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January 15, 2018

Creating an Inclusive Mindset in Your Small Group

A friend invites us to attend a Bible study group. We hear all about the relationships, spiritual depth gained, and ministry opportunities that await us. We decide to attend and soon discover that becoming a part of the group will be more difficult than we thought. We wear a handwritten name tag (everyone else has a printed tag), get asked to introduce ourselves to start the group time, and then find out we were the only ones that didn’t get the text about bringing your own cup if you wanted coffee.

Most of us who lead a Bible study groups ministry at least advertise that our groups welcome anyone. We would like to think that any person can find acceptance and a place in a Bible study group. Unfortunately, “anyone welcome” is an apparitional goal at best in many groups. What are some things we can do as a leader to move the groups towards being more welcoming of everyone?

To begin with, take an inventory of the stories used to illustrate points during the Bible study. Most of us use stories from our experiences and interests…and we should. Doing so helps the group get to know us and builds trust between the group and us as the leader. But shouldn’t we strike a balance? How many of the stories used relate to people exclusively from our background and interests? Nothing wrong with loving sports for example, but all our illustrations shouldn’t be from the sports world.

Secondly, look at who helps us manage the group. Is there diversity within the team, or are they all like us? Most of us gravitate toward people with the same interests and goals, so it makes sense. However, if we want our Bible study group to be inclusive, the leadership team ought to reflect who we are seeking to reach. Just look at the group Jesus assembled as His disciples and we find all kinds of people—fishermen, a tax collector, a political activist, and a thief. He assembled a diverse group on purpose.

Thirdly, observe who and how we engage people. Most of us tend to find it easier to talk to some people than we do with others, but as the leader we need to try to engage with everyone present. That begins with awareness and prayer. Asking God to help us see all people as people is a dangerous prayer since God tends to put people in our lives to find out if we are serious about that request. How we engage someone may be more important than who we engage. We must learn to treat others as people who have real needs, real reasons for why they believe what they believe, and real stories worth telling.

Fourth, we can become a student of cultures and subcultures. Read blogs and books by people with whom we know we will disagree and who come from a different background. Learn to be comfortable asking about a person’s background, memories, and values. We can all learn a great deal by talking to people if we simply take the time to do so.

Here’s the bottom line, creating an inclusive Bible study group starts with us as the leader. The rest of the group takes their cues from us. They know who we talk to the most and to whom we respond the best. They watch how we handle others who answer questions in a combative or reactionary way. We set the standard even when we don’t want to.

What are some things you have found that help you foster inclusive mindset in your group?

G. Dwayne McCrary is a project team leader for ongoing adult Bible study resources at LifeWay, including the adult Explore the Bible resources. He also teaches an adult group and preschool group every Sunday in the church he attends.

Group Leadership

January 11, 2018

Icebreakers for the New Year

By Chris Surratt

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 starts. Here are a few of my favorites.

I Know Who You Are

This is a twist on the Two Truths and a Lie game.

Give each person two pieces of paper, and a pen or pencil.
Have each participant write their name and three facts about themselves on one paper—the facts must be true, but should be obscure and probably not known by the other group members.
Direct the participants to number the other paper with one number for each person present.
The leader collects the papers and reads aloud the facts on each sheet, keeping track of the names that match the facts read.
The participants write their guesses next to the numbers on their sheets.
Once everyone has completed their sheet of numbers and name guesses, read aloud the answers and see who had the most correct to determine a winner.

This Tells About Me

This icebreaker will help new group members get to know each other a little better.

Have each person pull out a personal item from his or her purse or pocket, or use an item of clothing or an accessory he or she is wearing.
Go around the circle, with each person telling something about them as it relates to the item they have chosen. For example, a person may choose a wallet-sized picture of their husband and share how they met, or a comb and explain that they are a hairstylist.

Play Dough Personality

This icebreaker allows the group members to show their creative side.

Have everyone sit at a table or provide a surface (such as trays) for this activity.
Give each person a reasonable amount of play dough and instruct him or her to make something out of it that represents or describes his or her personality.
After small group members are finished, have them take turns sharing their creation and telling the group about it.

Get To Know You Questions

What do you do for fun?
What would be your ideal vacation?
What superhero did you want to be, and why?
What is the most memorable activity you did with your family as a child?
What quality do you appreciate most in a friend?
What is a good thing happening in your life right now? What makes it good?
If you knew you couldn’t fail and money was no object, what would you like to do in the next 5 years?
What would you like said at your funeral?

Chris Surratt is a ministry consultant and coach with over 23 years of experience serving the local church. Chris served on the Executive Team at Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN, and was on staff at Seacoast Church in Charleston, SC, for 15 years. He is also the Small Group Specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources. Chris’s first book, Small Groups For The Rest Of Us: How to Design Your Small Groups System to Reach the Fringes, was recently released by Thomas Nelson. You can follow his blog at chrissurratt.com or follow him on Twitter @chrissurratt.

