SMALL GROUP IDEAS …
1. SMALL GROUP theme nights
• Less Remote – More Relationship
• Loving Those Who Annoy You
• Taking God to Work
• What’s on Your Mind?
2. What’s my NICHE? (by Dennis Hickey)
Individuals in a small group setting may have difficulty discerning where and how God desires to use them. As facilitators, our responsibility is not to give them answers but to help guide them in the process. I’ve found it beneficial to explore these six areas with disciples to help them discover their niche.
PASSIONS
• What do they long to do for God? What specific places, people, organizations, and activities are they drawn to?
• Why are they interested in those areas of ministry, and how would they like to be involved?
FRUIT
• In what situations have they seen God bear fruit through them?
OPPORTUNITIES
• How has God opened doors for ministry? God may be using these circumstances to direct them to further works of service.
GIFTING
• How do they and those around them believe they have been gifted spiritually?
• What abilities have they exercised in previous ministries?
• Gifts, like skills, must be developed. Are there activities in which they sense a growing ease?
INFLUENTIAL ENCOUNTERS
• Who has mentored them spiritually? What did they learn from those individuals? God often uses members of the body of Christ to lead his children in ministry.
CHARACTER
• How is God changing their characters? For instance, is He seeking to make them more loving, courageous, wise or patient?
• In what ministries might those qualities be needed? God often works in us so that He can use us in some specific way.
3. In the LEAD (by Tiffany Marshall)
If you lead a small group, these tips can help you guide discussion more effectively.
BE PREPARED
• The better you know the material (if leading a study) the easier it is to relax and concentrate on helping group members feel comfortable. You won’t be distracted by concerns about how to pull off the discussion without the group knowing how unprepared you are.
ASK ONE QUESTION AT A TIME
• If you pose multiple questions at once, members will likely forget all but the last one, and you’ll repeat yourself.
SIT STRATEGICALLY
• Try to sit directly across from the quietest person in the group. You’ll likely make the most eye contact with that person and eye contact encourages participation. An alternative is to sit next to the most talkative person. That way, you’ll reduce the amount of eye contact he or she receives.
FOSTER A SAFE ENVIRONMENT
• We all desire a place where we can be real. You may need to remind the group how to create that environment. Discuss appropriate times for good-natured teasing or jokes. Address sarcastic comments and put downs gently and immediately. Once the guidelines for safe interaction have been established, it is easier to remind the group to practice compassion and sincerity.
GO THE EXTRA MILE
• People feel most comfortable around – and are most likely to interact with – those with whom they spend the most time. Find opportunities to get to know members individually outside your meetings. You might be amazed how much the effort pays off during group time.
4. SELLING Points (by Andrew Stuart)
On certain weekends, the church I attend invites small-group leaders to set up and host tables promoting their groups. People can browse the tables and find a small group to join. At first, “selling” my small group seemed overwhelming. So I asked people who work in marketing how they would approach the problem. They gave me some great advice.
TARGET YOUR AUDIENCE
• Consider what table items and information might interest people who would enjoy your group’s focus. Your goal is to attract individuals who want what your group offers, not recruit more members than the Jones’ group.
TEMPT THEIR TASTE BUDS
• Invite people to your table with food. Candy is an inexpensive and colorful choice. Because our group serves at a local soup kitchen, we plan to draw people to our table with a slow cooker of fragrant soup.
CATCH THEIR EYES
• Choose items and signs for your table that are bright, colorful, and related to your group’s focus. If your group is activity-based, use objects or photographs associated with that activity. If you will study a book together, place a well-thumbed copy of the book on your table.
PUT IN WRITING
• Create information sheets to give to those who visit your table. Include a brief description of your group’s vision, details about when and where you will meet, and instructions on how to contact someone for more information.
KNOW YOUR STUFF
• Be familiar with the information on your sheets. People will ask questions before they read the handout. Answer politely, and then point out the information included on the sheet.
PROVIDE TWO SIGN-UP SHEETS
• Using one sheet for “definite” and another for “interested” allows people to indicate interest without making a commitment. Later in the week, call those on the “interested” sheet and ask if they have questions about your group. They may simply be waiting for someone to contact them.
ENGAGE
• Stand at your table and smile. Offer people your printed material. If someone asks questions, find out the person’s name, and use it when you address him or her.