Creative Community

I just sent an email to all our small group leaders (I do this 3-4 times each month). This week's focus was STAYING CONNECTED THROUGH THE SUMMER. Below is a list of 10 summer activities a small group can use to stay connected. These are specifically created for groups at The Gathering, but you can pretty easily modify the list to fit your church or your community. Go to a Dragon's Game together. You can buy tickets as a group from the church for the game on July 11. Design a Progressive Dinner. Have appetizers at one house, salad at another, the main course somewhere else and dessert at a final destination. Have a monthly barbecue party. Serve together. Pick a place (Good Neighbor House, St. Vincents, Victory Project, Pirate Packs, Caring Partners International, One Bistro) and sign up to serve as a group one afternoon or evening. Meet up at the Family Movie Night on June 15. Spend a day at King's Island. Work at the church for an afternoon. We have many proj...

Here is a great exercise for a new group. The instructions are pretty simple. Go around the group giving each person the opportunity to choose one question and answer it honestly. Anyone can follow-up with an opinion or clarifying question (no critiquing each other's answers, though). Once a question has been answered, no one else may answer that question. If your group is larger, you may want to alter the rule and allow each question to be answered 2 or 3 times. Ideally, each person should end up answering 3-5 questions. As the leader, pay attention to the conversation. Let the discussion run its course as this is how people in the group build their relationships with one another. You can use these questions, modify them or create your own.

Small groups provide the ideal environment for New Testament discipleship. Every picture we have of the early church is painted in the context of relational interaction. The first Christians were always together, always building each other up, always helping one another be formed into the image of Christ. In your small group, you can facilitate New Testament type discipleship by regularly implementing the four following conversations into your group time: 1. Build authentic relationships.  Caring for one another and building one another up will occur more effectively if everyone in your group feels comfortable with one another. Spend time every time you’re together asking and answering questions about each other. Good questions can often launch your group into fruitful inter-personal discussion. Consider the following ten week schedule for your opening Q&A time: · Who are your heroes? · What are your strengths? · What unique skills do you have? · What are your most ...

Groups that stick together, grow together. Relational growth within a small group context almost always leads to spiritual growth. As we deepen our connections, our trust in one another grows, allowing us to be more authentic with each other and more open to correction from one another. When that authenticity and correction is prompted from and rooted in God's Word, spiritual fruit is the result. Groups are often tempted to shortcut the "fun" times because they want to get to the "deeper" study. Unfortunately, without relational connections, most change is either intellectual or surface only and very temporal. Groups that spend time getting to know one another are far more likely to produce long-term, Spirit-prompted life change. One of the best practices a group can use to get to know one another is simply asking and answering questions. Well-crafted questions have the potential to create laughter, invite introspection and break down walls within the ...

Starting a small group is just step one. Building a group that maintains health over time requires extra effort. Proper structure can lead to sustainability. I recently created this image to illustrate the structure we desire our small groups to build. Key ideas are as follows: the primary purpose of the group is to learn to love and be loved as Jesus loved us. members of the group are growing in Christ, caring for one another and together focusing on the mission of Jesus each meeting includes food, friends, faith and focus outsiders are welcomed and invited Below is a brief slideshow to unpack these ideas a little bit more. How to build a healthy lifegroup from David Rudd

Small group gatherings are not business meetings. They need not have rigid agendas or strict time constraints. Although effective groups often follow set curriculum, there are times when they can take a break from their plans and have conversations about their group’s health. These five questions can be used together or one at a time. They are designed to help groups’ determine their identity, diagnoses their health and develop a plan for the future. How can we meet one another’s needs? Acts is full of stories about Christians finding creative means by which they can meet each other’s needs. Some even sold their properties and possessions. The small group is the ideal lab in which we can work out what it truly means to love one another as Jesus loved us. If the greatest love of all is laying down our lives for each other (and it is), then meeting the needs of others in our group should be one of our first and highest priorities. How can we encourage one another? 1...

