We live in a complex, sometimes complicated world. We believe that more is better, so we often end up with a "supersize me" mentality. The technology that promised to organize and simplify our lives has left many with more information and activity than can be processed in a 24-hour period. While we find ourselves busier than ever before, we often question what we're accomplishing and whether it's making a difference.  Sadly, many churches today are paralyzed by this. Instead of thriving in the process of growing disciples, they find themselves entrenched in complex strategies and programs that leave people weary or disenchanted with the church.

In their book, Simple Church, Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger call the church to simplify and thrive by developing a ministry process that operates on four concepts: Clarity > Movement > Alignment > Focus. After working through the book with our church staff, I developed four training sessions to introduce the concepts of Simple Church to our small group leaders, called Body Building. Each 1½-hour session focuses on one of the four concepts. I'll share the other sessions in future entries.

This first session is about clarity. It's essential that your ministry process can be communicated and understood not only by your leaders but your congregation as well. Everyone must clearly know: What are we trying to do and how are we going to do it? Try this training activity to get everyone on the same page. You'll need: 

• Bagged Legos -- enough for each group of 6 to share; 
• Building Assignment Envelopes, each with a different word enclosed -- Church, Disciple, Spiritual House, Body of Christ, Royal Priesthood, Bride of Christ. Rephrase these as needed to fit your church's "language."      
• a bell or timing device that can be heard by everyone

Have everyone get into groups of up to 6. Give each group a Building Assignment Envelope and a bag of Legos. Have each group sit around a table, and choose a team captain, who'll open and read the assignment - but not until later.
When the bell rings, building will begin. No-one may talk. The captain will have 30 seconds to start the building. From there, proceed right to left around the table, giving each person 30 seconds to build. The bell will sound every 30 seconds until everyone has had a chance to build.

Now, have your captains open their assignments and share them with the group. Teams will now have up to 5 minutes to talk and work together to complete their assignments. When groups are done, have them take 10 minutes to discuss the following questions together:

• How successful was your building project?
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of your process?
• What would have made the assignment easier or more productive?
• What suggestions would you make for our next building project?
  After 10 minutes, regain your groups' attention, and have them share their answers.

Using Ephesians 4: 11-12 and Colossians 2: 6-7, lead participants through each section of the "building assignment." Stress that in order to build successfully, we must understand the desired outcome, which also means setting measurable goals and being willing to evaluate progress along the way. If your church already has a purpose and process in place, this is a good time to review it with your leaders. Share goals, progress, and ways that you communicate. If your church does not have these things in place, this is also a good time to get that discussion started.

Spend some time with your leaders identifying what a disciple is. Give groups 5-7 minutes to develop an acronym with the word DISCIPLE, and then have each group share afterward. When I taught this session, I shared the acronym Josh Hunt identifies in his book Disciple-Making Teachers: DISCIPLES are . . . Disciplined in daily life, enjoy Intimate friendships, have Self-esteem that reflect God's view, are involved in Corporate worship, experience Intimate family life, feel true Passion for God, are involved in Lay ministry, have Evangelistic interests, and are committed to Sacrificial giving.

Conclude this leadership training session with a call for the leaders to clearly know and model the discipleship they want to see happen in their groups. You can try your own idea, but I modeled Hunt's example above by lining up nine dominos, each one representing a different component of the disciple's life, and then put this question (which Josh also uses) to the group:

• If your goal is to knock down all nine dominoes, but you can only touch one, which one would it be?

The answer is obvious but leaves a powerful impression to those watching. Upon hitting the first domino -- Discipline -- the rest topple over in procession.

As leaders, we'll never be able to accomplish something in others' lives that doesn't exist in our own. As clearly as we must know and communicate our purpose in making disciples, we must also clearly be disciples.

Close the session with prayer, allowing everyone time to commit themselves to Jesus as his disciples, and asking God to use them effectively in the lives of others.

Jean Harris is a Curriculum Ambassador for Group. She currently serves as women's ministry team leader, Sunday school teacher, and children's ministry volunteer at Pendleton Street Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina.