Never Too Far Gone - Paul's Conversion
This is the first week of our Winter Community Group break.
As we enter this season of celebration, enjoy your time with family and friends!
Our new Community Group Trimester begins January 14th.
Persecution and Christianity
This week’s discussion is about persecution and Christianity.
While we face certain types of persecution in America, there are also many Christians around the world who are suffering greatly for Christ.
As you spend time in prayer with your group this week, spend some time also praying for presecuted Christian’s around the world.
It may be helpful to read the prayer guide below with your group about 5 ways to pray for persecuted Christians.
This is the last week of the Fall Community Group Trimester.
Make sure to take time this week to discuss what’s next for your group:
Holiday gathering dates/plans
Start date for next trimester (January 14th)
Multiplication plans
Prayer/encouragement partners for staying connected during the holiday break
Church Problems
We have 2 weeks of the fall trimester left of group.
What’s next for your group?
Make sure to take time this week and next discussing your plans for next trimester, new leaders, multiplication details, holiday social plans, reviewing growth goals.
What Every Church Must Look Like
This week’s sermon focused on core practices of the early church, including:
eating together
celebrating communion together
meeting each others needs
praying together
In addition to or instead of group discussion, your group might consider:
sharing a meal together
celebrating communion
asking each other if there are any needs you can help each other meet
spending extended time praying together
The Spirit-Filled Church
It is easy to meet each week and forget why were are meeting and what we are trying to accomplish.
Before you jump into discussion this week, what areas below might it be helpful to recast vision to your group?
Reminder of the goal of group: Apply the Bible, Build Relationships, Care for Each other
Remind the group we want to invite others: Ask who they are inviting? Ask who they know who could be helped by joining the group? Encourage them to invite others they meet on Sundays.
Remind your group of the vision or plan to multiply in the future: When is this going to happen? What is your groups plan? Who might consider leading?
Remind them group is not about meetings but relationships: Encourage or assign partners during the week to checkin with each other, pray for and with each other, get together.
Remind of upcoming socials: What is your group doing outside of your weekly schedule to build relationships and care for each other?
God's Gift To His Church
Whether you are new to facilitating group discussions, or you have been doing this for a while, here are some good reminders of how to lead a great discussions.
7 Tips For Great Discussions
Get comfortable with silence.
Be ok with silence. Don’t be the first to answer your own questions. It usually takes time for people to process the question and think of an answer.
Ask followup questions.
After someone answers a question, use follow up questions to draw out more thoughts from them or someone else.
Use statements like “Tell me more”, “What do you mean?”, “Anything else?”, “Someone else?”.
Give affirmation whenever you can.
You may not always agree with someone's answer, but the more you are able to affirm their thoughts, the more likely everyone will be to keep sharing. Use phrases like “Great question!”, “Thanks for sharing!”, “I love that”, “Very helpful”.
Try to involve everyone.
The more people you can involve in the discussion the better. Use phrases like “Anyone who hasn’t shared yet?”, “How about someone on this side of the room?”, “Guys, any thoughts from you?”.
Begin and end on time.
Know ahead of time when to begin and end discussion. Plan how long you want to discuss each question. It is better to leave people wanting more with a short discussion than to drag on too long.
Don’t focus on getting through all of the material.
The goal of discussion is to help everyone apply their faith, not answer all of the questions. It is ok to only ask a few questions. Make sure to focus on application questions.
Get Feedback.
After your first time facilitating, ask your leaders for feedback. It’s the best way to keep improving.
