February 2010
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The Small Group Movement of the Year!

Coming to the Washington D.C./Baltimore area October 15th and 16th
and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on November 5th and 6th!

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Four Community U two-day experiences!


  • Exciting, focused learning for you and your entire small group ministry
  • Taught live by working pastors in highly interactive learning sessions
  • Made affordable to meet the needs of churches today
  • A two-day live conference for ministry leaders, and a Saturday-only Leader Rally for all small group leaders of churches within driving distance
  • High impact, no matter where you are in small groups - or even if you aren't yet!
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Articles
by Rick Warren

Rick Warren New 2010For 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.
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Directing Your Small Group Ministry
 
by Steve Gladen

Steve Gladen NewWhat'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 Gladen250 Big Ideas (Steve's Tips)

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.
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By Lance WittStressed Man

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.

 
Small Group Studies Bookshelf

Looking for a small group study? We feature new material every month.
 
 
 

 
Books, websites, and videos of interest to those directing small group ministries.
 
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Questions, comments, or suggestions?
Contact Editor - Cheryl Shireman, Small Group Network Coordinator at [email protected]