Groups

This week we’re featuring a couple posts on group multiplication. If you recently began a group, you may think these posts aren’t relevant to you right now. They are. We’ll go into more depth as to why that’s true in this week’s posts, but consider this: Everything has a beginning, a middle, and an end—including groups. Beginning with the end in mind will improve the quality of your group experience . . . even as you’re just starting out.

Multiplication is the topic groups most like to ignore. If you love your group, the idea of multiplying doesn’t sound fun, does it?

Drew Dudley is the founder of Nuance Leadership Development Services, an organization that creates leadership resources for communities, organizations, and individuals.

In this funny yet profound TED talk, he warns us about the dangers of thinking about leadership in terms of grand, world-changing gestures. He urges us to recognize that most leadership plays out as simple but life-changing interactions between people. Most important, he calls on us to appreciate and celebrate those interactions.

You never know how the small, seemingly inconsequential things you do and say may change the lives of the people you lead.

[Today's post is by Donald Smith. Donald is part of Care at North Point Ministries.—Ed.]

Creating a comfortable environment for telling stories in group can be challenging. Not everyone ins a natural storyteller. Not everyone is eager to tell his or her story. They tell their stories out of order. They ramble. They forget important details or withhold the vital parts of the story out of embarrassment. The question is, what can you do as a leader to set your group members up to tell their stories more effectively?

[Today's post is by Donald Smith. Donald is part of Care at North Point Ministries.—Ed.]

It can be challenging to create a comfortable environment for telling stories in group because some group members are eager to talk about themselves and others are reluctant. Some people over-share and others under-share. So how do you find that sweet spot where everyone can tell his or her story in a way that leads to deeper connection within the group?

Have you ever struggled to figure out what your group should study next? There’s no need to struggle again. We’ve added a group resources site to GroupLeaders.org. Check it out by clicking Resources in the blue ribbon at the top of this page.

We’re exploring new names for our environment known as Theopraxis. The current name is clever, but not all that clear. If you can help us come up with a new name, not only will you get a $25 gift card but you’ll be famous!

This is awesome . . .

Mother’s Day Family Baptism from North Point Online on Vimeo.

If you want to grow spiritually, it’s important that you focus on your relationships with God, other believers, and unbelievers. These are the Three Vital Relationships.

This video provides a beautiful picture of what it looks like to invest in the lives of those outside the faith so they can experience Jesus’ love through us. I thought it would be a great way to start the week.

In the first post in this series, I wrote about how it’s important to work with your group members to find the right frequency and direction for your summertime meetings. If you haven’t read it, go check it out before reading this post.

Back? Okay. Summer is a busy time of year for most people. If you don’t make accommodations, you and your group members may end up frustrated with the group’s inability to maintain traction through the summer months.

This month we’re exploring the challenges of leading groups during the summertime, when life is jam-packed with holidays, vacations, and children’s activities.

During the first couple groups my wife and I led, summertime was a major source heartburn. When we sat down with our group members in May to look at our calendars and make plans, everyone was gung-ho to continue meeting and working through a study during the summer months. By the time June landed, their previous enthusiasm wasn’t reflected in their attendance. It was common for only two or three couples to be available on any given group night.