What's most important to small group teachers

I was going to post this as a poll, but when I started thinking about all the choices I wasn't sure I could list a succinct enough list to get your feedback.

I'm working on a project right now that has me considering what small group Bible study leaders (and/or Sunday School leaders) believe is most important for them to be better equipped to lead a small group that is relevant and effective in today's culture. (I realize that may require you to operate from an assumption about the goals of a small group, but you can share that also if you wish as an introduction to your answer.)

Are the participants of small groups you are affiliated helping lead participants to become doers of the Word and not hearers only? If yes, what do you think is making the difference between your group(s) and others out there that are merely gerbil wheel Bible studies?

Is it a content issue? Is top notch commentary type content what it takes? Or is it more good commentary with incredible life application helps?

What about organizational helps? Is this where the greatest need lies?

Is it a need for leaders whose lives are being changed continually instead of Stagnant Stan leading the groups?

What are your thoughts... maybe you'd like to just add some commentary thoughts about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of small groups that you see in today's church.

Your input is appreciated and will no doubt be appreciated... and who knows... maybe if there is some consistency we can turn it into a poll at some point.

 

Thanks for the thoughts Deacon!

So you say it is the leaders whose lives are being changed who are best equipped to lead others in Bible study that can change the lives of those for which they have responsibility to lead?

Hmm... there's a poll for small group leaders. (note this is rhetorical only at this point... not an actual poll, but who knows... maybe it could be)

When was the last time you adjusted your life to bring it more in line with some new truth from God's Word? Or, How often do you respond to your study of God's Word by adjusting your life to bring it more in line with the new truths you are learning? 1) Every time I study, 2) Fairly often, 3) Occasionally, 4) Seldom, 5) Change, why? -- or -- What NEW truth? -- or -- I wouldn't be teaching if I wasn't on track already -- or -- I'm always prepared to lead the teaching activities suggested in my leader guide.

Shouldn't our lives be in adjustment mode as often as we sit under God's Word?

Okay, heres an additional question... overall, what percentage of small groups you have the opportunity to observe are effectively leading their participants toward life change? (I know... it's somewhat subjective, but humor me if you don't mind)

 

Thanks for you input so far... I'm sensing some tension (healthy difference of opinion but no disagreement being debated) over a vision for small groups. In the field where you labor, what is the vision for small groups? Is it a mini-seminary in focus, a hospital, a foyer to your ministry, or what?

(Oh, illustrations would be fun on this one -- like the hospital imagery... statements like, "I see our small groups like a hospital because..." would be fun -- at least I think so.)

I got an interesting email newsletter this morning where the hypothesis of the "author" was that visitation doesn't work. He cited the work of two authors (Tom Rainer and James Engle). Scale says "In the old school, we thought of evangelism as purely a decision. The Engle Scales helps us to see it as a journey, moving people from no knowledge or awareness of God to becoming fully devoted followers of Christ."

It seems Rainer simplifies in a list of five stages from "not interested and antagonistic" to "very interested and open."

The author of the email newsletter makes this point... "This is one of the reasons the seeker model has been so successful. It allows people time and multiple exposures to the gospel to make a decision. And it is one of the reasons the fellowship-driven strategy works. It gives people time."

He then adds, "Someone said that believers and non-believers have one thing in common: they both hate evangelism. Well, they have a second thing in common: they both hate visitation.... It is not true of everyone, of course, but lots of people don't like the idea of us knocking on their door unannounced asking to come in and talk."

The author explains, "This Saturday night I am doing a dinner and a movie. We will have a potluck dinner at 6:00 and watch Sea Biscuit at 7:00. I got a list of members and prospects from my church and have asked a few friends to make some phone calls. If all goes well, we will have a house full of people who will enjoy an evening of dinner, fellowship and a movie. Some of them will be outsiders or peripheral members of the group. I will make an announcement about a couple of Bible studies that they could be involved in. One or two will start coming. It doesn't happen every single time. Sometimes we do this and the turn out is poor, or it is just insiders. But, if we do this consistently, we can double every two years or less. And, hey, this is not so bad. It is dinner and a movie."

He adds, "It works far better in my experience than traditional visitation."

Thoughts... especially related to small groups. Hmm maybe a whole new topic though.

[ January 06, 2004, 05:56 AM: Message edited by: troutkiller ]