Group Leadership

January 8, 2018

Four Ways to Make Football Sunday Work for Your Groups Ministry

By Ken Braddy

The NFL’s big Sunday is near upon us, and there is no reason your Bible teaching ministry or Bible study group should not make the most of this national event. It is actually a great idea for small groups to capitalize on big cultural events like the NFL championship. Here are several ways that you might consider taking advantage of big game Sunday, using it to give a “lift” to your Bible teaching ministry.

Rename it “Super Goal Sunday” and have a high attendance day – A high attendance goal on this special day can be fun for the church—people can wear the jerseys of their favorite teams, the sermon can be crafted to include references to football, and the fellowship hallway can be decorated in a football theme. A pastor could introduce his group leaders to the congregation much like the announcer at a football game announces the starting lineup, using this occasion to introduce teachers (or “groups coaches” for the day) and encouraging guests to attend one of their groups. It’s simply another way to reinforce the importance of being connected to a “team” (a Bible study group).
Encourage groups to host big game fellowships – Many churches already do this, but because they’ve done it for a long time, “Super Sunday fatigue” sets in and groups often are increasingly resistant to hosting parties on this night. Constantly remind people why you’re asking them to host a party: to help new people connect to a group, to allow “associate members” (those who teach a kid or student group) to have adult fellowship time with your group, and to give everyone else in the group a chance to hang out and deepen friendships. To help younger families, the church will need to provide childcare, or childcare vouchers, to families with kids up to sixth grade.
Host a deacon-sponsored tailgate party right after church – Involve your deacons and let them be the heroes of this event! While the church meets for Bible study and worship, these servant leaders can set aside a section of the parking lot, back up their trucks, and grill hotdogs and burgers. When the church dismisses at noon, lunch is ready. Ask Bible study groups to provide the side dishes or drinks. The church can provide the meats, plates, and utensils. Simply ask families to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the free meal. Of course, your part of the country may be extremely cold, so move the eating inside to a fellowship hall, foyer, or even a classroom. What goes better with football than a good tailgating event?!
Schedule a guest speaker who has ties to the NFL – I admit this one is a little harder than the other three suggestions, but it’s not impossible. You just have to ask around, make some calls and inquiries, and do it early. Contact your state convention or local association. One church I served had a former member of the Washington Redskins, and he was all too happy to speak, wear his gigantic Superbowl rings, and let people see those rings up close. He farmed himself out to other churches and spoke at events throughout the year. Look around for former players, coaches, or anyone else with ties to an NFL team. If you bring in a guest speaker, be prepared to be generous toward them financially.

Ken Braddy is a group leader, and manages LifeWay’s adult ongoing Bible studies. He blogs daily about groups at kenbraddy.com.

Group Answers Podcast

January 3, 2018

Group Answers Podcast: Episode 51-Daniel Im

By Group Ministry

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:50 — 54.7MB) | Embed

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On this week’s episode, Brian and Chris join Daniel Im, the Director of Church Multiplication for newchurches.com. Brian, Chris, and Daniel discuss the following points:

You are only one step away from unlocking new levels of maturity and growth for your church.
You are more apt to join a small group if you are personally connected to a group member.
There are no “silver bullets,” or magic solutions, for a church’s groups ministry.
We must be wary of the existence of “discipleship whiplash” within our church and group leaders.
Sometimes a church’s metrics to determine growth are more harmful than helpful.
We must view goals for our small groups as means, not ends.

The Group Answers Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study and discipleship expert in LifeWay’s Groups Ministry, and Chris Surratt, the small group and discipleship specialist at LifeWay and author of Small Groups For The Rest Of Us.

GUEST: Daniel Im is the Director of Church Multiplication for newchurches.com and LifeWay Christian Resources and serves as the teaching pastor at The Fellowship, a multisite church in Nashville, TN. Daniel is the coauthor of Planting Missional Churches. He has an MA in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary. You can find him at danielim.com. His latest book, No Silver Bullets, discusses the five small shifts that will transform your ministry.

Group Leadership

December 21, 2017

Four Ways to Show Hospitality in Your Group

By Chris Surratt

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 we practically live this out in our groups?

1. Be open to inviting strangers into the group.

This is not always the case for every small group. A few groups, like recovery groups, will need to stay closed for accountability and confidentiality, but most groups can be open to offering community to those who need it most. The expectation of group members inviting others into the group will need to be discussed at the start of the group.

2. Remember that everything speaks.

Walt Disney was famous for insisting that everything in his amusement parks sends signals about what the organization values. This applied all the way down to how the pavement changed between the different sections of the park. He said, “You can get information about a changing environment through the soles of your feet.” Our hospitality in the small group starts with how the environment speaks to the new member. Was there a smiling face at the door? Did group members welcome the new person in? Did the condition of the house show that we care about the comfort of our guests?

