- Keep praying for those in your small group. Do a list. Find out their needs/passions and hardships. Keep at it. Let them know you’re praying for them.This will be such a support to them.
- Keep in touch, even if you’re not meeting, you can still e-mail, text, Facebook, Tweet, Skype, Facetime or whatever the verb for using What’sApp is – what I’m saying is, there’s no excuse nowadays.
- Keep an eye on those who might be either particularly vulnerable or lonely. They might never ask for help but very often if you pay attention, you will see their need.
Category: Small Groups
Summer Small Group Ideas
Usually the summer – i.e. month of August can be an opportunity to take a break and come back hungry and refreshed. In our modern world people take holidays at different times through the year so we need to be flexible about the meeting/diary choice. So here are some suggestions I can make:
- do something different! chose something that suits your demographics/context
- take turns to lead on a topic that someone is passionate about
- run the group as a book club: either reading a skinny book/month or study a short book in the bible (Ruth, 2 Peter, Philippians)
- watch a suitable Christian DVD (Walk Across the Room) and discuss afterwards
- take time to have a social
- invite a guest to talk about a ministry/mission
- invite a guest to tell their ‘life story’
- use the month to serve together in a practical way: i.e. spruce up Hunter St.; do hardening for ill people
- plan a lunch together after church one Sunday
- rotate venues for more variety
- pray personally every day for 1-2 people in your group
- text/email them with an encouragement/bible verse
- visit another group(s) that are still going on over the summer
- offer your practical services: taking someone shopping, help with garden or DIY
- use the time allocated to the small group meeting to catch-up each week with one of your fellow small group members not away on holiday
- use the time allocated to the small group meeting to go visit someone who is unwell
- do a personal Bible study in the ‘one another’ of the New Testament – Google it
- if you’re a current leader/aspiring leader in a small group – why not read a small group book (anything by Donahue/Robinson would do)
- offer to babysit for a young couple in the church – giving them an opportunity for a break
- use the time allocated to input spiritually into your own family: movie/prayer/reading
Caring in Small Groups
Some of the best care in small groups is done in-between meetings. As leaders and members, we are responsible to model, encourage and inspire care.
Paul brings a brilliant exhortation in Philippians 2:1-4.:‘1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.’
Some of the suggested activities might not be appropriate for all – but you could encourage others in your small group to serve in these ways:
- Casual visit – ‘dropping by to see how you are’
- Prearranged visit – ‘may I call to see you this afternoon’
- Phone call – ‘I’m just checking to se that you’re ok’
- Card – ‘Just to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers’
- Flowers – ‘these may express what I find difficult to say in my own words’
- Deliver a meal – ‘this may help relieve some of the presure’
- Sharing in a task – ‘Can you help me/can I help you?’
- Meeting for a meal/coffee – ‘let’s do lunch…’
- Social Together – ‘going to play some golf, concert, etc’
- Babysitting – ‘why don’t you both have some time together’
- Practical help – ‘how can I help?’