One of the best ways to make your small group more healthy and exciting is to share ownership with everyone.  Sharing ownership impacts your group in the following ways: (1) more consistency of attendance and participation, (2) more involvement in the discipleship process, (3) opportunities to recognize and utilize our own spiritual gifts and talents, (4) more opportunity to be …

Christmas is coming. What will your small group(s) be doing to prepare for this important time of the year? Many groups struggle with meeting and studying over the holidays, and this can be detrimental to the health of your group! Not only that, but this is a prime time of the year to help your group members grow in their faith …

Why do people decide to get involved in a small group? Perhaps the real reasons are much deeper than we at first think. This morning after my men’s group ended, my friend Jim and I sat and talked for another hour or so. He made a passing comment that really got me thinking about this. “I got into this group …

I’ve found two boosters that, when either is utilized separately, develops more authentic community, spiritual growth, accountability, a deeper prayer life, leader development, and multiplication. But when these two are used together, they turbocharge your group for carrying out Christ’s mission and bearing much fruit.  Share Leadership with a Core Team Never lead alone. Solo leadership leads to ineffectiveness, lack …

I had the privilege of editing the leader’s guide and “combat journal” for “gods at war,” a new DVD-based study from City On A Hill Productions, narrated by Kyle Idleman. The small group material was written by Ross Brodfuehrer, who did an incredible job developing this curriculum. From the City on a Hill website: In a new twist to the …

The editor at SmallGroups.com recently posted on Facebook, “Get comfortable with these three words: ‘I don’t know.’ You don’t need to know all the answers, but offer to find out.” I agree with that good advice, but I’d take it one step further to help your group really grow. (This is a great discipleship opportunity for you!) Rather than saying “I …

Our Jewish friends are celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, today. This is the first of the Jewish high holy days. It’s also a day for all God’s people to reflect on our lives, spend time with our Creator and Jehovah Jireh, and look forward to what God has in store for us in the upcoming year. The Lord …

This morning I’m thanking God for all the things in this life he has given me so far. Like anyone else who has lived 52 years, I have things in life I could be bitter about today. I know that while my specific circumstances are unique, the hurts and pain I feel are common to all. But I have a …

Today: Proverbs 17 If you can’t stand the heat, get out of God’s kitchen! He’s cooking up something good, but it’s going to get really hot! Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart (Proverbs 17:3, New Living Translation). What about you and me will be consumed by the refining fire and burned away? …

Today: Proverbs 15 Summer break is over for my three younger kids. This year, our youngest, Anna, starts high school. She is excited and anxious (worried she’ll get lost in the hallways). Sarah is a junior this year, and Dru is a senior. Both are focused on “what’s next” after they graduate: colleges and careers. I woke up early and before …