Small Groups Don’t Create Community"If you really want to experience community in our church join a small group." I've heard those or similar words from well meaning and sincere pastors, church leaders, and small group leaders from around the country. If small groups create community,... Likes [5]Comments [1] TAGS: resource reviews, small group resources, community
It’s Simple. It’s Relevant. Just Like It Promises.After a women's retreat, I asked several of the women who'd led sessions if they'd be interested in getting together for a small-group study. They'd enjoyed preparing for and serving during the retreat, so they were eager to spend more time getting to... Likes [1]Comments [0] TAGS: resource reviews, women's ministry, grace, steadiness, joy, patience, self-control, spiritual refreshment, simply relevant
Learning (and Living) to WorshipThose of us who coordinate or lead small groups are often guilty of focusing our energy on "easy" themes and groups. Character studies. Letters from Paul. Life application topics. Financial stewardship. Or, we become big supporters of affinity groups... Likes [1]Comments [0] TAGS: resource reviews, small group resources, worship
Third Time's the CharmI have to confess: For all the buzz and provenance surrounding them (Richard Foster and Dallas Willard, the latter more or less commissioning this "curriculum for Christlikeness"), the first two installments of James Bryan Smith's Apprentice Series (... Likes [1]Comments [2] TAGS: resource reviews, small group resources, community
(Some) Help for Burned-Out GroupsDrawing on her personal experience as someone who's been burned out, disappointed, and frustrated by small groups, Kim V. Engelmann makes a compelling case for changing our paradigm in her book Soul-Shaping Small Groups . Yet in the end, her critique... Likes [1]Comments [0] TAGS: small group health, small group experiences, small group leadership, small group practices
Helping the 21st-Century Woman NavigateMost would agree that Robert Lewis, best-selling author and founder of the highly successful Men's Fraternity, found himself in a challenging position when a group of women came to him and asked him to develop a resource that would offer women some of... Likes [1]Comments [0] TAGS: resource reviews, women's, bibl, bible study, robert lewis
For Everything, There Is a SeasonGrowing Out: From Disciples to Disciplers . Carl Simmons. Seasons 1-6, 176-200p. each. $14.99 each. Group Publishing. Finding the right small group study is often the "art of the deal" for many small groups. Which is better? A series of... Likes [4]Comments [2] TAGS: bible study, discipleship, mentoring, spiritual formation, character, spiritual gifts, spiritual disciplines, leadership, vision, resource reviews