Blog

Tip 13: Confessing Your FaultsEveryone sins or does things wrong. The group should be a safe place to talk about areas that need improvement. Talking about sin brings it out ...

Tip 12: Group Check-In #2Just like a car needs a tune-up, your group needs a mid-course check-up.Biblical references: • 1 Corinthians 11:28—Examine yourself before coming to the communion table • ...

Tip 11: PrayerUse creativity and different techniques when you pray as a group in order to expand people’s understanding of what prayer can be and to deepen the connection with ...

Tip 10: Helping Others Take “Growth Risks”Definition: A growth risk is any action or statement, new or out of your comfort zone, that has a possibility of a negative outcome. ...

Tip 9: Responding to Someone Who Is HurtingDefinition: Responding to someone who is hurting means allowing them to express and process their pain in the context of the group. Emotional ...

Tip 8: Helping and Supporting Each OtherDefinition: Helping and supporting each other is another level of the “being attentive” skill. It means providing practical help and support, including wisdom or ...

Tip 7: Giving and Receiving FeedbackDefinition: Giving feedback is noticing and expressing what you think, feel, or perceive about someone for their benefit and awareness. It may be positives or ...

Tip 6: Calling Out the Best in OthersDefinition: Calling out the best in others is part affirmation and part invitation— affirming something in someone and asking them to keep bringing ...

Tip 5: Asking Good QuestionsDefinition: There are two types of questions you should ask during your group meetings. They are questions that: • Discover more information (information exchange) • Explore ...

Tip 4: Group Check-In #1Definition:A group “check-in” is a regularly scheduled “snapshot.” It’s a time at the end of a meeting (approximately 15 minutes) in which the group evaluates how ...

Tip 3: Telling Your Story (Without Going On and On)Definition: Telling your “story” means telling people about those significant events and relationships that have shaped you in the past and ...

Tip 2: Being AttentiveDefinition: Being attentive is noticing and naming what is happening in both the group process and in individuals.Biblical references: • Proverbs 4:1 and 5:1—God wants us to ...

Tip 1: Active ListeningDefinition: Active listening is communicating to someone that you hear what they are saying so they feel heard and understood.Biblical references: • James 1:19— “. . . ...

Session 3: Setting Ground RulesSession 3 includes the following video segments: What are Ground rules (22 minutes) How’d It Go? (1 minute) Closing Thoughts (2 minutes) “Segment One: What Are ...

Session 2: Five Habits of Life-changing GroupsFive habits that create a grace-filled, truth-telling group:Care • Being “for” each other • Encouraging each other • Coming alongside one anotherSafety • Having ...

Session 1: Getting connected–God’s purpose for small groupsWelcome to Making Your Small Group Work! We are excited to begin the journey with you and your group. This resource is designed ...