Bible Engagement Project Part 2 Leader Training

Starting a Small Group

Hebrews 5:12–14 KJV 1900

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Starting a small group can feel overwhelming. However, by focusing on the most essential things, all of the to-do list items can come into focus. Whether you are new to starting a small group, getting ready to begin a new small group trimester, or have been leading a small group for years, Christian Rodriquez gives some good spiritual and practical insight on tools to implement when starting a small group.

SMALL GROUP CONSIDERATIONS

++Prayer

God has called you to lead, so pray about what God would have for your small group. Your prayers have power (James 5:16, ESV)! Your prayers help your small group through hardships (Ephesians 6:18, MSG)!

Your prayers help prepare you for the will of God for your group (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV)!

SMALL GROUP CONSIDERATIONS

Prayer

++Identify your field

Ask God what specific people He is asking you to reach and lead.

Who has God given you a passion for? i.e. An empty nester feeling called to lead a young adults group or a young professional feeling the burden to reach college students

SMALL GROUP CONSIDERATIONS

Prayer

Identify your field

++Clarify your mission

Think about one sentence that encapsulates what God has asked you to do with the people he has called you to reach.

That mission becomes the culture of your group and should be consistently repeated.

SMALL GROUP CONSIDERATIONS

Prayer

Identify your field

Clarify your mission

++Know your resources

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

What does your availability look like and what time can you set aside for your small group?

What responsibilities can you share with others in your small group?

VIDEO 2: STARTING A SMALL GROUP Christian Rodriguez

GROUP DISCUSSION:

++How can you implement the practice of praying for your small group into your everyday life?

Take a few moments to think about those who you are most passionate to see come to know Jesus. Share your thoughts with the group and then pray that the Lord would help you reach these individuals through your small group.

GROUP DISCUSSION:

How can you implement the practice of praying for your small group into your everyday life?

++Have you developed a small group mission statement?

Take 5 or so minutes to craft a draft. Once you have completed this draft, find a partner and share.

GROUP DISCUSSION:

How can you implement the practice of praying for your small group into your everyday life?

Have you developed a small group mission statement?

++What weaknesses or limitations do you have?

Are these things someone in your group could eventually assist with? i.e. Is hospitality a weakness?

Consider asking your church if someone would be willing host your group.

Creating and Experience

Helping guests or new life group attendees feel a part of your small group family is important as you look to grow and eventually multiply your small group. This can be in part accomplished by creating a positive first-time guest experience. In the third training video of this series, Rod Whitlock shares some simple ideas to help new people feel right at home, want to come back to your small group, and look forward to the following week.

CREATING A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR SMALL GROUP:

Make an introduction

++Determine your church’s system for small group invitation and master it!

++Personally invite people to join your small group.

++Always be prepared with all the information someone may need to attend your small group.

++OVER COMMUNICATE It may take a few touch points of communication for someone to come to your small group i.e. in person invitation, text message, and a social media post.

Prepare for your small group

++Make sure the room is prepared

++Consider seating, lighting, temperature, food, etc

++Prepare Spiritually

++Be prepared for the actual small group time

Welcome people

++Greet them at the door

++Learn names

++Anticipate guest’s questions i.e. where the bathroom is located

1 Peter 4:8–10 KJV 1900

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Follow-up

++Create a plan for follow-up

++Consider meeting with small group members or guests outside of small group time

Group Discussion

++Discuss your church’s system for inviting people to small groups.

Make sure you are familiar with it and ask your group leader questions, if necessary.

Group Discussion

Discuss your church’s system for inviting people to small groups.

++What are some creative ways to invite people from your church or community to your small group?

Imagine it is your first time at a small group. What questions might you have? Write these down and then answer them based on the small group you lead. Let this be a guide for you as you welcome new people to your small group.

Group Discussion

Discuss your church’s system for inviting people to small groups.

What are some creative ways to invite people from your church or community to your small group?

++What are some ways you can follow-up with people in your small group whether they are new or long-time attendees?

Best Practices

As a small group leader there are some universal best practices that will help you successfully lead a mall group such as creating a plan, maneuvering awkward moments, and creating space for the Holy Spirit to impact people’s lives. In part 4 of this video series, Elly Marroquin walks you through these best practices to help you confidently lead your small group.

BEST PRACTICES FOR LEADING A SMALL GROUP

Create a plan

Creating a plan helps you to

++develop continuity between meeting times

++stay focused

++be creative

++be confident.

Six questions to guide your planning process

++What passage of scripture will we be discussing?

++What is the main idea/theme/objective?

++What is your call to action?

++What activities do I want to use?

++What resources and items will I need?

++Am I evaluating my plan before my small group time?

Lead through awkward moments

Let’s examine a few scenarios or personality traits that may lead to awkward moments in your small group:

Let’s examine a few scenarios

++The Conversation Dominator:

Never discourage people from participating. Instead have a private conversation encouraging them to help you involve others in discussion.

Let’s examine a few scenarios

The Conversation Dominator

++The Shy Small Group

Silence is not always bad; sometimes people need time to process. Consider using open-ended questions or even pairing people for discussion as an alternative o large group discussion.

Let’s examine a few scenarios

The Conversation Dominator

The Shy Small Group

++The Over-sharer

Always thank people for their contribution effectively validating them. Then guide those in your small group to respond either with prayer or examining the scripture. A private conversation may also be necessary as you seek to pastor that individual.

Let’s examine a few scenarios

The Conversation Dominator

The Shy Small Group

++The Over-sharer

The Challenger

Be careful not to escalate an authority confrontation. Remind everyone that we are to build one another in discussion. Let them know you would be happy to have a conversation with them at another time to address the concern they raised. Consider bringing a pastor into that conversation.

Remember you are not alone!

++Your church leadership is there

++They will support you as a small group leader.

Create spirit-filled moments

++Pray that you would be open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and leading in your small group as you plan

1 Thessalonians 5:16–17 KJV 1900

16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing.

Galatians 6:2 KJV 1900

2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Create spirit-filled moments

Pray that you would be open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and leading in your small group as you plan

++Plan a time for prayer in your small group

People should come to your small group expecting to pray!

Create spirit-filled moments

Pray that you would be open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and leading in your small group as you plan

Plan a time for prayer in your small group

++Create space to seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit for individuals in your small group

1 Corinthians 4:1 KJV 1900

1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Group Discussion:

++As a group, create a mock plan for a small group by answering these six questions:

++What passage of scripture will we be discussing?

++What is the main idea/theme/objective?

++What is your call to action?

++What activities do I want to use?

++What resources and items will I need?

++Am I evaluating my plan before my small group time?

Have you ever led or been a part of a small group and encountered a conversation dominator, a shy small group, an over-sharer, or a challenger? How did you or the leader respond? Was the response positive or negative? How could the response be improved?

How do you plan to incorporate prayer into the routine of your small group?

Have you experienced the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Take time as a group to seek the Holy Spirit’s gifts.