Group Leadership

November 5, 2020

Three Guidelines for Talking About the Election in Your Group

By Will Johnston

I once convinced someone to switch to my political party by berating their beliefs and saying that they must be stupid if they didn’t come around to my way of thinking.

Find that hard to believe?

Me too. It didn’t happen. I’ve actually never seen that strategy work, although that doesn’t seem to stop people from trying it out.

There’s a good chance that your small group members don’t all agree on politics. Even if you think they do, they might not actually. I’ve got friends who are tight-lipped about their politics because they live in an area where their livelihoods would be impacted if they were too open.

Things are crazy right now. We’re all a little unsettled. We’re not sure what direction our country is going or how this election season is going to play out.

You’ve probably heard the old adage to avoid discussing religion and politics in polite company, but small group isn’t polite company. At it’s best, it’s the people we can be the most real with, and politics has a real impact on our lives. It matters, and if it matters, then it’s fair game for groups.

That doesn’t mean every group needs to discuss politics, but you should be ready in case it comes up. Here are three simple guidelines to keep your group discussion from going the way of the comments on nearly every Facebook post about politics.

Focus on “I” rather than “you” or “they.”

Keep the conversation focused on who each person supports, why they support them, and even why they don’t support the other person. For example:

“I supported Donald Trump because I think he has the best plan for XYZ.”
“I voted for Joe Biden because I believe he better reflects ABC.”
“My concern about Trump/Biden is that he DEF, and I think that reveals some character issues.”
“I understand why you would vote for Trump/Biden because of his position on HIJ, but I think XYZ is a higher priority, so that’s why I voted for Biden/Trump.

What we want to avoid are statements that disparage the other person or their positions and shut down discussion. For example:

“I just don’t see how a Christian could support Donald Trump/Joe Biden. He’s for XYZ!”
“All Christians should support Donald Trump/Joe Biden because ABC!”
“Democrats/Republicans are for DEF, and that’s just plain ungodly.”
“Jesus cares about HIJ, so Christians should support Democrats/Republicans.”

Do you see the difference there? The first set of statements expresses what I think and why I think it. The second set of statements tells everyone else that they have to agree with me.

Jesus called us to unity, not to a political party.

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be Republicans, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

I love those words from Jesus, praying that we would all be Republicans so that the world may believe. Or wait… was it Democrats? Did Jesus pray we would be Democrats?

Look, I think politics is important. I used to work on Capitol Hill. I truly believe that it matters. But ultimately, Jesus called me to follow Him, and he called me to unity with other followers, even the ones I disagree with politically.

At the end of the day, the world will see there’s something different about us when we can love people with whom we disagree because of the love of Jesus.

Pray.

I probably should have started with “pray,” but the truth is we may not be able to open every discussion on politics that happens in our group with prayer. Regardless, we can pray for our group’s unity ahead of time, just like Jesus prayed for the Church’s unity.

And when a political conversation starts up in our groups, we can pray silently that the words of our group members would be infused with love. We can pray that those nervous to share their thoughts would have the courage to do so, and that those who are outspoken would have the love and humility required to listen.

And sometimes, if a political discussion looks like it might heat up too much, you just might need to stop everyone, pray, and lay out some ground rules for the discussion. Feel free to use points one and two above.

Will Johnston is the Director of Build Community at Eastside Community Church in Anaheim, California. Will graduated from Wheaton College with a degree in theology, did a two-and-a-half year stint on Capitol Hill, and then joined the staff of National Community Church in Washington D.C., where he oversaw small groups.

Group Leadership

November 2, 2020

Avoiding Pitfalls in Group Dynamics

By Group Ministry

By Reid Smith

Community is messy business! Having differences in a small group, acknowledging disappointments and hurt feelings, and running up against frustrations and challenges are all part of moving to deeper maturity in community and Christlikeness. In fact, conflict can be the very thing that helps your group to break through to new levels of honesty and freedom in Christ.

When you trace Christ’s interactions with the Pharisees, His reaction at the Temple with the money changers, and some exchanges with the disciples, it becomes clear that Jesus did not avoid conflict. The New Testament does not gloss over the reality of conflict in community. However, God’s Word makes a difference between constructive conflict and pitfalls like senseless quarreling (Prov 20:3; Rom 14:19; Eph 4:25-32; 2 Tim 2:23-24).

There will be a mixture of personalities and gifts that will surface in your small group. Sometimes the dynamic that is created will function as a conduit of God’s healing love and peace. Other times, people will feel friction as fellow believers challenge them to turn from complacency and sin and move toward complete commitment to Jesus Christ. Both of these scenarios are great, and we should pray for them to occur. However, there will be times when conflict and confusion arise because of ignorance, insensitivity, or quarreling over petty issues, etc.

Let’s take a look at some of the more common pitfalls and how to avoid them so that your small group can be a safe place where grace reigns and authentic biblical community can grow.