3. Be the first to serve and the last to eat.

In his book Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek makes the case that good leadership is the willingness to put the people you lead’s needs before yours. He says, “The true price of leadership is the willingness to place the needs of others above your own. Great leaders truly care about those they are privileged to lead and understand that the true cost of the leadership privilege comes at the expense of self-interest.” This can be as basic as allowing your group members to always get their food first, to being physically and emotionally available when they are in a crisis.

4. Pray consistently for the group.

Extravagant hospitality begins with seeking God’s favor and provision on the group members. Prayer sets the stage for life-changing moments to occur through love toward friends and strangers.

Group Leadership

December 14, 2017

Is the Usher Team a Small Group?

By Chris Surratt

What is an official small group in your church? Most churches technically already have small groups. You probably have a guest experience group that greets people at the doors on Sundays or serves coffee. You may have a parking group that gathers early on Sundays to pray before heading out to help people find parking spaces. You may also have a choir group, a kids ministry volunteer group, a worship team group, a facilities group, a security team group, and a variety of other ministry group possibilities. It would be easy to declare all of these ministry teams to be small groups, but they may or may not be meeting the expectations of spiritual formation in your church.

Before you declare your usher team an official small group in your system, examine all of your groups with these questions:

What is the goal?

Ministry groups may fill the purpose of serving, but if your goal for groups is making disciples, that is only one piece of the puzzle. Start with the end in mind and decide if your groups are designed to get you there.

Is there community?

A ministry group may have time to gather for a few minutes before they serve prior to or after a service, but are they experiencing real life-on-life community?

What is the content?

Unless a ministry team is also meeting outside of their normal service time, there is probably not enough margin for an in-depth study.

What are the essential elements?

A biblical small group should have essential elements that set it apart from every other type of group people could be a part of. Every group should have the foundation of discipleship, community, and culture-shaping built in.

What is the experience?

Have expectations of what someone will experience if they join a small group. Each element should be designed to help them take their next steps toward Christ.

How do you measure growth?

There is no way to know if your groups are meeting expectations without a way to measure it. An effective small group shows spiritual growth.

Chris Surratt is a ministry consultant and coach with over 22 years of experience serving the local church. Chris served on the Executive Team at Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN, and was on staff at Seacoast Church in Charleston, SC, for 15 years. He is also the Small Group Specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources. Chris’s first book, Small Groups For The Rest Of Us: How to Design Your Small Groups System to Reach the Fringes, was recently released by Thomas Nelson. You can follow his blog at chrissurratt.com or follow him on Twitter @chrissurratt.

Group Leadership

December 7, 2017

Starting Your New Group in the New Year

By Chris Surratt

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 group in January.

Choose a location

This could be a room at the church, someone’s home, a community clubhouse, or anywhere that people can meet for one to three hours each week. Ensure it is centrally located for people in the group, and can comfortably host eight to 16 people. If your group will have families with young children, make sure the facility has enough rooms for adults and kids during the group discussion time.

Choose a day and time

The day and time will help determine who will be able to attend. If it is on Sunday morning, the group will be limited to current church attenders. If it is held during the day on a weekday, it will be limited to people with flexible work schedules. If it is later in the evening, it may be difficult for young families to attend. Think through who you want to invite to the group, and plan a schedule that fits their needs the best.

Invite people

Start with the people who are in your immediate circles–friends, family and co-workers. Make a list and then personally invite each one. Here are 10 questions that a potential group member may ask.

1. How much time is this going to take?

2. What are we going to do with our children during group meetings?

3. Will there be homework? If so, how much?

4. Am I going to have to talk or can I just sit and listen during meetings?

5. Will I have to pray out loud?

6. Who else is going to be in the group?

7. How much do I have to know about the Bible?

8. How many weeks or months is the group going to last?

9. If I don’t like it, can I leave without people being angry with me?

10. What are we going to do during the meetings?

Launch

Choose a launch date that will allow your group to meet for several weeks before a possible interruption. The second or third week of January is an ideal time to launch a new group. People are back from vacations and holidays and getting back into a weekly schedule. This year, you will have a 10-week stretch to Easter Sunday with no major interruptions.

Questions to think about:

1. What is your biggest fear in starting a small group?

2. What type of location would work best for your small group?

3. Who will you invite first to your group?

4. Which potential questions from invited group members will be the most difficult to answer?

Group Answers Podcast

November 22, 2017

Preparing Your Groups For The Holidays

By Group Ministry

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:31 — 72.6MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | RSS

SUMMARY: On this week’s episode, Brian and Chris sit down with Stephanie Nichols, the Central Groups Director at Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee. With five campuses, Cross Point is a multi-generational church with 250 small groups across all campuses. Stephanie provides vision and leadership to all directors. 90 percent of Cross Point’s groups meet off-campus.

