Small Group Help

Small Group Vital Signs

Frank Chiapperino — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 00:09:27 +0000

Mike Mack is a Small Groups Minister at Northeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY and also a groups trainer and coach. He’s written over 10 books and his newest release is Small Group Vital Signs. If you’re a ministry leader tying to diagnose why your groups ministry might not be growing or if you are a group leader looking for some guidance on how you can ensure you lead a healthy group this is a resource you don’t want to miss! Mike’s book will truly help you make some changes in the way you think about your group ministry.

In his book he says,

I’ve found that as I lead a small group, I must constantly be called back to Christ’s purposes and plans. It’s very easy to get off track and start pursuing things that are not Christ’s immediate purposes for our time together or the group at the moment. These may even sound like good things, but they are not where Christ desires for us to go at the moment.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy – click here.

The Future of Small Groups

Frank Chiapperino — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:05:23 +0000

Small Groups in the context of church ministry will always exist. However, how churches and Christians express group life will always be in a state of change. Culture, church administration, leadership, and other factors will constantly maintain an influence how we express our faith and spur each other on in spiritual growth and discipleship. Not too long ago Bill Donahue shared his thoughts on the topic:

“It is no secret that there are multiple movements taking place across the kingdom landscape. Only time will tell which ones survive and thrive. One thing is for certain, however; communal life is central to almost all of the current emerging expressions of church life. More intentional than the previous generation, the rising cadre of church leaders consists largely of communal architects, shaping the church into smaller communities for greater missional impact and presence. Not since Wesley’s little bands of the 1700s, the haystack prayer gatherings of 1806 and beyond (starting from a small group of 5 and launching prayer groups still today), and the Jesus Movement of the 1960s have we seen such a church-wide emphasis on community.The small group movement that burst onto the scene in para-church groups in the 1950s-70s began to find a home in the church in the 80s-90s. Meta-church models, cell churches, mini-churches, discipleship groups, recovery ministries, and evangelistic groups emerged. As a result, churches began to embrace group life as important for growth, but still treated this form of community as a program: ‘We do groups.’ The last 10 years has seen a move beyond that narrower focus-where groups are still essential to spiritual growth, but where they are connected to larger mid-sized communal gatherings.”

As leaders we need to be aware of change in our culture and more specifically to the needs of our individual communities. I like how Bill starts his thoughts with addressing that multiple movements are taking place. One of the biggest mistakes we can make is forcing a change in our ministry context simply because it is what is working somewhere else. China will experience something different than what happened in Korea, and New York will have a different experience than Chicago. I believe the best we can do is learn from what is happening elsewhere, and begin experimenting with some key principles, but don’t expect the same result. Here is my approach as a ministry leader when I try to use other ministries to help us grow or solve problems:

Observe another ministry context
Evaluate my ministry context
Apply what is relevant in our local church and measure the result

There is never a “one size fits all” solution. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t take risks, we must take risks and try new things for the cause of Christ. However, don’t expect the same result. Set your own goals and create your own plan using the knowledge you gain from others.

Go for it!

Breaking Free

Frank Chiapperino — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:17:58 +0000

We were not meant to gather possessions and accumulate wealth for selfish gain or vain conceit. Society has taught us to do this and Christians are struggling to get out of this sinful cycle. Use this discussion guide to break free from society’s temptations and live the life we were meant to live.

breakingfree

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Sessions: 1
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Real Life Faith

Frank Chiapperino — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:15:18 +0000

We all need to a refresher course in our faith from time to time. Use this quick two week crash course called “Real Life Faith” to address some growth points for yourself and your group.

reallifefaithstudy

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Sessions: 1
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What Would Jesus Say To…

Frank Chiapperino — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:14:59 +0000

If Jesus were alive today do you ever wonder what his thoughts would be about us, our culture, or the people we admire? This study explores what Jesus would say to the characters on the popular TV show Desperate Housewives, Dan Brown (author of the DaVinici Code) and Oprah. This is a discussion you won’t want to miss!

whatwouldjesussay

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Sessions: 1
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Your Kid’s Private Battles

Frank Chiapperino — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:13:19 +0000

Your kids are struggling with private battles that we never had to deal with. Sex, drugs, alcohol… The numbers are shocking and your kids could be facing these problems every day. How are you going to talk to your kids? How are you going to help?

privatebattles

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Sessions: 1
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Ministry through the Psalms – A Psalm Reading Guide

Brian Hofmeister — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:11:24 +0000

The Psalms help us minister to a variety of emotions that surface during peoples’ spiritual journey. This survey of the Psalms content should help you navigate in and out of them as issues surface.

Survey of the Psalms Overview on How to Read the PsalmsPsalms are musical poetry. Don’t over exegete Psalms. They are designed to be emotive – reaches your mind by stirring your emotions. They contain doctrine, yet are not crafted for the sake of exposition. They are highly metaphorical – appreciate what the symbolism is designed to evoke rather than seek translation into reality. Use the Psalms to express the highs and lows of your emotions. Psalms by TypeKey to understanding/applying Psalms is starting with and understanding of which type of psalm you are reading.

