Easter has come and gone, and now the countdown is on for summer vacations and activities to kick in. The temptation for a lot of leaders at this point would be to mail in these last few weeks and kind of let the group slide into June. You can avoid that natural slump by doing […]
The timing of Easter Sunday this year provides a unique opportunity for small groups. When Easter is later on the calendar, it’s difficult for newly formed groups to get traction before the summer vacations start after Memorial Day. An April 1st Easter Sunday leaves two full months, and that’s plenty of time for a group […]
Every small group leader has questions. Most have lots of questions. It can be intimidating to take on the leadership of a group, but you can be assured that (almost) every small group leader has the same doubts, concerns, and questions that you do. The second that we as leaders think we have it all […]
Dealing with the aftermath of a broken relationship within a small group can be extremely tricky for a leader. It would be easy for group members to choose sides and splinter the group. But the way the leader responds will set the direction of health and reconciliation for the couple—and the group. Here are five […]
Although church sponsored small groups have been around for awhile, there are still misconceptions about what they are–or are not. With that in mind, here are seven popular myths that I hear about small groups. 1. Groups are for everyone–all of the time. It’s okay for people to take breaks from group life occasionally. Even […]
A common fear for almost every small group leader is not being “good enough” to be considered a leader in a church-based community. After all, how can I live up to the high standards of biblical leadership? If people only knew… The things I have done in my past My shortcomings as a spouse My […]
Whether your small group will be brand new in 2018 or you have been meeting for awhile, a good icebreaker question or activity is a great way to get the conversation going at that first meeting in January. Icebreakers help everyone in the group feel more comfortable about entering the discussion before the Bible study […]
By agreeing to be a group leader, you have taken on the critical task of shepherding a portion of the congregation. With prayer and proper preparation, your group will be an environment where community and discipleship coexist. Here are a few things you will need to do to help ensure the successful launch of the […]
Because God has shown us hospitality through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, we are to mirror that through our love for one another. This is the essence of the gospel. I don’t know a better opportunity for displaying this kind of extravagant love than in a small group of believers, so how do […]