by Rick Warren
For the last few months, we have been looking at how to take wise
risks as a leader. Let's review. If I'm going to take a wise risk, first
I get the facts. Then I count the cost. Then I plan my steps. And, of
course, throughout every step, you pray. This month we will look at the
fourth step in taking wise risks. 4. Announce your goal.That's
declaration. You intentionally tell the world what you're going to do.
You go public with your plan and you make a public statement. Why would God want you to do that? Because goals are statements of
faith. When you set a goal, "I believe God wants me to accomplish 'such
and such' by this date," you've just made a statement of faith. [ Read full article]
Directing Your Small Group Ministry
by Steve Gladen
What's your role as the Small Group Point Person?When you read the Book of James see a great analogy of the tongue as the rudder in James 3:4-5a. Or
take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by
strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot
wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it
makes great boasts. It is amazing that such a part of the ship can
steer the rest of the ship. Your tongue, which is a small part of your
body, can do the same thing. James helps us understand that although the
tongue is a small part of the body, it can do extreme good or bad. A
rudder on a ship, which is a small part of the whole vessel, can do
extreme good or bad.
by Steve Gladen Keep your small groups focused on the Great Commandment and Great
Commission by giving them suggestions for accomplishing the biblical
purposes of fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism, and worship. Here are a few suggestions: Fellowship : Think of a different question for each member of
the group. Write each question on a separate piece of paper. Fold the
papers in half and put them in a box. At the group meeting ask members
to take one paper from the box and answer the question. Use simple and
fun questions such as: What is your favorite book? What is your favorite
place for a quiet time? What is your favorite restaurant and why? Discipleship : At the end of a group meeting, challenge
everyone in the group to read the book of Mark during the next week. Ask
them to take notes in response to the question, "What did you learn
about Jesus that you didn't know before?" Talk about their answers at
the next meeting. [ Read full article]
By Lance Witt
Your ministry is not your life. Jesus is. In Colossian 3:4 Paul said
"When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with
him in glory" (NIV). Notice the words "Christ, who is your life." Jesus
is my life. He is the center of my universe and everything revolves
around my relationship with him. My whole life has been surrendered to
him as my king and Lord. He is my life.
I was crystal clear about this when I went into ministry as a young
man. But there have certainly been seasons through the years where I
lost that clarity. My ministry became my identity. My ministry became my
first love. My ministry consumed all my spiritual passion. My ministry
(not Jesus) was my life. The unintended byproduct during those seasons
was a slow disconnect from Jesus.
Looking for a small group study? We feature new material every month.
Books, websites, and videos of interest to those directing small group ministries. |