Every Bible study class or group wants to have great fellowships. Fellowships help build and strengthen relationships, and create a fun atmosphere conducive to inviting guests.
Here are 10 ways to provide a quality, fun-filled event:
- Involve as many people as possible in the planning and implementation. The more people involved in the planning and execution, the better the participation. Use this helpful planning guide: Fellowship Planning Guide.
- Realize that all fellowships will not appeal to all people. Plan a good variety of activities and you will involve more people.
- If the fellowship will cost money, make sure anyone can attend even if they do not have the funds.
- Make sure child care needs are provided or considered.
- Practice Romans 14:21 when planning fellowships. What is right for some may not be right for others.
- Plan fellowships that are “Guest Sensitive.” Make sure guests and new members feel at home during the fellowship.
- Do not over schedule fellowships so that people become burned out. Make them special, and keep them wanting more!
- Make sure the entire class or group is invited to participate. Be sure to include your associate members who teach in preschool, children, and student classes. Also work at getting new members to attend.
- Keep Christ in the center of your fellowships. This may include a brief devotional, a testimony, or be as simple as a prayer before a meal. Encourage members to invite unchurch friends, neighbors or work associates in their circle of influence to the fellowship. They may come to a fellowship activity long before they will come on a Sunday morning.
- Remember that every creative fellowship takes multiple people to pull off. Be sure to say “Thank you!” to the planning team!
After the fellowship evaluate with your leadership team what went right and what improvements need to be made. Build on your success for the next great creative fellowship!
As you consider the type or theme of your fellowships, here’s a list of ideas that groups of all sizes can enjoy: Creative Fellowship Ideas.
Alan Raughton serves as adult ministry specialist at LifeWay. For 19 years Alan has trained Christian Educators and Adult Ministry leaders around the country. He especially enjoys training and coaching Adult Bible study leaders and Adult Ministry professionals. A student of history, Alan enjoys reading biographies and books on historical events. He has been married to his college sweetheart, Ruth, since 1980. They are the parents two grown children.
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