The love a small group showed for a woman going through cancer is opening her to God's love for her.
by Life Together
In the middle of a frenzied school year, a small group of women gathered week after week to grow in Christ. Marci told the group that her sister-in-law, Meg, was struggling with cancer. None of the other women knew Meg.
Marci's heart was broken over Meg. Meg had never pursued any type of relationship with God, and Marci feared her eternal destiny was hopeless. Also, the cancer was immobilizing her ...
Go out of your comfort zone and into a prisoner's life.
Sue Skalicky
"I am incarcerated. I have no family or friends in the free world, Christian or otherwise, who visit or write me. It has been difficult for me to come back to God because I felt that just as my family and friends no longer wanted anything to do with me, that God likewise wouldn't want anything to do with me either." A prisoner named James spoke these painful words in a letter to Prison Fellowship ...
Movie clips can bring an extra sense of humanity to your small-group discussions.
Sue Skalicky
I have a disease.
Thankfully it is treatable.
I became aware of my ill health while watching 'Patch Adams.' Towards the end of the movie, Robin Williams, as Patch Adams, fervently defends his actions as a medical student - actions that could have him thrown out of medical school. He was faulted for feeling, ridiculed for reaching out, and penalized for his passion. The medical board listened cautiously ...
Offer a cold beverage to quench someone's thirst so you can meet deeper needs.
Sue Skalicky
Group Outreach
Liquid love
In 1954, humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow developed a theory of personality that focuses on five basic instinctive needs that every human has. These basic needs are:
Physiological Needs
The need for oxygen, food, water, and a consistent body temperature are the most important, because without them the person cannot think or comprehend anything else.
Is your group looking for creative way to serve your community?
Keith Wright
Is your group looking for creative ways to serve your community? Here's some great ideas from Keith D. Wright.
Project Warmth. Collect blankets, coats, and other warm clothing for the homeless. One group advertise their annual "blanket run" in the church newsletter and receives several truckloads of donated items. The also approach area businesses for monetary donations to buy rain ponchos and socks (the most requested items). Deliver you bounty to local homeless shelters and soup kitchens for distribution.
Without hospitality, discipleship cannot flourish.
Michael C. Mack
Hospitality: What is the first thing that comes to your mind? If you are like me, I think of the person who hosts a small group meeting. She—almost always a she, right?—is warm and welcoming, has the spiritual gift of cooking apple pie, and greets each group member with a big hug and a big smile.
Perhaps this notion comes from the definition of this term in Network, the course on spiritual ...
Small groups need to provide an atmosphere conducive to new friendships and sharing.
Eileen Key
The front door swings open, and a stranger stands on the threshold. If you are on the outside looking in, your heart may race with nervous anticipation. If you are on the inside looking out, you should open your arms in greeting. Fellowship and hospitality are hallmarks for a small group meeting.
Hospitality means a generous and cordial welcome. Small groups need to provide an atmosphere conducive ...
If you are too busy to spend time with God, you are too busy!
Michael C. Mack
I received this question from a small group leader several years ago: "As a working mom with additional church responsibilities, I am very busy. I find it difficult to regularly read and study my Bible. I want to be a good example to my family and my group. Do you think I'm too busy?"
A Christian leader is first of all a Christian. As simple as that sounds, many of us often forget it. You can't lead ...
Being a Small-Group Leader means signing away your old life and taking on the new life of a shepherd.
Sue Skalicky
My signature becomes my word when I sign checks, tax forms, petitions, applications, letters or cards. By signing my name I am saying that I am good for the money I am promising, or that I believe in a cause, or that all the above information about me is true. When I sign my name on letters or cards to loved ones I am saying that I care about them and I am committed to them.
A small group ministry is a powerful means of unleashing the power of your congregation's spiritual gifts.
Reid Smith
Imagine calling out everyone with the gift of evangelism to begin a "Going Group" that would encourage other groups in your church to share their faith! Imagine calling out everyone in your church with the gift of mercy or service to begin a group-based "Helping Hands" ministry! The possibilities are limitless! A small group ministry is a strategic means of unleashing the latent power of the spiritual ...
Printer view of these results
