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Small Group Leader Resolutions
By dave.stone | January 4, 2007
A friend recently asked a group of us guys to share some thoughts about “being a better Dad in 2007” for his monthly blog. I wondered at the time if there would be enough room for me to list everything I could do better as a dad. Like most people, the bar was set high in my mind. The same might be true if any of us were asked about being a better spouse, brother/sister, son/daughter, employee, neighbor, etc. Wouldn’t you agree the thought of creating a list could be a bit overwhelming with 2007 just around the corner?
As leaders of a Small Group, forming resolutions for the upcoming year leaves us with a list of things we would love to accomplish, but like our resolve to cut back on sugar and exercise, we realize we have to put our goals in perspective. Simplicity seems to be the answer by only focusing on a couple things. Here are two questions I asked myself.
How can we as leaders have greater impact in the lives of the people in our Small Group? An effective way of touching people around us is to know them and pray for them. In John 16 we find Jesus praying for the disciples. He knew them intimately, their temperaments, passions, strengths and weaknesses. Jesus was capable of caring for their every need, and yet He brought them before the Father and prayed for them. As we get to know others around us we are able to better pray for them.
How can we better involve people in what we are studying? Finding creative ideas takes some thought (and sometimes guts!). Our group has been studying “Just Walk Across the Room” by Bill Hybels. This study, along with the visit from Ron Hall and Denver Moore, has caused us to get our eyes up and focused outward during our daily mix of life. One of our Small Group nights found us roaming the shopping mall, during the mad Christmas rush, relying on God to show us people to talk to and ask them about themselves. We found that people actually do like to talk and responded to our well-placed Christmas cheer. In this case, a different scene and emphasis helped us learn how to rely on God for opportunities to share with others.
Whittling the list down to a couple items makes the New Year much more manageable! As we discover items to focus on for each unique group we can look forward to the opportunities and challenges God has in store and enjoy what He brings to the life of our group.
– Tim Phillips
Tim Phillips is a Second Wind coach and a current care group co-leader, whose wife Karen is one of Bethel’s newest staff members.
Topics: Inspire |
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