Discipline Of Community from David Rudd

I truly believe that almost anyone can lead a small group at your church (there are always exceptions).  If someone is a disciple of Christ, they are called to make other disciples.  With the right tools and equipping they can disciple others in a small group setting. THIS IS FOR YOU If you pastor a church with small groups, are in charge of small groups, train small group leaders, lead a small group, are in a small group, think small groups are a good thing or would just like to know a little more about small groups... I have something for you. Below is a link to a kindle book which practically lays out the key steps anyone can take to effectively lead a small group (yes, anyone... almost). Even if you have no experience teaching, organizing or leading; the lists and charts in this book will empower you to launch and lead a group that grows together and ultimately serves together. HERE'S WHAT YOU GET In this book, I lay out the  4 KEY ELEMENTS every small ...

Leading a small group for the first time can be intimidating. Many people are afraid they are not capable, gifted, or intelligent enough to lead a group of people as they follow Jesus together.  I think they are wrong. Matthew 28:18-20 is often called the “Great Commission”. In these verses, Jesus commissioned His disciples to go and make other disciples. Interestingly, though, He did not tell them to do this in their own power or using their own strength. Rather, He made it clear they would be successful because He has all power. Jesus’ authority is what makes it possible for us to make disciples. If you are a disciple of Jesus, you have been empowered by Him to make other disciples. Not everyone can lead a small group, but almost anyone can. Of course, there are a few qualifications that every small group leader should have: They must be a follower of Christ. They should be a mature enough believer that they know their way around the Bible and can help ot...

Formalized small groups aren’t for everyone. Yet, the New Testament clearly commands us to spend time with one another, motivating and encouraging one another to good works (growth). The following questions can serve as a template for two or three people to have coffee together or for a group of 15 to gather in a home. Wherever your comfort level may be, you should be spending time with believers. Use these questions and use that time to empower growth in one another. What has God said? Everything God desires us to know can be discovered in His Word. As we build into one another’s lives, one of the most important topics around which we grow is understanding what God has said to us. Whether you spend 15 minutes reading a passage together or 2 hours digging into one verse; discerning God’s message is critical for spiritual growth. If you aren’t sure how best to answer this question, consider the following ideas: Choose a chapter from Proverbs (or another book) and rea...

Groups with a clear focus have a much higher chance of success.

Many churches consistently push people toward small groups as a vehicle to help them grow. This isn't just a churchy thing, though. "Secular" research also suggests that the people whom we allow to influence us will either drag us down or pull us up to their level.

Discussions can be the primary method by which people grow in small groups. Learning to lead good discussions takes time and practice. Use the following thoughts to work on your abilities leading discussion. View the 10 Commandments for Leading Discussions here. Prepare “good” questions prior to the meeting Have you ever been part of a discussion that went absolutely no where? One of the most important tasks a small group leader needs to execute is GOOD PREPARATION. If your group is going to engage in a good discussion, that will ONLY HAPPEN if you are willing to take the time beforehand to prepare good questions. You can follow these steps to prepare good questions ahead of time: 1) Plan. Set aside ample time for preparation. This time will include prayer, study, contemplation, and writing so 15 minutes before your group meeting is probably not enough. You need to set a time, block it off on your calendar, and honor that commitment to yourself. 2) Pray. T...

Small groups are a critical part of discipleship ministry. They give believers the opportunity to develop healthy relationships and grow in community. The best small groups utilize discussions to enable growth in each person. Below are 10 steps which will help you lead effective discussions. In the coming days, I'll write more about each of the steps: 1. Prepare “good” questions prior to the meeting 2. Create a climate of acceptance 3. Actively listen to each person 4. Affirm all legitimate expressions of opinion from your group members 5. “Peel the Onion” with questions 6. Be careful about taking sides in a “debate” 7. Allow for humor and rabbit trails 8. Don’t be afraid of silence. 9. Deal with discussion killers. 10. Be a facilitator, not an expert.

James wrote, "You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." How would your communication with others change (improve) if you allowed this piece of wisdom to drive your conversations? I've heard it said that God designed us to communicate well by giving us two ears and one mouth. Therefore we should listen twice as much as we speak. While this may not be a theologically accurate statement, the idea of listening more than speaking carries much value. Communication is about more than just speaking and listening though. Effective communication is about UNDERSTANDING . Listening alone is very rarely enough to gain understanding and speaking alone is rarely enough to create understanding. A third piece is not just helpful, it's necessary. Effective communication also requires asking. LISTEN: Understanding begins with listening. It's not enough to simply "hear" what someone else is saying, I need to fully give m...

