In my previous blog entry, I shared the first 10 of 20 practical tips for revolutionary small groups. They come from a resource of Officers’ Christian Fellowship that is available on the web entitled, Leading Effective Small Groups. There is a section of that material which offers Practical Tips. I will be adding my commentary to the the resource’s tips:
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Don’t allow yourself to become the group guru. You need to be able to give specific areas of group leadership away. If the group considers you an expert/guru, they will be afraid that they cannot do the job as well as you could. Look for ways to affirm participation and to give leadership away.
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Don’t accept a wrong answer for fear of offending. You can ask for clarification whether it is a right or a wrong answer. Affirm their participation without agreeing with a wrong answer. Ask the group if they agree or would offer another answer.
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Don’t allow statements that denigrate another denomination. In fact, don’t allow statements that denigrate the church, church leaders, or staff. Your purpose is to do Bible study. Stay on task.
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Be alert to the use of Christian/church-ease. We use many words which new people will not understand. Be prepared to explain religious, church, and denomination words/phrases. A new person may not understand what “walking the aisle” means. Explain it. A new person may not understand what NAMB, IMB, BSU, WMU, RA’s, GA’s or SBC is. Explain it. A new person may not know who Lottie Moon is. Explain it. A new person (and many long-term attenders) may not know what sanctification, glorification, and revelation are about. Explain them.
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Stick with the text being studied. It is easy to chase rabbits, to get off subject. Focus is important. Be careful in jumping from passage to passage. Make sure it contributes toward the direction you are heading or it can be confusing rather than helpful.
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Draw the study to a conclusion. I like this point. Many groups I have been with never landed the plane. Summarize what has been learned and decisions/commitments that have been made. It can also be helpful to share with the group where they will be heading during the next group time.
- Don’t forget to do “application praying.” Lead the group privately, in pairs, or corporately to pray through application of the truth to their lives and commitments that have been made. This could include praying through the SPACE A questions from the previous blog entry (Part 1).
- If you serve refreshments after the small group meeting, avoid the practice of “can you top this?” Avoid making it difficult for others to participate in the group as hosts. The group should be the focus more than the refreshments. Save fancy food for special events.
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Structure the small group so that you encourage growth/the incorporation of new people. Keep your study as open as possible. Use an open chair in every meeting as a reminder to invite new people. Train the group to focus more on the newcomers than close friends. involve guests early in the study as well as in group planning, refreshments, and activities.
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As you grow, plan to divide the study. I prefer to suggest that you plan to sponsor or birth a new group. As leader, train an apprentice. Either you lead the new group out or train the apprentice to lead the new group out. A body with cells that stop creating new cells dies. Plan for group multiplication. (Appendix B in the resource referenced above offers suggestions on Dividing the Small Group.)
Pray. Prepare the group. Lead. Involve. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!
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