• All Sites:
  • Pastors
  • Leadership
  • Kids Ministry
  • Student Ministry
  • Groups Ministry
  • Women's Ministry
  • Worship Ministry
LifeWay

Group Ministry

Conversations on Group Practices

  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Bible Study Insider
  • Groups Resources
  • Free Bible Teaching
Group Leadership
August 8, 2017

Be Positive and Encouraging, Even if it Hurts a Little

By Ken Braddy

This teaching tip will apply to leaders of any small group. As you lead your group members in Bible study, be sure to remain positive and encouraging. There are enough negative influences in our lives today, and a Bible study isn’t a place for condescending attitudes, snarky remarks, or rolls of the eyes. As the group’s leader, set the pace and always look for the positive in the things your group members say and do. Here are a few phrases you can use to keep things positive:

• “You’ve asked a great question that I haven’t thought about until now.”
• “What a unique way of looking at this Bible story! Thank you for helping us to see it from your perspective.”
• “That’s a great insight.”
• “That’s a super sharp observation – I can’t believe I didn’t see that!”
• “Thank you for sharing your thoughts with the group. You’ve given us something new and exciting to think about.”
• “Thanks for sharing.”
• “I really like what you just said.”
• “That’s a great way to look at this Bible text.”
• “I wish I’d thought of that.”
• “I think you’d make a great group leader!”

And the list goes on! No matter who speaks up in the group, always find something you can affirm in them. Be an encourager, not someone who inadvertently discourages group members from sharing their thoughts.

Ken Braddy manages LifeWay’s Ongoing Bible studies, leads a Bible study group, and blogs about groups at kenbraddy.com.

 

You may also like -

  • A Letter to Small Group Pastors: Why It’s Important to Count Your NumbersA Letter to Small Group Pastors: Why It’s Important to Count Your Numbers
  • What’s the Deal With Personal Study Guides?What’s the Deal With Personal Study Guides?
  • Three Ways to Do Small Groups This FallThree Ways to Do Small Groups This Fall

Filed Under: Group Leadership Tagged With: Bible Study, Coaching, Community, Curriculum, Discipleship, Fellowship, Group Dynamics, Growth, Leadership, Learning, Ministry, Recruitment, Spiritual Growth, Teaching, Training

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Group Ministry

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

previous arrow
next arrow
Slider

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidby EmailRSS

Follow Group Ministry on Instagram

…

Follow Group Ministry on Facebook

Follow Group Ministry on Facebook

All Ministry Sites

Pastors
Leadership
Kids Ministry
Student Ministry
Groups Ministry
Women’s Ministry
Worship Ministry

Digital Resources

Ministry Grid
LifeWay Worship
Digital Church
KidEvent Pro
MyCurriculum Manager
Simulcast Manager
LifeWay Reader eBooks
Generosity
WORDsearch
SmallGroup.com

LifeWay Network

LifeWay Research
B&H
Ridgecrest

Copyright © 2021 · LifeWay Christian Resources · All Rights Reserved