“Divisive group members create an off-balance group personality.”
Every group has a personality. The group personality is experienced as the group does life together and, in most instances, a group will begin to realize the group’s personality in about 8 weeks—unless there is an overly aggressive, gossipy, self-focused, individual in the group. When even one group member falls into any of these categories, the group will struggle to experience its true personality. The other group members will be unwilling to be themselves lest they are verbally attacked, their motives are questioned, or they gossiped about outside of the group meeting.
Strive to encourage a group personality that is inclusive, empathetic, and focused on building an uplifting community.
Rick Howerton is the Small Groups and Discipleship Specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources. He has authored many small group studies, is a highly sought-after trainer and speaker, and is the author of Destination Community: Small Group Ministry Manual as well as A Different Kind of Tribe: Embracing the New Small Group Dynamic. He is also the co-author of Disciples Path: A Practical Guide to Disciple Making and Countdown: Launching and Leading Transformational Groups. But Rick’s deepest passion and his goal in life is to see “a biblical small group within walking distance of every person on the planet making disciples that make disciples.”
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