Bible Engagement Project Part 3 Leader Training

Part 4-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

Philippians 4:6 KJV 1900

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

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 groupPeople 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 Peter 4:9–10 KJV 1900

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.

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?

Questions

++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

Part 5-DIVING DEEPER INTO SCRIPTURE

Saehee Duran

Using and teaching scripture in your small group is a vital component of making mature, Christ-following disciples. However, scripture teaching and discussion can often lead to people asking difficult questions in your small group.

Pastor Saehee Duran gives us some helpful tips for using scripture in our small group and guidance for confidently and humbly responding to difficult questions.

DIVING DEEPER INTO SCRIPTURE

++The Bible needs to be a priority in your small group

Only 1 out of 5 Americans have read through the entire Bible.

True discipleship cannot be done without engaging the Bible. It completes us

2 Timothy 3:16–17 KJV 1900

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The scriptures contain timeless truths that are relevant for today

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

No curriculum or book compares to the Bible

DIVING DEEPER INTO SCRIPTURE

The Bible needs to be a priority in your small group

++ You are not just a discussion leader; you are a spiritual mentor

Discussions are great for community building, but they cannot be your only tool.

Discussion must be balanced with biblical engagement.

DIVING DEEPER INTO SCRIPTURE

The Bible needs to be a priority in your small group

You are not just a discussion leader; you are a spiritual mentor

++How do we engage with scripture during small group?

Leading a small group does not require a bible degree. It requires a love for the Bible and the courage to engage it event when you do not know everything.

When preparing for small group and reading a passage of scripture ask yourself...

++What did this passage mean to the original reader

++How does this passage point toward Jesus?

++What does this passage have to do with the people I minister to in my small group?

If someone asks a question you don’t know the answer to, don’t guess. Let them know you will study it and get back to them. Consult a mentor or pastor.

GROUP DISCUSSION:

++What plan or strategy do you have for prioritizing scripture in your small group?

++What fears do you have when it comes to engaging the bible in your small group?

++Have you ever been asked a question about the Bible that you did not know the answer to?

++How did you handle it? Would you handle it different in the future knowing what you know now?

Complete the following group activity together.

Read Luke 2:41-52 as a group. Answer the following questions about the passage. Consult outside resources if necessary.

Luke 2:41–52 KJV 1900

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Questions

++What did this passage mean to the original reader?

++How does this passage point toward Jesus?

++What does this passage have to do with the people I minister to in my small group?