call an "all church series."
This means we choose a topic, book, sermons, and small group studies that all tie together. I recently had another pastor ask me for some recommendations so I thought I would list a few that we have done with some thoughts here.
If You Want To Walk On Water, You Have To Get Out Of The Boat:
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Great book that is an easy read
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Easy to preach with good scripture choices
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Good small group curriculum with DVD support for leaders (didn't love the DVD)
Volunteer Revolution:
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Short book that is an easy read
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Pre-done sermons that are decent to use
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Good study guides that are easy but no DVD support
The Purpose Driven Life:
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Excellent Book that is an easy read
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Pre-done sermons (I didn't love the sermons)
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Good DVD support with leader instructions included weekly
Rick Warren recently sent out an email where he writes about some observations he has had about his church, small groups, and the fires in California. Here is a piece of what he wrote:
As the fires have raged this week, I've once again seen the undeniable importance and benefit of being a part of a small group. While people without a church home or a small group were sent to evacuation centers across Southern California (like our campus), I kept hearing story after story of Saddleback small groups opening their homes to fellow group members who had to evacuate. I also witnessed small groups actually fighting fires together when a group member's homes was threatened by fire!
THAT, my friends, is what small groups are all about! Your group carries you through a crisis! Right now I feel sorry for those who've never connected with a group. It's never too late to join one.
Also, I am so proud of how our 3,500 small groups immediately moved into action in this crisis. Jesus said, "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 (NLT)
(For those of you who asked: Yes, Kay (my wife) and Saddleback staff minister Elizabeth Styffe were captured briefly on video by a local TV news crew. Members of our small group were assisting in saving the Styffe home from the fire in their back yard. You may have also seen many of our college ministry ("CRAVE") students working alongside firefighters on the fire lines.
What these small groups are doing shows me how much our group leaders matter. Lets continue to build into our leaders and each other so we can be better prepared for any opportunity that presents itself.
Posted by: Frank Chiapperino in SGH Update on
Oct 25, 2007
We had one more update to the Small Group Help website this week. The ability to comment on a blog post is now up and running. So you may want to dig into the archives and share any of your thoughts on a topic. To post a comment all you need to do is register with our website. REGISTRATION IS FREE!
Posted by: Frank Chiapperino in SGH Update on
Oct 22, 2007
New content published this week:
- Jon Stolpe, a small group veteran, has just published an article on what we call the birthing process. It is a strategy to help small group ministry in your church grow and a guide for small group leaders on how to work through the transition. You will find it in the articles section of this website.
- Frank Chiapperino has just written his review of LIQUID which is a new DVD driven small group study. It brings all of the benefits of a TV show and ties it together with Biblical principles. You will find this in the resource reviews section under study guides.
- Our FORUMS (listed on the left column) are also a FREE part of this website for you to take advantage of. We really want your opinions and seek to benefit from the expertise of each visitor. All you have to do is register for a free account to begin posting. Glenn recently posted a challenge he is having with small group leadership in his church. Visit our forums and share how you would take on the challenge.
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2365281/2/istockphoto_2365281_checklist.jpg" alt=" " width="119" height="102" align="left" />Sometimes your study guide or scheduled reading for your small group meeting doesn't take you where your group needs to go. We can't view this stuff as a check list. I remember a doing a study recently when my small group was discussing the book of James and the study guide was leading us to talk about temptation. It was interesting because each question and scripture we explored together kept bringing us back to the sermon we had heard the previous Sunday.
The sermon focused on the topic of gossip and healthy conflict resolution. After having two questions in a row on temptation turn into discussion on gossip and conflict I quickly realized I needed to close the study guide and put it down. We completely shifted gears and spent the next 30min going where the group needed.
As discussion leaders we have to be flexible. While study guides and schedules are great the cant predict nor meet every needs of our groups each week. Pay attention, listen closely, and watch what God does!