LamentsExpress or presuppose deep trust in Yahweh in the midst of suffering/disappointment
Individual Laments	3; 22; 31; 39; 42; 57; 71; 88; 120; 139; 142
Corporate Laments	12; 44; 80; 94; 137
Thanksgiving PsalmsExpress joy to Yahweh because something has gone well
Individual Thanks	18; 30; 32; 34; 40; 66; 92; 116; 118; 138
Community Thanks	65; 67; 75; 107; 124; 136
Hymns of PraiseCelebrates Yahweh for who He is and what He has done
Praise for the Creator	8; 19; 104; 148
Praise for the Protector/Benefactor of Israel	66; 100; 111; 114; 149
Praise for the Lord of History	33; 103; 113; 117; 145-147
Salvation-History PsalmsReview the history of God’s saving work among the people of Israel
Salvation-History Psalms	78; 105; 106; 135; 136
Psalms of Celebration and AffirmationCelebrates the covenants, kings, and city that Yahweh has used to minister to Israel
Sinai Covenant Renewal Liturgies	50; 81
Davidic Covenant Psalms	89; 132
Royal (Kingship) Psalms	2; 18; 20; 21; 45; 72; 101; 110; 144
Enthronement Psalms	24; 29; 47; 93; 95-99
Songs of Zion (City of Jerusalem)	46; 48; 76; 84; 87; 122
Wisdom PsalmsSimilar to the Book of Proverbs
Wisdom Psalms	36; 37; 49; 73; 112; 127; 128; 133
Songs of TrustExpress trust God’s goodness in times of despair
Songs of Trust	11; 16; 23; 27; 62; 63; 91; 121; 125; 131

Psalms by Book/Canonical OrderPresent arrangement of the Psalms is in the form of the Jewish postexilic hymnbook. Ezra/Nehemiah reform may have been responsible for the final compiling. The first three books are primarily laments; the final two are primarily praise and thanksgiving. Each of the 5 books ends with a similar doxology – the first four doxologies were inserted by the final compiler.

Book 1	Psalms 1-41	All but 1,2, and 33 are “of David.”
Book 2	Psalms 42-72	Psalms 42-50 are “of the sons of Korah/Asaph,” Pslams 51-70 are “of David,” 71 is untitled, 72 is “of Solomon.”
Book 3	Psalms 73-89	All are titled, mostly titled “of the sons of Korah/Asaph.”
Book 4	Psalms 90-106	Mostly untitled except for 101 and 103 “of David.”
Book 5	Psalms 107-150	Mostly untitled, 15 are “of David” (including 138-145), 120-134 are “Psalms of Ascent,” 146-150 are “Hallelujah Psalms.”

Davidic Psalms	3-41, 51-70, 138-145
Asaph/sons of Korah Psalms	42-50, 73-88
God’s Kingship	93-100
Psalms of Praise	103-107
Songs of Ascent(Pilgrimage Psalms)	120-134
Hallelujah Psalms	111-113, 146-150

Psalm CollectionsEach Psalm stands alone with its own meaning, yet many gain additional meaning when compiled into clusters. Like a hymn book, they are to be sung when the context warrants one – using in successive order is not important.

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Sessions: 1
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Switch

Frank Chiapperino — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:10:00 +0000

If there’s one word that describes the ministry of Jesus it would be the word change. Jesus never left people quite the same way that he found them. He left some people healthier, some more hopeful, some forgiven of their sin, and some renewed. To be honest, he left some people like Judas or the rich young ruler, frustrated and bitter; but that was their own choice. Jesus never left people quite the same way he found them.

switch_ht_guide_web

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Sessions: 1
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Supernanny Parenting Discussion Guide

Jon Stolpe — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:07:35 +0000

Parenting is not easy. And there are not any perfect parents. Our parents were not perfect. Their parents were not perfect. Our kids will not be perfect parents. And we are not perfect parents. While it is a fact that we have all screwed up at one time or another through our past parenting, there is still hope. We can make a change today by deciding to do parenting differently from this day forward. This discussion guide is designed to help parents make positive changes starting today.

supernanny.pdf

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Sessions: 1
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The Three Most Important Decisions A Christian Will Ever Make

Frank Chiapperino — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:05:40 +0000

Early in our spiritual journey whether we know it or not, we are confronted with three choices. These choices are not flashing at us like neon signs in Times Square they are subtle and how we choose can have an effect on our entire spiritual journey. Where are do you stand when these three catagories are at odds?

Religion vs. Relationship
Savior vs. Lord
Spectator vs. Player

Whether you are a new Christian or a long time follower of Jesus you could benefit from taking a good look at some critical decisions in your spiritual life!

decisions

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Sessions: 1
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