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What is the best experience you’ve ever had in a small group? What made it so good?
Summary: A small group isn’t simply a Bible study or discipleship group meeting. It’s a gathering of people who share their own thoughts and experiences and seek to learn from one another. When led well, a small group can be an environment for significant life change. The following principles can help you lead enjoyable and effective small groups.
There are many types of small groups, and each type can have different dynamics and norms. Norms are the rules everyone in the group agrees to follow such as: show up on time, don’t look at your phone during the meeting and allow other people to talk. Be sure to define these norms and communicate them clearly to the group. One important decision to make regarding norms is whether your group is “Open” or “Closed.” Open groups allow new people to begin attending at any time. Closed groups seek to maintain a consistent environment by not allowing new people to join once the group has formed.
In addition to determining whether groups are open or closed, there are ways of organizing groups to consider:
Discuss:
Small groups function best when everyone is participating and group members are allowed to respond to one another. Keep the following principles in mind as you guide the group’s discussions:
Discuss: What do you think makes it difficult for people to engage in discussion with others group members?
Make sure everything shared with the group stays in the group. Confidentiality is critically important for creating a safe environment for growth.
If disagreements arise, understand that there are three “levels” of theological beliefs:
Major conflict and disunity occur when people treat all three levels of belief as convictions. Explaining the three levels can help people live in unity as they stand firm in their convictions and learn to hold their opinions and persuasions loosely.
Quiz: What level of belief applies to each of the following statements (opinion, persuasion or conviction)?
One of the best ways to have a group characterized by honesty and vulnerability is by being open about your own doubts, struggles with sin, and difficulty loving others.
This may be once a week or once per month, but it’s important to connect with people outside of your group meetings so they know that you care about them personally.
Brainstorm some fun things you can do together and some meaningful things you can do for group members.
If God isn’t doing the work to transform people’s lives, then you will waste your time.
Brainstorm some creative ways you can remind yourselves to pray for everyone in your group.
If you want the people in your group to one day lead their own small group, you will need to model easy-to-use and effective ways of leading groups.
Discuss: What are the top two or three principles that you think will improve a small group the most?
Pray: In light of what we’ve discussed, how can we pray for each other right now?
Since we last met, what happened as a result of expressing Christ’s love to others?
How can you, or we, express Christ’s love to others this week?
Here are a few ideas:
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