Seven questions that will lead to effective small groups.
by Jeffrey Arnold
John 15:1-17; Acts 2:42
1. What is the vision for small groups at our church? This question is fundamental. Answering it requires asking two more questions. First, what is our overall vision for what small groups can and will do in our church? (And, What is our biblical basis?) Second, what kinds of people in our church can and must be reached by the small group ministry?
How to create small groups that really care for each other.
by Sue Dunn
If you want to create a church community that really cares for one another, the best way to do it is through small groups. When small groups become the vehicle for care-giving, the whole church gets involved in sharing one another's burdens—a much more personal approach than relegating the task to a committee.
The whole congregation should be making hospital visits, taking meals to people when ...
An innovative small-groups ministry for a neglected group of people
by John J. Van der Graaf
Late one July afternoon, as another recently divorced woman left my office wiping tears from her eyes, it struck me that people like her really had no place of their own—particularly in church. They didn't fit in single's groups comprised mainly of young adults never married. They didn't feel fully accepted in the church's family activities. In the one place people come to seek support and solace, ...
I've a new Bible hero of late: Lazarus. Not Luke's scabrous beggar, but Mary and Martha's ill-begotten brother. Most of his story is told in John 11—Lazarus's sickness, Jesus' reposeful delay, Lazarus's death, Mary's and Martha's upset with Jesus, Jesus' own upset ...
An in-depth look at some of the Master Teacher's methods
Greg Carlson
Jesus involved his disciples in a special style of learning experiences. And as rock-solid teachers, we have the privilege of following the Master Teacher's model. Consider the three different aspects of learning situations: awareness, truth, and experience.
Awareness. Awareness is when the student's motivation has been developed. The student hungers for the content of the lesson. Teaching for awareness occurs when you build the need for knowledge in a student's life. Bruce Wilkinson states that when you build the need, you provide the main method of motivation in a student's life. This is our primary calling, because it brings the student's real need to the surface before we teach him or her the "content."
Show a soldier you care by sending a special package of love.
Sue Skalicky
This past week, my four daughters and I strategically packed a care package for my husband who is currently stationed in Kosovo. The filling of the carefully selected box was a thoughtful process. I threw in all his running and military magazines that have recently come in the mail, as well as a great book on servant leadership. My oldest daughter pieced together a video with clips from basketball ...
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?"
It's vital to help your group members internalize what they learn each week.
Mike Shepherd
A Bible study lesson is not a Bible study lesson if it does not lead to real life change. Our spirituality is not measured by how much we know but by how much we obey. Jesus said, "Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!" John 13:17 (TEV). Putting truth into practice is one of the hardest things to teach for. But the application of the text is critical if we ...
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