Learn from these often-overlooked keys to making the most of your small-group lesson.
by Terry Powell
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This article examines a taken-for-granted aspect of discussion-leading. Below, you'll find several important things to keep in mind when responding to group members' participation.
Exhibit enthusiasm
When you lead quality Bible discussions, people will find fresh, "I've never thought of that before" insights. In response to a study question, participants may notice a truth for the very first time, ...
Learn to understand people and help them understand themselves.
by Doug Self
Note: This article has been excerpted from the SmallGroups.com training tool called Becoming a Great Listener.
Editor's note: This material was originally written to help pastors improve their listening skills while visiting church members in their homes. It has been adapted for small groups.
According to Robert L. Montgomery, author of Listening Made Easy, the ten most common characteristics of a good ...
Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs that can help you listen well
by Kathleen Miller
Jane called just as I was walking out the front door. Juggling my bag, Bible, and car keys, I answered the phone. "Hi," she said. "Have you got a minute?" I said I did, because I had told the members of my Bible study to call me anytime.
Jane was upset because her best friend, Sarah, had decided to leave the church. I knew Sarah's move stemmed from a ministry opportunity elsewhere. So instead of empathizing ...
A collection of resources that can improve your listening skills and help you apply them in small-group situations
"Small Groups in Depth" collections are assembled by the editors of SmallGroups.com as a method of continuing education for people participating in small-groups ministry. Each collection offers step-by-step training on a specific ministry skill or practice. Individuals may read through each resource on their own as a method of self improvement, or may customize the articles, discussion questions, ...
You need to understand this powerful method of communicating attention (or lack thereof).
Doug Self
Note: This material was originally written to help pastors improve their listening skills during visitations. It also applies to small-group leaders, both during a meeting and in one-on-one conversations.
As a pastor, my responsibilities include visiting the members of my flock inside their homes. I have experienced some success in this part of ministry, but I still find myself apprehensive about ...
There are some helpful ways to train your leaders the art of listening.
Joel Comiskey
Someone said that when you're fifteen years old, you are concerned about what others think about you. When you're forty-five you really don't care what people think about you. When you're sixty-five, you realize that no one was thinking about you anyway!The truth is that all of us spend most of our time thinking about ourselves.Paul the apostle even said, "For everyone looks out for his own interests, ...
Going beyond the act of hearing can bring a load of blessings to your group.
Janet McMahon
Several years ago I found myself in a small group of women that met on Saturday mornings. These were women I had known for a while; they were friends of mine. The group had a simple format—we would read a few verses from the Bible, read a meditation, and then ask the same three questions every week.
I had been a part of many small groups before, and I was expecting all of the usual good stuff—sharing, ...
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