Don’t Tolerate Bickering Over Trivial Issues

Don’t allow abstract theological arguments to ensue over technical points of doctrine or trivial matters (1 Tim 1:3-7, 6:3-5; 2 Tim 2:23; Titus 3:9). This doesn’t help to build a healthy small group dynamic and it’s a turnoff to those just getting started in their relationship with God. You can ask those who tend to enjoy this to debate outside of your regular group time. Intellectualism is a good thing and can enrich your small group. However, unless it is coupled with “why” and “how” application questions, it is not beneficial in a mixed group dynamic. Promote safety and err toward discussion over debate. Maintain the highest level of awareness toward those with the lowest level of biblical literacy.

Beware the “Introversion and Argumentation Correlation”

Petty conflict frequently signals that your small group has turned in on itself. For example, if your group is more concerned with the signs and times of the end of the world then with bringing in the harvest before Jesus returns, there’s a good chance your group has gotten off track. At times you will need to dredge the bottom of your small group’s stream so it can flow again by turning the focus of people away from themselves. The best way to do this is to engage in outreach together.

What if someone begins promoting false theology?

There is a difference between someone saying something that happens to be erroneous (most of the times this is the case) and someone who is actually promoting false theology. If a person is doing the latter, address it head-on (1 Tim 1:18-19; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Titus 1:9, 2:1; Jude 1:3-4). The Bible is the Word of God (Gal 1:11-12; 2 Tim 3:14-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21, 3:15-16). For this reason, the Scriptures need to be the standard of truth in all of your small group discussions. It’s important you show love and grace in how you do this. Here are some pointers for dealing with biblical misinterpretations or false theology that’s shared aloud in your small group:

Ask the person to clarify what they’re really saying—you might even restate it for them: “Are you saying that….am I hearing you correctly?”
Ask them to show you scriptural support for what they’re saying. Oftentimes, this will bring a halt to it. If they try to justify their position, invite your co-leader or other trusted group members into the conversation by asking them, “What do you think about this?”
Gently but firmly express the truth and if possible support what you share with a biblical reference and bring closure to the matter—don’t let the individual’s misunderstanding derail the whole meeting. If they are in fact promoting something other than the truth—connect with them privately outside of your group time and be direct in asking them not to do it again. If they’re contentious, contact your coach for support.

Encourage “I” Statements vs. “You” Statements

When restating what a person is saying or when handling conflict, begin by saying, “What I hear you saying is…” or “What I think you are saying is…” Then ask them if you’re accurate. This encourages understanding instead of frustration which can result when someone uses “You” statements (e.g. “You said…” or “You always make me feel…”) “I” statements communicate that what you are hearing the person say is your perception of what has been spoken, not necessarily what has been said (or what the person intended to say). This will help the person who is speaking to know they’ve been understood or misunderstood while fostering a sense of acceptance. Restating the speaker’s comments with “I” statements shows that you are genuinely trying to understand what the person is saying without judgment or accusation. “I” statements also help to express more personal feelings about what the other shared.

What if the group continues to get off topic?

Multi-person discussions naturally meander. Don’t be too rigid. Try to keep the balance between keeping a focus and giving the focus some wiggle room. By way of analogy: a sailor doesn’t hold on tightly to the rope locking the sail in a single position. This actually gets the boat to the destination slower than if one held on loosely to the rope letting the sail fully catch the shifting winds. Every small group has its own pace and rhythm based on its unique chemistry—discern your group’s chemical make-up and steer the study and discussion accordingly. These pointers might help with a group which seems to continually get off topic:

Preview your small group’s upcoming study material and assume you’ll only be able to cover HALF of the questions presented. Ask yourself: “Which half of these questions will work best for my group?” This “cleans up” the dynamic of your small group’s study and discussion time, bringing more focus onto the topic.
Outline what you want to do from the outset of your time together. Avoid sharing as if it’s an agenda. Set a goal for your small group. For example, “In this meeting, let’s explore…” or “What I hope you’ll walk away with by the end of our meeting is…”
Discern a pattern. Does your small group tend to get off topic at generally the same time of each meeting? Does something trigger your getting off topic (maybe it’s an individual, how questions are phrased, or maybe it’s the study itself!)?
Ask the group if they’re happy with the study you’re doing. When a group continually gets off topic it might be a signal it’s time to abandon the particular study you’re doing. That’s okay to do! People might just be bored or disinterested with it. Dialogue together about this. Check in from time to time with your small group and ask them if the study you’re working through is working for them.
Try to link “wandering talk” back to the topic at hand. Look for opportunities to jump in, graciously segue, and take hold of the steering wheel again. You don’t have to bring an abrupt halt to aimless chatter—look for the right moment when you can gracefully harness it and relate it to your small group’s study focus.
Invite your coach to attend a meeting. They have a different vantage point than you and may see something you don’t that provides insight.
Ask other trusted small group members to help the study stay on track.

Avoid pitfalls, not conflict itself. Conflict avoidance has a paradoxical way of decimating relationships and destabilizing the development of biblical community. Rather, keep the main things the main things in your small group’s spiritual conversations. Encourage personal maturity and the missional application of God’s truth. Listen to the unique undertones of your small group dynamic, seek first to understand, and be flexible with how your journey together plays out. The same One who began a good work in you and will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus will do the same for your small group (Php 1:6).

