What it really takes to help people change their minds
Dan Lentz
Have you ever changed your mind about something? I have changed my mind more about things in the last few years than I would have ever dreamed possible.
More than Knowing
For example, when I started working at an industrial job, I had the idea that a person should not miss work for anything—even when you're sick. So for more than six years straight, I never missed a day of work because of illness. ...
Practical advice for working toward life-change, not spectacular meetings
Carter Moss
For many small-group leaders, one of the more intimidating things we do is facilitating a group discussion. Very few of us feel like we'll have all the right answers, or that we can handle whatever curve balls will be thrown our way (and there will be some!). To make matters worse, it's even challenging to gauge whether we're doing a good job or not.
But here's the good news: that's not what facilitating ...
God gave us the gift of community to meet our needs.
Michael C. Mack
I hated math in grade school. It started all the way back in second grade, and didn't get any better as I grew older. In eighth grade, Mrs. Li was my math teacher. She probably was really good at math; her problem was she knew very little English. The class was moving at a snail's pace through the textbook and learning very little.
A month into the school year, two of my friends, Dale and Paul, went ...
Values, goals, and feedback drive great leaders and great groups.
Jon Weiner
In Small Group Training, we learn about being a "faith-oriented" leader. The essential element to becoming faith-oriented is leading with the heart. A small group leader must love God, love group members, and love self as well. One of the important keys to being an outstanding leader of a small group is exhibiting a servant's heart—a passion for those the Lord has brought around you and your ...
Small-Group Leaders are in the most strategic position in the church to effect real, lasting life change and spiritual growth.
Michael C. Mack
Small group leaders are in the most strategic position in the church to effect real, lasting life change and spiritual growth. The church's best method for caring, shepherding, loving, and growing people is through small group leaders!
We've probably all heard assertions like this before, and while we affirm the truth of these statements, we have to ask how we are supposed to make it happen. If small ...
Discipline is just about my least favorite word in the dictionary. The word reminds me of doing homework, going to the gym regularly, or saving money for retirement. None of these things are much fun today, but each one has a huge payback tomorrow, doesn't it?
We each have private spiritual disciplines we should practice (simplicity, meditation, solitude, prayer, service, fasting, study, stewardship, ...
How do small groups aid in the process of transformation?
by Jenn Peppers and Tara Miller
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So what can small groups do to help bring about transformation? This is one of those times when it would be nice to have "five steps toward transformation," or a nifty acronym, or better yet, an acrostic of the word transformation—"T" is for "take time to reflect … ." But transformation cannot be wrapped up with a pretty bow. There's no formula. No way to plan for it.
N. T. Wright explains the fundamental elements of Christianity.
Note: Because of the size of this video resource, you will need to download both Part 1 and Part 2.
N.T. Wright shares the truths from his book Simply Christian in these 10 video sessions. Wright outlines Christianity in a way that challenges viewers but uses language that is easy to understand. These 10 video lessons also come with a PDF discussion guide that corresponds to each lesson.