February 2010
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What Can the Small Group Network Do For You? 

 

by Jay Daniell  

 

The leadership team of the SGN has been struggling with this question since our inception.  It is our desire to bless you and your ministry for the advancement of the Kingdom through Small Groups.    We feel it is an enormous value to learn from one another and to encourage one another.

 

We have been blessed with connections to some of the top Small Group Ministry minds in the world and we would like to share their heart and knowledge with you.  Beginning Thursday, May 12th, at 12 noon (Eastern Time), and continuing the second Thursday of each month, I will have the privilege of hosting a one-hour conference call featuring one of our Small Group guru friends. 

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Articles
by Rick Warren

Rick Warren New 2010It doesn't matter how wealthy you are, how famous you are, how many things you have in life, if your relationships are bad, life is miserable. Very often, the reason why our current relationships suffer has nothing to do with those relationships, and instead, is rooted in problematic relationships from our past. And you will never be an effective leader if your past prevents you from fully engaging in your present. Your happiness, and your effectiveness as a leader, is largely determined by your ability to get along with other people. The Bible is the greatest book on relationships. The Bible talks about building a relationship with God and a relationship with each other.
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The Role of Community in Fulfilling God's Mission

by Steve Gladen

Steve Gladen NewWhy does it matter whether people gather in community and join God on His mission? The current goal of the mission of God (after the fall and before Jesus comes back) is to redeem a lost world. All throughout scripture, community is an integral component of accomplishing God's mission. God works through people to redeem His world. Why does it matter that we work on this mission of God together? Because there is power in "together".

Community coincides with the beginning of time and is rooted in the Trinity. Genesis 1:26 reads, "Let us make mankind in our image". We see at the start ...

by Steve Gladen250 Big Ideas (Steve's Tips)

The most successful small group ministries are composed of groups that are healthy and balanced. Here are a few tips for you to pass along to your small group leaders (or Hosts) to help them bring health and balance to their groups.

 

Fellowship - To gain some insight into your group members, ask, "What three emotions do you feel most often?" You may even find in their answers some opportunities to offer them spiritual and practical support. Lists of options May help the conversation get started. Some positive feelings are: blessed, calm, capable, confident, content, eager, friendly, gentle, lively, masterful, optimistic, outgoing, peaceful, and safe. Some negative 

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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 .

 
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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Contact Editor - Cheryl Shireman, Small Group Network Coordinator at cheryls@saddleback.com