Leader resources
We want to help you lead and shepherd your group in the best way possible!
Using icebreakers is an essential small group skill. They should begin with light and informational questions then move to deeper and more personal levels as the group progresses together. If used well, they can move the group to experience greater community! Using group openers is a basic, yet essential, small group skill. “Icebreaker ideas” and “share questions” are designed to facilitate discussion about members’ personal lives and to help them open up more freely. They are not designed for simple yes and no answers. Use discretion with these questions and statements. Some will evoke deep and serious responses. Others are light and funny. If your group is new, you should probably use questions and icebreakers that focus on information about people’s lives (where they grew up, where they went to school, how they came to your church, where they work, what they think about certain events in our culture, etc.). Scripture memory is a great next step for any Christian. Add this to your group time and help hold each other accountable. These monthly verses are given out to the whole church. Memorizing scripture can help us battle sin, grow in our faith, and give us a better understanding of who God is. (Psalm 119.9-11; 2 Timothy 3.16; Mark 12.30) Chuck Swindoll wrote, “I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture...No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified.” January - Psalm 16.11 Tips for Leading Well: Stay Connected: In John 15, Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to instruct his follower to “abide”. When we stay connected to Jesus in this way, we welcome God’s work in us and through us. As the leader, we can’t expect something from our group members we’re not doing ourselves. Are you staying rooted in your relationship with Jesus Christ, realizing that apart from him you can do nothing? By encouraging and facilitating connections outside of regular group meetings, you demonstrate the priority of relationships. This might include a group text, email string, or seperate accountability groups between men/women. How are you and your group members connecting outside of group time? Promote Participation: Shared participation (facilitating the study, hosting the meeting, preparing the snack, leading prayer time, planning socials, guiding the curriculum-choice decisions, etc.) creates broader ownership of the group. Follow up with absent group members. If everyone can’t make it, continue to meet with those who can. How are you involving your group members in supporting the group? Serve Together: Serving those outside of the group is a great way to leverage the influence of the group while strengthening the relationships within the group. Is service a consistent part of your group experience? Celebrate Change: If we truly value the life change God brings about in people, it is important that we take the time to celebrate it in our groups. How do you and your group members celebrate the growth you see occurring in each other? Provide Care: Often poeple don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. You may find another person in your group is better at providing care. Look for ways to include them. Do you make it a priority for your group to support and care for each other? Replace Yourself: By passing on knowledge, skills, and opportunities, you are preparing others for future leadership while sharpening your own. How are you intentionally investing in a potential leader in your group? End Well: As all groups have a natural life cycle, leaders must work with their group members to craft a picture of a strong finish. All groups end. Whether it’s a missional change, someone moves, or you add a new person, nothing is forever. Helping your group through this from the onset can be a difference maker. How are you planning today for a successful end to your current group? The purpose of this tool is to take an honest look at where we are individually in respect to our three vital relationships - intimacy with God, community with insiders, and influence with outsiders. When the results of this evaluation are viewed as a group, hopefully we’ll be able to better choose a curriculum that best addresses our needs. Below you’ll find a list of recommended studies for your small group. You may also want to use our monthly memory verse sheet and discuss the monthly verse, or continue the conversation from Ps. Jon’s sermons on Sunday. Whatever your group chooses, keep in mind the main goals are for people to connect and grow closer to Christ! You’re welcome to choose a study you feel would be best for your group. Please let your small group coach know what you’re studying, if it’s not on this list. New Testament Study: Old Testament Study: Parenting Series: Current Issues: Marriage Series: Discipleship Series: If you choose to do this study, please let Tyson know. Leading a small group can be a challenge! One way you can see growth in your group and even in yourself is to be aware of the next steps people can take. A win for a small group is any time someone takes a step closer to Christ. This list isn’t exhaustive, but gives you an idea of what to look for and what to call your group members towards. Our small groups are designed to help people connect and grow! Thanks for your part in helping your group accomplish this. Salvation (Romans 10:9-10)
February - Hebrews 10.23
March - Psalm 121.1-2
April - Hebrews 12.1-3
May - Psalm 91.1
June - Colossians 2.6-7
July - Colossians 3.1-2
August - Colossians 4.5-6
September - Romans 12.1-2
October - Hebrews 10.24-25
November - Hebrews 13.15-16
December - Galatians 4.4-5
In leading groups, we have discovered several key essentials to creating the optimum group environment for God to work in.
This essential reminds us to stay spiritually nourished.
Cultivate Relationships:
This essential is focused on how we build community.
This essential focuses on how you involve your group members.
This essential expands the focus of the group beyond itself.
This essential helps us stay focused on the purpose of the group.
This essential focuses on the big and small ways we can provide care.
This essential challenges us to prepare others for leadership.
This essential prepares us to transition our groups well.
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/195647
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/257957
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/336794
Christianity is based on a claim about an event from the distant past for which there is little or no forensic evidence. Learning how to apply cold-case investigative skills allows us to examine the evidence and discover the truth. Detective J. Warner Wallace discusses controlling presuppositions, understanding the difference between “possible” and “reasonable,” and employing abductive reasoning.
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/314411
https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Series/140661
https://www.amazon.com/Discipleship-Essentials-GuideBuildingChrist/dp/0830821287/ref=asc_df_0830821287/tag=hyprod20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=316997822370&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13748817338499491246&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016093&hvtargid=pla-644684888804&psc=1
Baptism (Acts 2:38)
Praying out loud (Psalm 142:1)
Consistent group participation (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Consistent church participation (Hebrews 10:25)
Serving in a ministry (1 Peter 4:10)
Sharing your faith (1 Peter 3:15)
Personal time in God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16)
Memorizing Scripture (Psalm 119:11)
Personal prayer time (1 John 5:14)
Inviting a friend to church
Discipling someone (2 Timothy 2:2)
Being discipled by someone (Luke 9:23-25)
Accountability partners (Proverbs 27:17)
Giving (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Participating in missions (Romans 10:13-14)
Go on a mission trip (1 Chronicles 16:24)
Forgive someone (Matthew 5:24, 18:21)
Repentance of sin (Acts 3:19)
Showing hospitality (Hebrews 13:2)
