by Rick Warren
For the last two months we have been looking at what to do when you are feeling overwhelmed. The first three things you need to do is give up control, look at what God has promised, and let others help me out. This month we will look at the final thing you must do when feeling overwhelmed.
4. Let God give you strength.
Some of you know God will give you strength but you won't let Him. You act as if it all depends on you. You keep saying, "If it's to be it's up to me." Or "God helps those who helps themselves." God didn't say that! Ben Franklin said that. Neither of those statements are in the Bible. In fact, God says the exact opposite.
[ Read full article] Aligning Affinities to Your Small Group Model
by Steve Gladen
 How do you get the most out of your affinities in your church but yet stay true to small groups? At most churches, in their Adult Ministries, you have four major affinities-Men's, Women's, Couples and Singles. As your church grows you start to have more affinities and sub affinities. Having affinities in your church is natural and a common way to structure around. If your "delivery systems" (Acts 5:42) are your weekend services and small groups, how do you use affinities strategically and with alignment to you small group ministry to produce what you want.
Before reading any further, if your church doesn't know what they want to produce in a follower of Christ, then that should be your first step. At Saddleback,
by Steve Gladen  As the New Year begins, help groups get on track by offering them some suggestions for health and balance. Fellowship - Bring out all the spices from the kitchen and place them on a table in the center of the group. Begin your group time by asking members, "Which one of these spices best represents you tonight - and why?" Be ready to get the discussion going by answering this questions yourself. Discipleship - At the beginning of the year, challenge every member to [ Read full article]
By Lance Witt
Maybe right now you're at a ministry crossroads. Perhaps ministry and life haven't turned out like you'd hoped. Maybe today you find yourself empty and drained from the demands of ministry.
There is hope. There is a different way . . . a better way. Your outward circumstances might not change, but you can change the trajectory of your soul. With God's help, you really can bring your soul back to life. Joy can return. Passion can be reignited. Intimacy can be restored. Jeremiah 6:16a has given me a bit of roadmap on my journey back to spiritual health. This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
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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