October 23, 2023
October 29 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Peter Serves in Lydda and Joppa” (Acts 9:32-43), by Mark Scott.
Articles for tag: Small Group
April 10, 2023
April 16 | Application (‘The Messiness of Ministry’)
Do you ever shake your head and sigh, 'Why is this world such a mess?'” David Faust asks. "Do you wish everyone would just get their act together and do what they’re supposed to do? . . ."
August 22, 2022
August 28 | Discovery
Thinking about what we have studied over the past three weeks in Ezekiel, what is the reason for God’s glory departing?
July 5, 2021
July 11 | Application
The Book wasn’t lost as much as it was neglected and taken for granted—hidden in plain sight. It had been there in the temple all along, but no one was paying attention to it.
October 12, 2020
Discovery Questions for October 18, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Oct. 18, 2020: How To (2 Timothy 2:14-26; 3:1-9) “Don’t Get Sloppy” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What challenge did you face last week? 2. In what way was God’s power evident in or through your life over the past week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 2 Timothy 2:14-26 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Repeat the process for 2 Timothy 3:1-9. Ask the third person to summarize the passages in one minute or less.
September 14, 2020
Discovery Questions for September 20, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Sept. 20, 2020: Pray (1 Timothy 2:1-8) “Does It Really Help to ‘Send Thoughts and Prayers’?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What challenge did you face last week? 2. Were you an example of Christ for anyone this past week? If so, whom, and in what ways were you an example? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 1 Timothy 2:1-8 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the passage as if
November 15, 2019
Start Some New Traditions This Holiday Season!
By Michael C. Mack I love our family traditions during the holiday season: taking a drive to see the lights, decorating the house together, going to local events, and, of course, attending church services together. Over the years, our family has worked to make our traditions much more fun, fulfilling, and mission-focused through the power of invitation. One Thanksgiving almost 25 years ago, Heidi and I got to know a young man named Mark who lived at a homeless shelter. I invited him to some of our family and church events during the holidays, and he enjoyed getting out of
February 27, 2017
Raise the Sails to Lead Your Group or Class
By Michael C. Mack As sailing is a partnership between man and nature, spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between you and God. The term for Spirit is the same for that of wind in both the Old and New Testaments. The Holy Spirit is the wind that provides the driving force of all spiritual growth. You cannot bring about spiritual growth in your own life or the lives of those you lead, but neither are you a passive bystander. As the Holy Spirit moves, you must become engaged in that driving force. As a small group leader or teacher,
February 22, 2017
Gateway Planning
By Michael C. Mack Spending time with God is your priority as a leader. But it doesn”t just happen. Use the following strategy questions to help you plan a time of solitude with God: How often will I get away alone with God? (Weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually?) How long will I spend alone with God? When will I get away to be alone with God? (Be specific!) Where will I go? What provisions do I need to make for getting away? (Asking for permission, lining up childcare, making financial arrangements, lining up a place to stay, etc.) On my getaways
December 29, 2016
2016″s Best Websites for Small Group Leadership
These eight websites are divided into two categories: ministry organizations and individual bloggers. Ministry Organizations SmallGroups.com (www.SmallGroups.com) This ministry was founded by Michael C. Mack in 1995 and is now owned and operated by Christianity Today. The site is the starting place for small group and ministry leaders, and it”s easy to navigate and use. Much of the content is free, and the site also has premium content at low prices. Individual and church subscriptions are also available. Small Group Network (www.smallgroupnetwork.com) This truly is a network of small group point leaders from around the world who provide one another
July 1, 2016
Watching for Signs of Church Health
By Michael C. Mack The principles doctors use to diagnose health in our physical bodies are similar to those we can use in our congregations. Certain characteristics in the life of a church tell us that the church is healthy and thriving. A void of these characteristics would tell us the church needs attention and treatment. Let”™s examine a couple of church health issues that are always important. The Unity of the Congregation: The unity of a church is critical to its health. Disunity within the body brings division, strife, and risk the church won”™t fulfill its mission. If points
May 31, 2016
June Ministry Ideas