Reid Smith has been equipping leaders in churches of all sizes and stages of growth for effective disciple-making since 1996. He lives in Wellington, Florida where he serves as a Groups Pastor at Christ Fellowship. You can find more of his helpful resources at www.reidsmith.org.

Group Leadership

October 26, 2020

How Video Teaching Can Help Your Group

By Deborah Spooner

Even as our world seems incredibly divisive and the future seems ever more uncertain, this remains certain: ministry cannot stop.

Pastors, small group leaders, and disciple makers of all kinds feel the strain. Months into an “unprecedented time,” we can exhaust the endless need for creativity to meet the current discipleship needs. We can grow weary of continuing to lead well as tension is high, disagreement is higher, and our groups seem to be so different than just one year ago.

In these moments, we can lean on the body of Christ to find encouragement, fresh creativity, and new solutions to meet our varied small group needs. One of our favorites? Burden-lifting video teaching.

What is video teaching?

Our Lifeway video teaching is 10 – 30 minute Bible teaching sessions from trusted Christian voices. Made to complement Bible study print editions and eBooks, we offer as wide a selection of video teaching as we do traditional studies. These videos can be done alongside the Bible study or used as a discussion starter on their own.

You’ll hear about difference making from Gregg Matte, purpose from Tony Evans, doubt from Barnabas Piper, racial reconciliation from many voices, the book of James from Matt Chandler, and so much more.

How can video teaching help your group?

Less Leader Stress

Relieve your leadership burden by leaning on other trusted leaders. By picking a specific topic or finding a particular author, you can let the biblical wisdom of another provide spiritual insight and temporarily alleviate your preparation work. These videos will help with the teaching time of your small group and let you focus on additional group needs during this season.

More Flexibility

You might only need to fill two weeks before you launch into your group’s next focus. Video options let you do this. Or, maybe you want to fill a 6 – 8 week time slot. Videos let you do this. From the wide variety of topics and authors, you can find seasonally relevant videos, teaching specific to cultural moments, and classic teaching that easily adapts to your group’s needs.

Easier Access

Our videos are easy to access. Through a simple click and purchase, you’ll be able to use the teaching videos. These can be screen-shared via a virtual meeting platform, or they can be played during an in person group gathering.

Personalization

Even if video teaching isn’t the preferred option for your group, one of your group members or a smaller discipleship group within your group may ask you for resources on a particular topic. You can search our video teaching to find particular videos that can be a ministry resource to help meet their needs.

We’re in this together, here to help and support you in all the ways we can—one step (or video) at a time.

Group Leadership

October 23, 2020

Custom Church Resources

By Group Ministry

By Tyler Quillet

I speak with pastors and church leaders about their small groups weekly. I keep up with groups on social media focused on small group ministries. I have small group inquiries thrown my way almost daily. I know what you’re thinking: What are these people talking about, discussing, and doing when it comes to their groups ministry? I’m glad you asked.

Far and away, what I hear more than anything is, “What do you know about sermon-based Bible studies? What are other churches doing when it comes to sermon-based studies? Would this be a good option for us?” When thinking through these questions, it’s important to recognize that what works for one church may not be successful for another. You need to know your church family and prayerfully decide how to lead your groups ministry.

That said, sermon-based groups are a great option to consider. For those who use sermon-based studies, the alignment allows individuals and families to focus on the same text and topic in the sermon, small group, individual study, and family devotions throughout the week.

However, many leaders are confronted by the question, Who has the time to write sermon-based resources for adults, students, and children? Most church leaders simply don’t have the time in their week. That’s where Lifeway’s Custom Church Resources team comes in. We create Biblical solutions for the specific calling and context of your church. Whether this be sermon-based, a long-term discipleship plan, a simple short-term series, daily devotions, or more, we create based on your specific needs.

Our team can take your sermon text, topic, or even your full manuscript to create curriculum for your groups that aligns with your sermon. We create studies based on your needs and in a way that reflects the culture and context of your church. This may include heavy teaching content for a traditional Sunday school class, a shorter facilitator guide for a typical small group setting, or some simple questions to help keep your group discussion moving. Whatever your needs, we’ll incorporate your language and your church’s style guide to make your studies look, feel, and sound as if they came out of your church office.

Take a look at www.customchurchresources.com to see the many ways our team can serve you and your church family. On our site, you can view many sermon-based samples and click the “Get Started” button to set up a time to connect. We’ll answer your questions, share with you how we can serve you in this partnership, and discuss what next steps might look like.

What are pastors saying about Custom Church Resources?

“We can do what we’re supposed to do here every day in serving this church and being a part of the ministry here and meeting the needs of the people without having to spend hours in the office doing something that we’re not really used to doing. So, handing it over to a trusted expert who can take it and put it together for us, and we know it’s gonna be good, we know it’s gonna be theologically correct, and we know there’s not going to be surprises. It’s been fantastic. It’s been really good.”

Jim Herndon

Small Groups Pastor, Second Baytown Church

Baytown, TX

“I have been so happy and surprised at how beautiful the partnership is, and how great the collaboration is. I really feel like we have an added member to our team that’s not in-house. It’s incredibly affordable for a church our size….Not only are they helping with the application of the truth, but they are helping me think of ways I could even teach the truth.”

