1. Introductions Name What Small Group you lead Icebreaker
Welcome to Small Group Leader Training!
2. What is the Purpose of Small Groups? To deepen relationships
with Jesus and empower people
3. Gently, persuasively, caringly, sensitively, respectfully to
listen and to love our members What is our job?
4. What is our vision? To make disciples of Jesus from all
walks of life to transform society one life, one community at
a
5. Small Groups Small groups are: a fundamental part of
personal growth and discipleship a key reason people return to a
church
6. Small Groups Friendships are developed. This is the primary
reason people come back (especially the skeptics)
7. Remember, it is not about us! When I came to you, brothers,
I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to
you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I
was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you
in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my
preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a
demonstration of the Spirits power, so that your faith might not
rest on mens wisdom, but on Gods power. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
8. Expectations for SGL Continue to develop personal faith
Focus on group Prayer
9. Be fully present for group Develop a community of trust and
honest sharing Create an atmosphere of comfort and confidentially
Expectations for SGL
10. Aims of Small Group Leaders Discussion You are the host.
They are your guests. Treat them as such. Non-judgmental Respectful
Honest Authentic Genuine
11. Practical details Common errors weak leadership too
dominate leadership Ask simple questions What do you think? What do
you feel? Aims of Small Group Leaders
12. Potential Small Group Scenarios The Dominant Member The
Eager Christian who shares and uses the Bible too much The Quiet
Group The Chaotic Group (off the topic or off the Wall!) The Group/
Person who wants to focus on Personal Issues One Person becomes a
Group Project --Written by Sue Dennison, San Francisco
13. SGL is a referee and does not take sides in discussions.
Aims of Small Group Leaders There to ensure fair play.
14. Develop lasting friendships with the Body of Christ Get to
know each person well. Key 5 or 6 significant Christian
friendships. Aims of Small Group Leaders
15. Maybe understanding the gospel in a new way. Seeing Jesus
Christ in your lives and their own. May experience Jesus Christ in
a deeper way. Experiencing Christian community. Be patient. There
may be lots going on.
16. Important to set up group expectations 1.No question or
subject is off-limits. 2. Respect everyone. 3. One person talks at
a time. 4. Be honest. 5. Personal information said in group, stays
in group.
17. Methods of Small Group Care Give members opportunities
Encourage growth in: To study To pray Personal relationship with
Christ Relationships within the Body of Christ
18. SGL General Attitudes Be an encourager 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in
fact you are doing. Understanding Affirmation Validation
Appreciation Acceptance
19. Be a listener James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of
this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to
become angry. Times with no religious conversation. Draw them out.
SGL General Attitudes
20. Be a listener Listening empowers members. Opinions are
valued. Gives dignity. SGL General Attitudes
21. Be a peacemaker Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God. SGL General Attitudes
22. Dont argue. Diffuse arguments between members. Validate
points made by each. No arguing allows people to change with
greater SGL General Attitudes
23. SGL Commitment Our Responsibility: Prayer Overcoming
tiredness Hard work Loving everyone Effort Overcoming
disappointment Giving our time Concentrating on group
24. Gods Grace Allow the Spirit of God to speak to you during
the group time and fill you during prayer time SGL Commitment
25. Ask for the Holy Spirit to be present. Be ready to serve.
SGL Commitment
26. Some Listening Facts We can effectively hear 125-250 words
per min. We can effectively think 1,000-3,000 words per min.
27. 85% of what we learn is by listening 45% of our day is
spent listening 75% amount of time preoccupied, distra cted or
forgetful Some Listening Facts
28. What does the Bible say about listening? Proverbs 18:13 He
who answers before listening that is his folly and his shame.
29. James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone
should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
What does the Bible say about listening?
30. Proverbs 18:2 A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but
delights in airing his own opinions. What does the Bible say about
listening?
31. Small Group Member on First Night How do they feel?
32. What are they looking for? Small Group Member on First
Night
33. Greatest Gift Listening ear, eye contact, and good body
language. It gives them value. Allows for sharing Gives a place for
Jesus Christ to touch them.
34. Communication Pie What you say 7% Tone of voice 38% Body
Language 55%
35. 5 Keys to Communicating ervant attitude ye contact elaxed
posture aluing differences mbodyJesuss love Love them thru me S E R
V E
36. If We Listen Effectively Realize that the first thing out
of our mouth isnt want they want to talk about. Must make them feel
safe. Validate their feelings. Understand. Allow them to share at
the deepest level.
37. Improve Listening Skills Thank you to Kent Garborg,
Salvation Army and Steve Gartland, Hosanna! Lutheran Church plant
in Minneapolis, Minnesota 1. Communication Roadblock 2. Non-Verbal
Skills 3. Possible Responses to Facilitate Discussion 4. Skill
Building Exercise 5. Suggested Responses to the Skill Building
Question of Suffering
38. Sharpening Your Listening Skills Listen First Then Respond
1. Clarification questions 2. Open-ended questions 3. Redirecting
questions 4. Reflective/Feeling questions or statements
39. Basic Reflective Listening Formula Tentative Opening +
Feeling + About/Because/When + Thought It sounds like you feel mad
about I hear you saying that you feel sad because of If I hear you
correctly you feel glad when You seem to be saying you feel afraid
about I think I hear you saying you feel confused because of Im not
sure I am follow you feel ashamed about Am I hearing you say you
feel lonely when
40. Basic Reflective Listening Careful not to give advice.
Practice with others figuring out what they are really saying. Not
being manipulative just trying to understand Hearing and
understanding leads to compassion. Compassion keeps us from trying
to be right and lets us sit with them.
41. The better we listen the better we can serve.
42. Provoke Curiosity Encourage Questions Jesus asked 183
questions in the Gospels Answered only 3 Answered 307 questions
with another question
43. Jesus didnt have Q & A sessions. He has Q & Q
sessions!
44. Be a catalyst of curiosity
45. Teachers no longer sage on the stage. Better way Guide from
the Side.
46. 7 Antidotes to Christian Clichs
47. 1. Pray Not just tell people you are praying for them. Be
like Nike
48. 2. Listen more Talk less
49. 3. Dont try to fix everything! I love WD-40 and duct tape,
too. But . . . Listen Just be present while they wrestle, grieve
and reflect
50. 4. See yourself in the Other Remember the Greatest
Commandment was to love them.
51. 5. Quality over quantity Invest time in people!
52. 6. Share generously of yourself Be willing to be
vulnerable. Share your story when appropriate.
53. 7. Be open to the possibility that youre wrong Everyones
faith is evolving The disciples who lived with Jesus changed what
they believed. Be open. Your members could teach you
something!
54. Aim of Small Groups Love who God sends us Lifelong process
to personal spiritual maturity Dont hurry the process. Small groups
and relationships are KEY!!