time Rod Stewart's song comes on in the ...