Barrett Bowden

Lead Pastor, Island Community Church

Memphis, TN

Have you been writing your own guides but feel like you don’t have the time, the content has become stale, or the responsibility has become overwhelming? Let Custom Church Resources take that burden from you, learn your church’s DNA, and write your group studies for the specific calling and context of your church. Set up an appointment today. I look forward to hearing from you!

Tyler Quillet is the discipleship strategist for the Custom Church Resources team at Lifeway Christian Resources. He lives in the Nashville, TN area with his incredible wife, Cathie, and two boys, Cylas and Bowen. Tyler also speaks, writes, and coaches alongside Cathie as they pour into and love on those battling infertility through Cathie’s “The Quillet Institute.” Tyler previously spent 15 years as a pastor and is passionate about serving churches and pouring into church leaders in a variety of ways.

Group Leadership

October 19, 2020

10 Ways to be a Great Small Group Member

By Chris Surratt

If you do a quick Google search on “How to be a Great Small Group Leader,” you will find a treasure trove of articles—several of them written by me. But what about being a great small group member? After all, it’s hard to feel like a successful leader without faithful followers.

Leading a group is not easy. I have personally led a group for over 20 years, and there are countless Tuesday nights when I have felt like a complete failure.

Several people were late to the group or just didn’t show up. The discussion felt like it didn’t go anywhere. Prayer time turned into gossip hour, and the list goes on.

I can always work to be a better leader, but there are also many ways a group member can help the leader and the rest of the group have a better experience. Here are 10 of them.

1. BE ON TIME (BUT NOT TOO EARLY).

It can be really frustrating when group members are consistently late to the meetings. Especially if they are responsible for bringing food, or if the discussion flow is interrupted by their late arrival.

On the other hand, it’s also hard on the leaders and group hosts if members arrive too early. There are always last-minute preparations taking place for the meeting or a needed few moments of rest before everyone shows up.

Being on time, but not too early, helps start the meeting in the right direction.

2. LOOK ENGAGED IN THE DISCUSSION.

Speaking in front of a group is one of the most intimidating things in life for a lot of people. It’s especially difficult if the people in the room seem disengaged in the discussion. When I am leading a group, I always look for the people looking back for encouragement.

One of the best ways you can help your group leader out is to be fully present in the moment. Don’t constantly check your phone for the latest scores or stare out a window the whole time. Occasionally give visual cues, like a nod of the head, that you are fully engaged in the conversation.

3. BE THE FIRST TO ANSWER A QUESTION (BUT NOT EVERY TIME).

A big part of being engaged in the meeting is answering questions during the Bible study. When the leader tosses out a question, the silence that follows can be super uncomfortable. It’s always a relief when someone steps in to answer the question or offer an opinion. That answer may also be the catalyst that gets more people talking.

However, it’s important to not be the first person to answer every question so that more people have the opportunity to jump in with their thoughts. An over-talker will dissuade a lot of people from answering.

4. BE THE FIRST TO OFFER TO READ SCRIPTURE.

Just like it’s awkward when no one answers a question right away, it’s the same when no one volunteers to read the Scripture passage. Most of us have the Bible on our phones now, so be that person who volunteers quickly. Treat it like a “sword drill” in Sunday School—fastest one to the passage wins a prize!

5. HELP HEAD OFF RABBIT TRAILS AND GOSSIP.

Some rabbit trails are inevitable in a discussion. The trick is getting it back on topic before the whole meeting is off the rails. Instead of waiting for the group leader to have to step in and bring everyone back, offer a helpful comment that gets the discussion back in the right direction.

The prayer time can also easily slip into gossip if we’re not careful. Help the group leader out by not going there yourself, and also help others see when it’s starting to take place. The leader hates always having to be the “bad guy” in those situations.

6. OFFER TO ORGANIZE THE NEXT GROUP OUTING.

Planning and preparing for normal group meetings is a big job in and of itself. There’s prepping for the Bible study, making sure everyone has the details for the meeting, cleaning the house, preparing food options, and many other varied details that help make it a great experience for group members.

One way to take some of the load off of the leader is by offering to organize a fun outing or a mission opportunity for the group to participate in. This can be a monthly or quarterly event. The leader will appreciate the initiative, and the group will be better for it.

7. OCCASIONALLY HOST THE GROUP MEETING.

Now that we understand how much work it is to host a group every week, it would be a big relief for someone to offer to take that responsibility occasionally. It’s also nice for the group to meet in a different environment. A new location can lead to a different perspective.

8. GO HOME ON TIME.

As a group leader, it’s always great to see the group engaged in discussions before and after the official meeting time. A lot of the time, the life-changing conversations happen outside of the group meeting. However, there has to be respect for the host’s personal time. The conversation may need to continue at a local coffee shop so the host family can go to bed.

9. PRAY FOR YOUR GROUP LEADER(S).

Stepping up to lead a group is no small task. Group leaders are asked to spiritually shepherd the people in their care. This responsibility comes with a lot of weight. Satan loves to attack those who are helping pull people out of darkness and into the light.

