Summer or No Summer?

This is a question I ask every group leader I coach. Are you planning to meet in the summer or are you going to take some time off?  I am not so much concerned with what their answer is, but I am more concerned on why they chose to meet in the summer or take the summer off.

I have now lead a small group for 8 years and every summer we do not meet. The reason we do not meet is because I need a break.  My group needs a break.  Throughout the year, I have our members read an article, book, or even their Bible (that's right!) before we meet.  After 9 months, it can become draining on them.  They need a break.

Also, I need a break during the summer.  However, I really don't take much of a break.  During the summer months, I try to plan all the weeks in advance for the Fall and Spring.  I want to give myself enough time to review books, articles, and studies that fit our groups personality. I have always had a fear of not being prepared for a meeting, so I always plan ahead.

These are just a few of the reasons why are group does not meet.  It does have it's downfalls however. We lose our bonding time for three months.  It becomes difficult to continue to lift each up in prayer, especially for specific concerns for three months.

Whatever you decide, consider these things for the summer.

1. Stay connected- Even if you are not meeting on a certain schedule, find ways to stay connected throughout the summer.  Invite a few people over for dinner. Take in a Cougars game with your group.  Serve at FMSC.  Stay in each others lives anyway possible.

2. Pray about the upcoming year. Fall will be a big season for new groups forming and new people joining.  What is God calling your group to do?

3. Assess your group.  Every so often I have the people in my group fill out a survey.  I want to know what type of studies they enjoy.  Was there a particular study that they really loved?  How do you enjoy our childcare situation right now? Find the areas in your group that need improvement and focus on how you will make that happen.

Nick Tanner

Ideas That Work - Prayer

One Ginger Creek small group has a family approach.  Each meeting the entire family comes to the host home.  The children play during study, but then everyone comes together as the group prays. This teaches the children the value of prayer and lifting each other up.

1. What other positives does this bring to the small group and families?
2. What could be some possible disadvantages this might bring?

"HELP, I Can't Do Everything!"

I always want to be in control.  I can control our finances.  I will take care of our dinners for the week (planning them, not always cooking them!).  I will also take control of the TV.  It really is not different with my small group.  I will take care of the study, hosting, food, fun nights, schedule, service projects, prayer lists, and the list could go on.  After leading a group for over 8 years, I have realized I need to let go!  It is still a process for me.  It is not easy.  But it is not only better for me, but it is also best for the group.  This article from SmallGroups.com gives great advice on how to share the load.

http://www.smallgroups.com/articles/2013/share-load.html

Does anyone else struggle with this?

Ginger Creek Small Group DNA

As you know, Ginger Creek has been very intentional in making sure each group has the same DNA. Every group should do the following:

Attend Worship Together

Break Into Partnerships

Connect New People

Do Life Together

Equal Your Time

These are important and I wanted to members of my group to understand what Ginger Creek expected out of our group.  Instead of a boring lecture on each one, I created "Case Studies" for our group to work through.  Each couple took 10 minutes and worked through a case study.  We then all came back to discuss each one and how it might impact our group.  Below are the case studies if you care to do the same with your group.

Attend Worship Together

Case Study:

The Watson's small group has existed for just one year.  Overall, they have gotten to know each other, but not on a deep level.  With many couples beginning to have kids their church attendance has not been as consistent. The leader of the group sees the importance of sitting together at church and would like to make this a staple.

1.     What would be the positives of this group sitting together each Sunday?

2.     What challenges will this leader face?

3.     Do you think this is feasible for this group?

Break Into Partnerships

Case Study:

The Smith’s started a small group about 7 years ago.  Although several couples have come and gone, they have had a pretty steady group and they have connected.  Recently the leader decided to try the prayer partnerships at their meetings.  Beth and Tricia began sharing requests.  Beth mentioned to Tricia about how her and Tom’s marriage was struggling.

1.     Should Beth open up to the entire group about this prayer request? Why or why not?

2.     Should Tricia tell her husband about Beth and Tom’s struggling marriage?  Why or why not?

Connect New People

Case Study:

The Marino small group started about 5 years ago.  They are at full capacity for the house they meet in.  Dan, the leader, has been leading the group during its entire existence.  No one else in the group feels called or equipped to lead the group. Several new couples have shown interest in joining Dan’s group.

1.     Should the Marino group split into two groups?

2.     Should the Marino group invite the other couples and try to make room the best they can?

3.     Are there other options for Dan?

Do Life Together

Case Study:

The Bixler small group has been meeting for 2 years now.  They currently have about 6 couples (with young children) in their small group, but new couples continue to join while some couples end up leaving the group.  The leader, Rick, has been trying to incorporate Ginger Creek’s model of “doing life together”.  Recently, he started a monthly dinner club so everyone has a chance to socialize over a relaxing meal at a restaurant.  He has also incorporated a day each month for couples to go to the movie theater.  Finally, he also has started a service project night each month.

1.     What are the advantages of “doing life together” with this group?

2.     What are some things that Rick failed to realize when setting this up?

3.     What are some better ways for Rick to “do life together?”

Equal Your Time

Case Study:

A group of men meet on Friday mornings for a time of prayer and bible study.  This group meets every Friday and consistently has about 15 men attend before heading off to work.  The leader decides to equal their time between bible study and service.  So every other Friday morning he decides to serve the church by doing jobs around the property such as landscaping, gardening, and painting.

1.     Did the leader make the right decision by following Ginger Creek’s guideline?

2.     What is the best way for this leader to incorporate “Equal Time?”

Small Groups Matter

New research from LifeWay reveals how important small groups are to the life of the church:

"A new study from LifeWay Research found that those who are not involved in a group are missing out on one of the most effective tools for Christian growth … Virtually every pastor (97 percent) says groups are an important part of their church, yet less than half (42 percent) have a 'well-defined' approach to group ministry."

The report continues,

"Churchgoers who belong to a group are more likely to go to church at least four times a month (79 percent), and to read the Bible daily (28 percent). … Being in a group also impacts people's daily lives. Group members feel closer to God (69 percent), understand the Bible better (74 percent), trust God more (66 percent), and become more loving in their relationships (48 percent)."

Aaron Earls concludes the report summary:

"New groups create a level playing field for those previously involved and those joining a group for the first time. They bring in new members and reproduce new leaders. When churches stop bringing in new members and reproducing new leaders, they have begun a slide to the death of the congregation."

Tips for Using Video Bible Studies

About once a year I use video bible studies to lead the group.  Below are some tips I recommend for your next video bible study.

1. Pick your study carefully. Don't pick the most popular study.  Pick the one that fits your group the best. Try to find one that is less than 20 minutes per session.
2. Prepare.  Watch the video at least twice before your study.  Have questions prepared ahead of time.
3. Take notes.  Provide pens and paper for your group to jot down questions or comments as they watch.
4. Don't be afraid to hit pause.  Sometimes it warrants a time to pause the video and ask, "Do you agree with what he just said?"  It may spark a lively discussion.  Discussion should always take priority over finishing the video.
5. Ask, "What did you think?" This question opens the floor for discussion, engages everyone, and let's you know where to lead next.
6. Don't forget about application.  Also pose the question, "How would this play out in your life?"

Free Bible Study on Money and the Christian (6 sessions)

God wants to free us from money's bondage and help us put it in its proper place. You can download the entire bible study at the link below.
http://www.smallgroups.com/downloads/biblestudy/christianity-today-bible-studies/cc14.html