By Michael C. Mack Father”™s Day is Sunday, June 19: Leverage this special day to resource dads for their ministries to their families. Or announce the start of a new ministry with dads in mind. One such ministry resource is Manhood Journey (see article in this section). Summer Solstice is Monday, June 20: This is the first day of summer. (Interesting fact: on this day the sun does not set at the North Pole.) Plan outdoor serving activities in your community to celebrate the beginning of summer and take full advantage of the longest day of the year. Forgiveness Day is Sunday,
April 22, 2016
Five Ways Staff Members Can Work with the Senior Minister
By Michael C. Mack Bob Russell spoke at a regional gathering of small group ministers held in Louisville in 2009 about how staff ministers can work more effectively with their senior ministers. 1. Find ways to communicate with him, especially when working through an edgy or controversial topic or situation. Be sure to run actions by him first. There”s value in many counselors. You can gain his trust by seeking his advice. Maintain harmony. Regularly communicate with him about your plans, problems, and victories. Be ready to admit your mistakes when you make them. If you sense a distancing between
March 8, 2016
Surgery and Other Sickness
By Mark A. Taylor “I have visited and prayed with many sick people,” Professor Sherwood Smith told my class at The Cincinnati Bible Seminary more than 40 years ago. “But never did I pray like I did when the patient was my wife.” For some reason that insight has stuck with me all these years, and now it comes into sharper focus as I anticipate my own surgery Thursday this week. “Lord, heal him,” the elders prayed in December, not long after my diagnosis of prostate cancer. “Lord, keep him in the palm of your hand,” the men in my
August 22, 2015
5 Practical Ideas to Make Your Meetings More Genuine
By Michael C. Mack What”s the most important element on your meeting agenda? People! If you make it a priority to build genuine relationships with your group, class, or team, you”ll find your meetings will be more efficient and successful. Here are five practical ideas: “¢ Don”t plan to start on time. If you open your meetings with an agenda item or Bible study questions, you”re prioritizing program over people. Plan on a casual start to your group by asking people about their day or week. “¢ Include food! Food seems to break down walls of resistance. Eating with your
August 1, 2015
4 Simple Reminders for Small Group Leaders This Fall
By Michael C. Mack This is perhaps the busiest time of the year for small group leaders. If you oversee the groups in your church, you”re probably a couple weeks into a fall campaign. If you lead a group, you”re gearing back up for the fall. Either way, where do you go from here? Here are four simple encouragements. 1. Pray! Leaders can get so busy this time of year that their time with God gets crowded out. Don”t let it happen! Right now you should be spending more, not less, time with God. Pray for your group. If you
July 12, 2015
Group for Women Grows Online
By Jennifer Johnson It started as a regular small group. In October 2013, Hasandra Heyward, a member at Burnt Hickory Church of Christ in Marietta, GA, began talking to women experiencing marital issues, job struggles, and parenting problems. “It burdened my heart,” she says. “I prayed and fasted about it and decided I was going to start a group for women in my home. But it was difficult to find a time that worked, and here in Atlanta the traffic is so terrible I knew some women wouldn”t be able to participate. I thought, what about trying this online?” Heyward
May 29, 2015
Students Stoked about Pepperdine”s “˜Surf Chapel”
By Jennifer Johnson Three years ago, Grant Waggoner, an alumnus and employee of Pepperdine University (Malibu, CA), began mentoring a few students at the school. This “small group” shared a love of surfing, and one of the guys eventually invited his professor, Dr. Robert Shearer. “Grant and I began sharing leadership of the group,” Shearer, assistant professor of decision science, says. “Last year he got married and moved, but I”m at Zuma Beach, about 15 minutes north of the Pepperdine campus, every Wednesday morning at 7:30. This year we”ve been averaging 100 students each week.” There are no classes on
April 21, 2015
The Incredible Opportunity of “I Don”t Know”
By Michael C. Mack It”s been said that teachers and facilitators should get comfortable with the words “I don”t know.” When someone asks a question in a small group or class, it”s one of the best discipleship opportunities you will ever have! Rather than saying, “I don”t know, but I”ll find out,” try saying, “I don”t know, but let”s all research that before our next meeting. Here are some places you might find the answer. . . .” Suggest Bible passages to look up, sound biblical websites to explore, or a minister (or other leader or professor who is known
March 1, 2015
Take Advantage of Special Days to Launch New Groups!
By Michael C. Mack There are several key seasons for launching new small groups or classes, says Mark Howell, pastor of communities at Canyon Ridge Christian Church in Las Vegas, Nevada, and founder of SmallGroupResources.net. The end of September/beginning of October is a great time to help new arrivals connect through new groups. The end of January/first part of February is a great time to help New Year”s resolution and “turn-over-a-new-leaf” people take a spiritual next step. Right after Easter is another good time to run a small group connection or launch new groups. Special days like Mother”s Day and