Group leaders also have the same struggles and stress that we all do. Consistent prayer is not only appreciated, but much needed. Remember that they are also praying for you.

10. OFFER TO START A NEW GROUP.

The only way we are going to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission of making disciples is by starting new groups for new people. I know how hard it can be to step out of a successful group for something new, but the time is short, and the harvest is plentiful. We need new disciple makers to carry on the work that Jesus started.

Every small group needs great leaders and great members. Together, we can change the world with the message of the gospel through biblical community!

This article first appeared at lifewayvoices.com.

CHRIS SURRATT (@ChrisSurratt) is the discipleship and small groups specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources, a ministry consultant and coach with more than 20 years of experience, and the author of Leading Small Groups: How to Gather, Launch, Lead, and Multiply Your Small Group.

Group Leadership

October 16, 2020

Five Bible Studies for Fall

By Deborah Spooner

We need the Word of God. One way we learn about the Bible is through trusted Christian leaders who have spent years studying the Scriptures. To resource you in this way, Lifeway features many Bible studies made in partnership with thought leaders such as Tony Evans, Derwin Gray, Vance Pitman, and more.

As you search for a Bible study for your group or for your own personal development this fall, consider the timely and insightful options below:

1. The Life of a Jesus Follower

Does Christianity ever seem like a burden to you? Following Jesus is not just about obedience. It’s all about relationships! It is a daily, intimate relationship with the Father overflowing into fellowship with other believers. And that moves us to cultivate relationships with others who don’t know Jesus and share Christ with them. This Bible study will help you rise above the exhausting and burdensome rules of religion and return to the simplicity and purity of following Christ. (8 sessions)

2. The Church and The Racial Divide

In light of racial tension in America, many Christian leaders are talking earnestly about racial reconciliation. The average Christian may not fully understand why racial reconciliation is a gospel imperative. And the average pastor may not know how to pursue it. This Bible study features a multi-voice video series from evangelical leaders that sheds light on issues of race, culture, and the gospel, and equips small groups to take action. (6 sessions)

3. The Good Life

Everyone wants to be happy. We spend our money, time, and energy chasing our version of the good life. And on the way, we run ourselves into physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. But what if the happiness we’re all striving for isn’t the happiness we were created for? Pastor and author Dr. Derwin L. Gray believes there is a better road to happiness, and it is found in the Beatitudes of Jesus. In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus revealed the shocking, countercultural path to true flourishing. It comes not through wealth, fame, or laughter but through poverty, obscurity, and mourning. (8 sessions)

4. The Prodigal Son

At some point we have all asked, “Is following Jesus really worth it?” But why are we so tempted by the allure of a life outside God’s design? Thankfully, Jesus addressed this question through the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son from the gospel of Luke. This Bible study walks through the parable verse by verse, showing us what it means to follow God and walk with Him in a relationship of love and commitment, and ultimately illustrating that the best life is found in the love of our Father. (8 sessions)

5. Pathways

The story of Esther appears to be a series of coincidences that deliver the Jews from certain death. However, God selected Esther for a particular purpose at a particular time in the history of His chosen people. These resources will help you discover the power of God’s providence in the midst of your personal pain, fear, gain, loss, and love. You’ll see that God has a purpose for your life, and He uses every action and event that occurs in it to make that purpose a reality. (8 sessions)

Group Leadership

October 15, 2020

Sharing News With Your Group

By Group Ministry

by Jared Musgrove

Recent events have tuned the eyes and ears of Americans toward news sources in ways we have not seen for quite some time. As ceaseless reports of disease outbreak, brutal violence, and political fights plaster our screens, believers must be mindful of how we receive our news and what we choose to do with it.

How Do You Get Your News?

As a journalism student, I was told repeatedly that there is no such thing as objective reporting—an accurate assessment. Every person approaches events from a certain perspective—an existing worldview or set of assumptions that shape how they perceive and share those events. A reporter’s approach is no different. Because this is true, Christians must practice discernment when filtering through news updates.

Ask yourself: Am I reading that something happened (an event) or what someone thinks about something that happened (a commentary)? Most of the news we receive today is a mixture of both, if not heavier on the commentary side, with the expectation that you take a side. This kind of reporting often buries whatever truth it contains in conjecture and opinion.

Just as very human reporters craft news stories, very human editors make value judgments about which stories to feature and promote. The decision of what goes on the front page and what leads the evening newscast is a worldview decision.

Understand this when you consume news reports and ask yourself:

Why is this story the lead or on repeat?

Is this report concerned with facts?

Is there good research that solidly supports this report?

Am I being shown what is happening or being told what to think about it?

A journalist’s job is to ask questions, but that’s also our job as thinking Christians reading, hearing, or watching a report. Ask questions of the report, the reporter, yourself, your neighbor, and your worldview, and then make a decision about what to do.

What Do You Do With Your News?

Christians hear news reports through the filter of an objective standard of truth. Having answered the biggest question of all, “Whose world is it anyway?” we’re able to apply the lesser questions that sift fact from commentary—all with an eye toward discerning truth, or at least wisdom and kindness—as we navigate information.

