6 Tips on Small Groups

I met with some key volunteers today as we discussed how to improve in our greeting and small group ministry. We had a great conversation about the need to breakdown any hindrances for students to be open to sharing life. Many times students do not open up because they don't feel they can trust others. As we talked about how to build small groups that lead to transformed lives, we have to keep the vision in front of the adult volunteers and students

Here are some small group guidelines we felt was at the core of small group health.

Small Group Guidelines: 

• What is said in group, stays in group (unless you are hurting yourself or someone else).
• Small group is a safe place to share (help students know it is a safe place to share).
• Talk with each other and not at each other (avoid lecturing and telling students what to do and instead discuss how to work on a solution).
• No side conversations (don't allow whispering, comments and multiple conversations. Show honor to others and listen when they speak in groups).
• Prayer requests are not gossip (prayer requests are prayer requests. Avoid sharing sensitive requests out of group).
• Stay on track with the Bible discussion (avoid derailing conversations and topics. If a student tries to take the group away from the focus, talk to them afterwards about it and get back on track).

What guidelines would you add? How important is the vision of small groups? 

Volunteer Tip: The "Why" of Small Groups

Small groups are vital for student to become fully devoted followers of Christ. The need for small groups is vital to people learning how to grow in their walk with God and each other. The Bible gives us the foundation of spiritual growth within the Christian community.

In the Old Testament we see the importance of the unity between God and man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:27). God set up an important relationship between Adam and Eve. The sin that separated them from God was relational. The need for community was in place after the fall of Adam and Eve.

In the New Testament, Jesus set the example of pouring His life into the disciples. He spent a majority of his time explaining and living out the truth of God’s Word. Jesus did not spend his time mainly with the multitudes, but with a small group of world changers (Matt. 13:36).

In Acts 2:46-47 it says, ^“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”  

In James 5:16 it says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Here are a few observations from Acts 2 and James 5:16 on community: Healthy community...

1. Eat together (Yes!) 2. Meet in homes (better environment and openness) 3. Authentically live for God (glad and sincere hearts) 4. Relational (enjoying the favor of all the people) 5. Grows numerically (true disciples make disciples) 6. Maintains healthy accountability (grace meets pursuit of God's glory)

The early church is a great example of people that loved each other and spent their time and efforts on building relationships. (Acts 2:46, 12:12, 20:8, 20:20; Rom. 16:4-5; I Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:5; Philemon 2).

Small group is the best way for people to learn and grow in their faith. The essence of small groups is creating an environment where people can open up to one another and grow spiritually. Healthy small groups are essential to lead people to become like Christ.

 What would you add to the conversation on small groups? 

Is Small Group for Me or Them?

Small groups are different in every church. Everyone seems to have their own explanation of how they should be run. Everyone has their own definition for community groups, small groups, life groups, connection groups and yes, sunday school! Does group mentality and motive matter in order to build a healthy small group? I think so. The question that many ask is, "what is in it for me?" instead of, "who can I encourage, love and support in my small group?" The cultural norm is to look at activities, events and groups we get involved in with selfish attitudes. We all have struggles, pain, opinions, attitudes and life experiences. When you combine all of these in one group, it will be far from perfect. Small groups are messy. The question then becomes, Is this small group for me or for others?

Small group ministry is one of the most powerful aspects of the church. It is a priority to have a small group that builds community and love.  A group that is healthy will consistently reiterate the purpose of the group in order to stay focused on reaching the lost and well as growing disciples. Many times we use the term, "doing life together." Doing life together means we spur each other onto spiritual maturity. Doing life together does not mean it becomes all about our own preferences and desires. And by the way, spiritual maturity is about setting an example.

Spiritual maturity is...

• Loving those who do not show it in return. "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." James 3:17.
• Applying Matthew 18 and talking to those which you have a problem with and stop talking about them.
• Overlooking other people's mistakes because of their own mistakes. "Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs." Proverbs 19:11.
• Praying for those who do not know Christ.
• Caring for the interests of others and not your own.Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
• Agenda of grace and not a personal agenda of preferences.

Is small group just about a "closed group" mentality where it is all about ourselves or is there more to it? I sure hope so. Living "inwardly" basically tells a broken world that we are too busy to share the life changing message of the gospel with them.

Evangelism and discipleship are not divorced from each other. A healthy small group will be actively reaching and inviting lost people. Why? Because a disciple makes disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). Many struggle with this because it goes against the grain of what is most comfortable. Small groups that have an inward encouragement to one another and an outward love for those who need Jesus are the healthiest.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on small group mentality? Is it just for the group or a little of both evangelism and discipleship?