Small groups build community. Your Sunday morning worship service may be warm and welcoming, and yet nothing brings people closer than sharing in a small group.
In this video, women’s minister Julie Woodruff of Long Hollow Baptist Church describes why small groups are so important to our spiritual health.
In my younger and lighter years, I ran track. Two of my races were the 440 and 880 relay. There were four legs in the 440 relay race, and each leg was 110 yards. The 880 had four varying length legs. As a sprinter, I was given the shortest leg.
To finish the race correctly without being disqualified, each runner had to hand off the baton smoothly and efficiently in the zone provided. If we were not trained and effective in the art of handing off the baton, we cost our team precious seconds, and often the race.
Hardly anyone reads a roadmap anymore. With GPS on our phones and in our cars, we go unfamiliar places by following the arrow or the voice that tells us where to make the next turn. But there’s something to be said for having an overview of the whole trip mapped out in advance.
Likewise teaching. The benefits of having good lesson plans when preparing a Bible study are many. Just as a roadmap gives you a clear image of how to arrive at your destination, the lesson plan gives the Bible study leader a clear path to get from the beginning to the end of the lesson. (Read more…)
You may think that using a syllabus with a small group Bible study is overly rigid and will inhibit a friendly atmosphere where class members feel free to discuss topics that are on their hearts. But bear with me. The syllabus can be called something more inviting: “Class Schedule” or “Introductory Information” or even something like “Reference Materials” if the word “syllabus” stirs unpleasant school memories.
And just as a syllabus serves a purpose in school, you and your small group may find it to be a very helpful resource throughout your class. (Read more…)
If you’ve ever led a small-group discussion, you’ve probably experienced the group that is reluctant to answer questions or join in a discussion. School teachers face this dilemma daily. (Read more…)
Athletes know what it means to eat properly just before a big race. No one would skip meals before the Boston Marathon or face the big day on a diet of junk food.
Likewise the spiritual life. (Read more…)
Unfolding His Word