While the bottom line for Christians is truth, the bottom line for networks and newspapers may not be. Journalism is a business, meaning the dollar is often a media corporation’s bottom line. This reality heavily influences reporting. Chasing scandals and political gaffes buffers the bottom line, sometimes at the cost of the truth. So, what should we do to ensure we’re well-informed?

Keep digging.

Steer clear of entertainment news traps and go to the sources most likely to bring you the bottom line of truth. These may feel few and far between and they probably aren’t trending on your Facebook feed. Begin to identify trusted sources by humbly engaging in several. Consult news sources across the liberal-conservative spectrum to better understand how stories are being shaped. How is one network, newspaper, podcast, or magazine reporting this story differently than another? Before reflexively sharing with others something that looks and sounds like a news story, check its source. If the source or the article itself is sensational, treat it with healthy suspicion.

We must also bear in love with compassion (and patience) those in our groups who may be sharing or posting news or “news.” Lead out in asking open-ended questions: What have you heard? What do you know? Where have you found good information on this? How does this align with what the Bible teaches? How will we honor the ‘one another’ commands as we discuss this piece of news?

Even more, we must pray as events scroll across the screen. Develop this discipline. Let your news intake lead you out of yourself and toward prayer, and then act as you are able. Let the news be a catalyst to get you involved in all that God is doing in this world that belongs—without hype, sensationalism, or slant—to Him.

Dr. Jared Steven Musgrove is Groups Pastor at The Village Church in Flower Mound, TX and co-founder and Executive Director of communityleadership.org. He is married to Jenny and father to Jordan and Joshua.

Church Leadership, Group Leadership

October 12, 2020

5 Ways to Multiply Disciple-Making During a Pandemic

By Chris Surratt

The final instructions of Jesus before He ascended into heaven were that His followers should:

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

The disciples stood on the mountainside with their friend, and now their acknowledged Lord, and got their marching orders.

What they had seen done they would now do. What they had been taught they would now teach. What they had experienced they would now pass on.

And so the chain goes throughout history: the story of Jesus and what it means to be His disciple has cut through the generations despite every attempt to stop it.

And here we are today, in our own generation, recipients of the same charge Jesus delivered on the mountain that day:

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations…”

But now we have a mountain in front of us called COVID-19. Our current methods for finding and making disciples have to adapt to our new reality.

We can no longer just rely on a group leader gathering people in a living room or a classroom to pass on what Jesus started.

Those physical environments will still exist to some extent, but if we want to continue this charge to the next generations, we have to exponentially multiply the disciple-makers in new ways.

Here are five ways to continue the discipleship chain:

1. REDEFINE THE DISCIPLE-MAKING ENVIRONMENTS.

I have often used the mantra that discipleship happens best within the context of community. While that’s still true, we get too locked into what that community looks like.

It can be a group of believers and seekers sitting in a living room, or it can be two or three people on a weekly Zoom call. Or it could be two friends meeting up in a park in the neighborhood.

Discipleship can happen anywhere any number of people are physically or digitally gathered together. It doesn’t always have to be in a classroom on a Sunday morning.

2. EXPAND WHO THE DISCIPLE-MAKERS ARE.

Just like congregants sometimes believe pastoring can only be done by the official clergy of the church, we can get locked into the idea that group leaders are the only qualified disciple-makers.

Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2, “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

It starts with Paul discipling Timothy, and then expands exponentially to “faithful men.”

Our group members need to be instructed that they are being equipped to disciple the people in their circles of influence, and then release them to carry it out.

3. EQUIP THE DISCIPLE-MAKERS WITH TRAINING.

Properly training leaders has always been important, but it’s especially vital now as disciple-making has to be expanded beyond the normal group environments and classes.

The training has to be immediate and ongoing. Leaders need to know the basics of starting a disciple-making group or relationship, and they will need ongoing training for the constant changing world we live in.

I would suggest scheduling something at least monthly for disciple-makers and potential leaders to attend.

With the wide acceptance of Zoom and Facebook Live, training doesn’t have to be in a specific location or at a specific time anymore.

4. RELEASE CONTROL OF DISCIPLE-MAKING.

We love to control things as church leaders. Part of it is for an assurance of quality and depth, but part of it is fear of the unknown.

We fear how disciples will be created if we are not in charge of the environment. We fear losing control of the whole process. We sometimes fear not getting the credit in the end.

But the only way 2 Timothy 2:2 will be ultimately fulfilled is if we let go those fears and encourage our leaders to disciple outside of the box.

5. CREATE A DISCIPLE-MAKING PATHWAY.

As church leaders, we need to give followers of Jesus a pathway to walk as they become more like Jesus and advance His kingdom.

In this confused and divided world we live in, we need a clear pathway now more than ever before. People need the resources, training and encouragement to take their next spiritual steps wherever they currently are on the journey.

Let’s not let a pandemic stop discipleship; but instead, let’s use this time to creatively multiply our efforts.

This article originally appeared at factsandtrends.net.

