By Bill Search Group leaders don’t just fall from the sky. I wish they did, but they don’t. In fact, the number one way that group leaders emerge is when other group leaders find them. Let me speak to you as a group leader in what to look for in future group leaders because these people are probably in your … Read More
SMALL GROUP TIP #26: EVALUATING THE MISSIONAL HEART OF THE GROUP
By Bill Search Cultivating a heart for others is probably the most difficult pattern in any group. Getting together for the social stuff, or for the bible study, that’s fun, enjoyable, and natural for most groups. But the missional pattern of cultivating a heart for others, well, that’s a little more tricky.
SMALL GROUP TIP #25: DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS
By Bill Search Once you’ve discovered the future leader in your group, the next question is what do you do with them? How do you get them involved in the art of leadership?
SMALL GROUP TIP #23: CULTIVATING MISSIONAL HEARTS OUTSIDE OF THE GROUP TIME
By Bill Search There are some things that your group can do outside of group time to help build the missional pattern, to help the members of your group cultivate hearts for other people.
SMALL GROUP TIP #10: HOW TO BEST END A GROUP
By Bill Search All groups come to an end. It’s not the sign of failure, it’s not the sign of bad leadership, it’s just the normal life cycle of a group. Schedules change. People get involved in other activities. People move away. Groups come to an end. If it’s time for your group to come to an end, let me … Read More
SMALL GROUP TIP #14: LEADING GREAT DISCUSSION
By Bill Search At the heart of the relational pattern of connecting with one another is leading a great discussion. Here on some tips on how to do that: Know the point of the discussion. If you’re using the curriculum guide or a video or something, it should always tell you “this is the main point.” This is the bulls … Read More
SMALL GROUP TIP #16: ACTIVE LISTENING
By Bill Search Great discussions involve two key pieces: the first is asking good questions, but the second is active listening. Let me give you some counsel on how to be an active listener. Look at the person who’s talking. Make eye contact with them. Don’t thumb furiously through your copy of the scriptures, answer e-mails on your phone, or … Read More
SMALL GROUP TIP #17: CONDUCTING THE PRAYER TIME
By Bill Search Now let’s talk about how to have a great prayer time in your group. Leave an adequate amount of time. The first step is to make sure you leave an adequate amount of time at the end of your group for a good prayer time. When your group first starts, maybe 15 minutes is adequate. What you’ll … Read More
SMALL GROUP TIP #22: CONFRONTING MEMBERS IN YOUR GROUP
By Bill Search Confronting is one of the scariest parts of any small group experience, and maybe that’s why a friend of mine coined the term “carefrontation.” The idea is that you merge caring and confronting together, and you carefront somebody.
SMALL GROUP TIPS #21: CHALLENGING PERSONALITIES
By Bill Search I want you to be on the lookout for a handful of, say, personality types that if left unchecked could do great damage to your group.