This is a small group exercise designed for brave and self-directed groups who easily engage one another in meaningful discussion. Whether you do this in a group meeting, or around a table at Starbucks, this is a chance to interact with one another about real life stuff, using the Bible as your foundation for wisdom. To get the full value from this exercise, you must be committed to Scripture rather than your own wisdom! Before you begin, take a moment and have each person say one encouraging thing to the person sitting to their left. Read James 1:19 in unison. Remind the group that the three virtues identified in this verse are central to every group's growth. Have one person read James 1:22-25. Tell the group you'll be doing an exercise which will give them all the opportunity to be a DOER instead of just a HEARER. Take turns. Let one person share a personal struggle they are currently having. As a group, ask questions and listen closely so you can gain a f...

FOCUS YOUR SMALL GROUP BY MAKING YOUR TIME TOGETHER A BLUR B reak Bread Whether you enjoy an entire meal together or simply have popcorn and drinks, sharing food is a great way to break down barriers and promote openness. Relationships grow exponentially quicker when food is involved. L earn About Each Other Before you dive into Bible study or watching a video, take a few minutes to learn one another’s stories. Answering one or two questions each week leads to great discussion and can often become a powerful bonding time that everyone looks forward. Use crowd-breaker questions, or steal cards from a game like Zobmondo or Would You Rather. U npack God’s Word You might watch a video, read a book together, or work your way through a section of the Bible. Whatever you are doing to promote spiritual growth, do it in a way that empowers every group member to participate and own the process. Open-ended discussion questions are usually the best way to get people egaged ...

Dr. James Scott says at his blog : There's nothing magical about small groups! What?!?! Seriously. Many people believe that small groups are some kind of magic bullet that can cure every ill known to man and the church. They aren't. In fact, I would go a step further and say that there is NOTHING in and of small groups themselves that makes them special. However, small groups with the right perspective can be a different story. Here's what Scott say in the rest of his post: Simply getting a group of people to meet together regularly doesn't, by itself, transform the church, result in revival, instantly produce mature Christians, or meet the needs of those meeting together. What does make small groups vital parts of the church that impact congregations and communities is the motive of the group participants. When Christians come together to share life as the body of Christ on earth, as the early Christians we read about in the Book of Acts did, th...

An article by Dennis McCallum points out eleven reasons "home groups" fail. We use the term LIFEGroups, but these eleven "reasons" provide interesting food for thought. We'll talk a little about them this Sunday at our Driver's Summit. Read the whole article by clicking here. Read the main points below: 1. They are often not based on New Testament theory 2. The wrong criteria are sometimes followed for the selection of leaders 3. Frequently, insufficient authority is given to the leaders 4. The groups may have an unhealthy inward-focus 5. There is often no provision for church discipline within the small group 6. All groups may be the same, rather than diversified and matched to their members 7. There may be no adequate equipping offered to would-be leaders 8. The church may set no multiplication goals, and may have no good plan for multiplying home groups 9. Small groups are sometimes viewed as peripheral rather than central to the li...

I wrote this many years ago. Emma is still amazing, but her amazingness exhibits itself in other pursuits these days... Emma is an amazing girl. In addition to being an all "A" student, she is a competitive gymnast (her team was 10 th in the state this year), plays basketball, and excels at two musical instruments. Each spring, we celebrate her musical accomplishments by sitting through her recitals. Last year, as I sat and listened to the other students, enduring the missed notes, dissonant chords, and choppy timing, I began to think about the nature of a recital. Students practice six months for this one performance, yet the reason their parents have put them into lessons has nothing to do with this recital or the lessons or all that practice. The reason for piano lessons is to learn a lifelong skill that will enrich one's life and the lives around them. Recital's are just a step along the way. Typically a good teacher will choose recital songs that appear at f...