Group Leadership

October 8, 2020

Infusing Your Groups with Encouragement

By Group Ministry

Why it’s imperative and how to implement it

By Reid Smith

We all need encouragement! We need people who speak hope and build confidence into our lives so that we can consistently live in a manner that’s worthy of the gospel of Christ (Php 1:27). This is why God commands us to encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thes 5:11). Encouragement is one of the spiritual gifts explicitly referenced in the New Testament and it’s so important that God tells us it should be a daily practice (Rom 12:8; Heb 3:13).

Human beings are hardwired for encouragement and there’s no shame in this. The Apostle Paul expressed how encouragement was a primary goal of his ministry and how it is a fundamental responsibility of God’s people (2 Cor 13:11; Col 2:2). Encouragement is fuel for our faith enabling us to run with perseverance and overcome hurdles as we run the race marked out for us (Heb 12:1).

Encouragement has empowering effects for our faith and how we live it out. Here are three reasons why we should be intentional and proactive about encouraging our pastors and group leaders:

It reminds us we need one another. The flame of faith needs to be repeatedly stoked by encouragement. Throughout the New Testament, we see how the early believers supported and emboldened one another. Paul commented on how he was personally encouraged and how encouragement filled the felt needs of others (2 Cor 7:13; 1 Thes 3:7).

It strengthens our faith. There is a real connection between the fellowship of the saints and the encouragement we need to live out our faith in Kingdom-advancing ways (Ecc 4:9-12; Heb 10:24-25). Our faith grows stronger in the company of spiritual friends who love Jesus and want to live for Him (Prov 27:17; Rom 1:12).

It helps us overcome sin. Hebrews 3:13 says, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” This reveals how one of the side-effects of sin’s deceitfulness is hardened hearts. Encouragement, on the other hand, counteracts this and softens our hearts so that we can be more attune to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives, hear God’s truth, and walk in obedience. Sin speaks lies whereas encouragement speaks life that is found in God’s truth.

For these reasons and many more, find a way to build encouragement into the way you regularly communicate with your group leadership and create a delivery system for them to do the same with people in their groups. For example, at my church we train our group leaders to do four things with their group members every time they meet together. We use the acronym E.S.P.N., which stands for Encouragement, Scripture, Prayer, Next Steps. In other words, we challenge group leaders to speak life and Scripture over their group members, pray for them, and encourage them in their next steps every time they gather.

You’re echoing God’s heart and words when you call your group leaders to be people who are deliberate about speaking life into others. There are countless practical ways to do this whether your words are delivered in-person or online, by mouth or by text:

Remind others of God’s Presence, power, and promises.
Affirm virtues you see in others and the impact they have on others.
Challenge people to exercise their God-given spiritual gifts in new ways.
Talk about God’s grace, Jesus’ sacrifice, our deliverance and redemption.
Help people develop an eternal perspective and think about excellent and praiseworthy things (Php 4:8).
Let people know you’re praying for them and find practical ways that you can actually carry their burdens with them (Gal 6:2).
Sometimes an uplifting note, a gift, or gesture of love showing another person you believe in them and you’re thinking of them goes a long way.

God is the source of faith-building encouragement and He calls each and every believer to be a conduit of His love in this way (Rom 15:5). Encouragement has a way of reminding us that we are known and not alone. It’s a light that penetrates the darkness of sin’s lies and ushers us into deeper expressions of community where we can be fully known and fully loved. For these reasons and more, it’s imperative you find a way to infuse your church’s community life with this empowering practice!

Group Leadership

October 5, 2020

9 DIFFICULT—AND BEAUTIFUL—TRUTHS ABOUT LEADING A GROUP

By Group Ministry

By Taylor Combs

If you’ve been a part of a local church in the last generation, chances are you’ve been involved in some sort of small group ministry. Or at least you’ve been invited (several times) to be a part of a group, or to even lead one.

While small groups/community groups/home groups/life groups/missional communities (or whatever your church calls them) aren’t essential to the Christian life, they usually prove to be a fantastic vehicle for community and mutual discipleship.

I’ve been involved in groups for years, and for the last six years have had the privilege of leading basically the same group (although it has evolved and shuffled and moved around through the years).

After having our first child and moving into a busy season professionally, we’ve decided to step away, which has brought an opportunity for reflection. The Lord has taught me much during these years of leading.

At times it has been fun and easy, at times awkward, at times painful and difficult. But through it all, God has taught me invaluable lessons about ministry.

So, here are nine things I learned from six years of leading a community group.

1. SUSTAINED TIME IN THE WORD WITH OTHER BELIEVERS IS UNBEATABLE.

In our six years, we’ve worked together through 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Daniel, 1 Thessalonians, Romans, Matthew, and Zechariah.

Yes, it took six years to get through seven books of the Bible. Is that a slow pace? Absolutely. But sanctification moves at a slow place. And to get anywhere close to a thorough understanding of a passage of Scripture takes time.

Evangelicals are, historically, people of the Word. But most of our study of Scripture is done individually. But for some reason when we come together in groups, we think our time needs to be topic-focused or driven by a shared life-stage.