Brian, Chris, and Stephanie discuss how to keep momentum during holidays and breaks. According to Chris, “Stopping and starting [groups] builds momentum.” Stephanie adds some advice for those who oversee the small groups in their church: “If your leaders are tired, then they need a refresh. But if your leaders are not losing steam, then try to vary meetings and not meet every single week.” Other ideas for refreshers include coffee dates, holiday parties, and dinner gatherings after groups. Stephanie affirms that the social aspect of small groups is important to foster community. The three also discuss how to disciple groups during the holidays—including accountability, prayer requests, get-togethers, and book clubs.

The Groups Matter Podcast is a weekly show designed to resource, train, and encourage small group leaders. Each episode considers current trends and resources as well as timeless truths and methods of discipleship. It is hosted by Brian Daniel, a Bible study and discipleship expert in LifeWay’s Groups Ministry, and Chris Surratt, the small group and discipleship specialist at LifeWay and author of Small Groups for the Rest of Us.

Group Leadership

November 8, 2017

Open or Closed Groups: Which One is Right for You?

By Matt Morris

Traditionally, most churches have always had some form of discipleship in a smaller context than corporate worship time with an adjacent sermon. What you call your small groups may differ depending on the culture, age, and context of your church, but it’s likely you call them Sunday School classes or Small Groups. Many newer churches play off of “Small Groups” and call them “Life Groups,” “Connect Groups,” or something of the like. It’s definitely important for you to have some form of one-to-many groups setting where a leader other than the pastor can aid in the spiritual maturation and disciple-making process of those in the church. But for the last several years, we’ve seen a surge in closed groups.

Closed groups are just what they sound like—they’re closed for a season to allow members of the group to study God’s word together. Oftentimes, it is very difficult for individuals or couples to join a closed group, most likely due to the nature or context of the curriculum that group is studying. For example, LifeWay has a discipleship curriculum called The Journey. The study was designed to be progressive in nature, meaning that what a group studies in week seven builds on what they studied in week six, and so on. That makes it difficult for new members of your church to grasp what was taught early on in that group. So for this reason, churches will usually close groups one or two weeks into a new study and remain closed until the study concludes. This usually works best for groups that meet in homes each week who are studying very specific topics, or areas of Scripture that are progressive in nature.

In contrast, open groups are groups that likely meet on campus on Sunday mornings before or after the worship service. Oftentimes, open groups meet to further discuss what the pastor preached on just a few short minutes before. Another example would be a study through the Gospels, identifying similarities and subtle nuances between them. But this way of studying Scripture is much different than that of closed groups.

So which one is right for you?

If you have Sunday School on Sunday mornings where you have visitors who regularly attend your church and are looking to get plugged into a class, open is usually the way to go. Try to have at least one open group for each age group. You don’t want to sacrifice any sense of community to potential members.

On the other hand, if your groups meet during the week in homes, I would advise a closed group strategy. If you’re doing 6-week short-term studies, a break between each study is an ideal time to invite new folks from your church to attend the next study.

Regardless of how or where you land on the spectrum, make sure you make guests feel welcome. Encourage your group members to reach out to newcomers. Consider having some appetizers, muffins, or danishes, and some juice or coffee. Once a quarter or so, try to get together outside of the context of church and have fun with each other. It will help with the sense of community.

Matt Morris is a Brand Manager at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee. He has served in ministry for over 11 years. Matt is married to Carmen and they have twins, Hudson and Harper. Matt and his family are members of First Baptist Church Mount Juliet, where he serves as a deacon.

Group Leadership

November 7, 2017

Links We Love

By Group Ministry

Here are the top 5 articles LifeWay Groups Ministry has been reading and sharing:

Rob Tims: This Single Word Defines How A Christian Relates to Others
http://michaelkelley.co/2017/10/this-single-word-defines-how-a-christian-relates-to-others/

LifeWay Women: Pray Like This | Read an Excerpt
http://blog.lifeway.com/womenallaccess/2017/10/17/pray-like-this-read-an-excerpt/

LifeWay Men: 4 Domains of Men’s Ministry
http://blog.lifeway.com/leadingmen/2017/10/03/4-domains-of-ministry-to-men/#.We0yVRNSzOQ

Eric Geiger: 4 Failings of the 60,000-foot Leader
https://ericgeiger.com/2017/10/4-failings-of-the-60000-foot-leader/

LifeWay Leadership: Four Painful Results of Insecure Leadership
https://www.lifeway.com/leadership/2017/10/20/four-painful-results-insecure-leadership/

What links have you been reading and sharing? Share your favorites in the comments below!

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