I’ve found that nothing replaces this slow, plodding, methodical progression through books of the Bible with other saints—young and old, men and women, mature and new believers alike.

2. EVERY GROUP GATHERS AROUND SOMETHING; WE MAY AS WELL MAKE IT SCRIPTURE.

As I alluded to above, most of our groups seem to gather around a shared life-stage or some topic of interest. Or, conversely, they gather around meals or prayer.

None of these things are bad in themselves, but are they best? The apostle Peter, in one of his better moments, noted that Jesus alone had “the words of life.” In Scripture, we have these words of life, our daily spiritual bread.

Let’s gather around them and feast together on every word that comes from the mouth of the Father.

3. COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL TO DISCIPLESHIP.

In most of today’s churches, joining or leading a small group is the best way to get community. Is it convenient? Not always. Is it awkward? Sometimes. Will it require something from you? Absolutely.

But it’s not good for us to walk alone; indeed, we cannot. You need the people in your church, and the people in your church need you.

This community has sustained me through good times and bad, and I hope, through it, I’ve helped sustain others.

4. YOU’LL GET PUSHBACK ON YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE.

You cannot please everyone. The first three years of leading, I constantly made adjustments—asking more general questions to broaden the potential answers, then asking more specific answers for the sake of clarity.

Later, I asked higher-shelf questions to encourage hard thinking and vulnerability, then asked lower-shelf questions to create an open and welcoming environment.

Then I tried more teaching and talking with fewer questions, then more questions with less teaching and talking.

Perhaps this is why the first direct pushback I got about my leadership style hurt me so much—because that person had no idea how hard I tried to improve the environment and my own leading for years before she was even a part of the group!

My pastor gave me great counsel about this: “Maybe that person just needs to be in a different group where she meshes more with the leadership style.” I then suggested this group member join another group, and she did.

Everyone survived.

5. YOU MUST COMMIT TO WHAT YOU BELIEVE WORKS (BUT BE OPEN TO FEEDBACK).

There’s a difference in humble leadership and non-leadership.

Humble leadership listens to feedback; non-leadership is held captive to the opinions of others and is too scared to make a choice.

Related to the last lesson I mentioned, you have to remind yourself: I am, under God, the leader of this group. My pastors and church have entrusted me with this task. The Holy Spirit is empowering me for this task.

And, if you lose some people along the way, that’s okay; you’ve been humble, courageous, and faithful.

6. GOD WILL SANCTIFY YOU WHEN YOU FEEL UNDER-APPRECIATED.

My pastors and church staff do a wonderful job thanking and celebrating those who serve in the various ministries of our church.

But, until the night I announced I was no longer leading our group, I never once, in six years, was thanked for leading.

Now, it’s embarrassing to even type that—because it means I know it, which means I’ve been looking for applause.

And I’d be terrified if I learned anybody in my group read this! My pride and sin are exposed by admitting it.

But I’m not alone. We all minister with mixed motives, and part of my motives have always been to be applauded and thanked. God, in His mercy, used this lack of expressed gratitude to sanctify me over these past six years.

If you minister for the applause or the gratitude, ministry will eventually become your god, and it’ll kill you.

7. CONFLICT MAY COME, BUT IT WILL SHAPE YOU FOR THE BETTER.

The hardest season of ministry I’ve ever experienced came with the best of intentions.

In seeking to serve a close friend and member of our group, I jeopardized the friendship. A yearlong conflict, which never fully resolved, ensued.

The couple involved stopped attending our group, then left without telling us. It was gutting. But when you lead people for any amount of time, conflict is inevitable.

Again, be humble. Be willing to learn from mistakes and apologize if necessary.

Take the potentialities into consideration before acting. But eventually, with a humble, Spirit-filled confidence, do what you think is best.

Walk forward with courage; Jesus is with you.

8. LEADING WITH SOMEONE DIFFERENT FROM YOU WILL SHARPEN YOU.

This is perhaps the best way to mitigate some of your less popular leadership tendencies.

I’m a good teacher, but not the best conversation facilitator; my co-leader hasn’t been to seminary or been trained to teach the Bible, but he’s a fantastic conversation facilitator and studies and leads through the text faithfully.

I’m a bit more serious; he’s a bit more lighthearted. I’m infamously incapable of asking a decent icebreaker; he does a great job opening our time together.

Over the years that we’ve led together, we’ve balanced each other out wonderfully, which has been a grace of God.

Our group probably couldn’t have weathered two of me as their leaders!

9. FRIENDSHIP AND MUTUAL DISCIPLESHIP ARE WORTH THE HARD PARTS.

You may have read some of these lessons I’ve learned and think, I’m not sure group ministry—let alone leadership—is right for me. It sounds hard!

And you’d be right.

But group ministry is essential for friendship and mutual discipleship in local churches, and for group ministries to happen, someone has to lead the groups—a calling and a privilege that’s absolutely worth it.

This article appeared originally at Facts&Trends.net

TAYLOR COMBS (@combstaylor_) is an associate publisher for B&H Publishing and is active in the teaching ministry at Grace Community Church in Brentwood, Tennessee. He holds a master of divinity degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is currently a Ph.D. student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

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