LET'S CELEBRATE!

Landon woke me up at 1:15 this morning.  By the time he'd been fed, changed, and was down for his early morning power nap, it was 2am. For the life of me, I could not fall back asleep. I was to excited and amazed about the way that God worked in our community yesterday. For the first time in New Life's history, we had an impromptu invitation for baptism, and between the two services, right around 20 people who came forward and were baptized.

2 OPPORTUNITIES TO CELEBRATE:

• There is a good chance that one of the people baptized is in your Life Group: As their leader, you have the unique opportunity to celebrate this milestone in their faith journey. Here are a few tips for celebrating:

• If you don't know who was baptized... Ask!

• Most of us don't attend both services, so send a quick email to your group today sharing the exciting news about the baptism's and asking if anyone from your group participated in the baptism.  

• If someone in your group was baptized, look for a special way to celebrate their decision as a group.  Here are a few ways to celebrate:

• Bring some sort of special desert for them this week.
• Take time in group to let them share their story.
• Spend time in group thanking God for their decision.

• The second thing that I want to celebrate is YOU: I am continually amazed by your selfless service to our community.  Each week I get to hear stories about how people's lives are being changed because they are connecting with God through their Life Group. THANK YOU so much for responding to God and leading.  Because you've said yes to leading, men and women in our church are experiencing God in amazing ways. 

• FREE COFFEE SUNDAY: If you love coffee (or hot chocolate) like I do, read on...

• This Sunday I would like to buy you a cup of coffee from the espresso machine in the lobby as a small token of my appreciation.  
• If you'd like some free coffee, grab me before or after service and ask for your cup of coffee. 
• NOTE: Because of the nature of Sunday mornings, the free coffee give away will end 5 minutes before service begins, and will resume 5 minutes after service ends.

Have a great day, and don't forget to look for ways to celebrate the amazing work that God is doing with your group this week.
-Kevin

Deepen Your Understanding As You Lead Others!

As leaders, we're often asked questions that we don't know the answer to. Don't be scared when someone asks you something and you have no idea what to tell them, NO ONE EXPECTS YOU TO HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS!  The best thing to say when you don't know the answer is: "I don't know, but I'll do some research and get back to you." Below are some helpful links as you:

• Look for answers to questions that come up in your group. 
• Do your preparation for group each week.

Take some time this week to brows through these sites so that you know where to go when a question comes up that stumps you.


Bible.org
258 theology questions answered by Michael Patton of The Theology Program. This site also has a bunch more resources!

Matthew Henry Commentary
This is a free online commentary of the whole Bible...you can look up answers to passages that puzzle you!

Bible Gateway
Read the Bible in multiple versions, as well as links to commentaries.  Another great use of Bible Gateway is to print out passages for your group, so that everyone can do the Bible study using the same translation.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Search this highly respected encyclopedia to find explanations of every significant word in the Bible.

CCEL
Read hundreds of books from church history for free. Also search the entire library by word.

Spring 11 Ignition Traning Break Out Sessions

Below are the notes from two of the breakout sessions offered in our Spring Leaders training. 

Topics include:

• Pastoring People Through Crisis: A wonderful tool for your group leading tool belt.
• Embracing Conflict: This tool will help your group to thrive if tensions run high.
• New Leader Breakout: A great foundational tool for current apprentices as well as seasoned veterans to Life Group leading.

 

_______________________________________________

Pastoring People Though Crisis:

Leader: Brian McElreath

• Definitions

Crisis:  Any difficult time faced by a member of the group due to any circumstance happening in that individual’s life. 

All people in crisis react differently than one another; however, all crisis produce similar emotions in people.

Three common emotions produced by crisis

1.    Anger

2.   Depression

3.   Grief

• Practical ways of working with group members whom are suffering from depression.

1.       Actively Listen

Encouraging conversation can allow the group member to feel more in control of his/her emotions.

2.       Dedicate members of the group to support the member.

People suffering from depression need to know that all the members of the group care about their emotions.

3.       Pray Together for the person

Asking others to commit themselves to continually pray for the affected group member throughout the week/duration of the group. 

• Practical ways of working with group members facing grief:

1.    Realize that true grieving takes time.  Help them to realize the difference between Christian and Secular grieving methods.

• Grieving with a Christian Focus: 

1.   Feel your pain (“Jesus Wept” John 11:35)

2.   Review your loss(Phillipians 4: 6-7)

3.   Share your pain in community (Ecclesiastes 4:10)

4.   Pray for healing from the Holy Spirit (John 14:16)

5.   Seek Reconciliation (Romans 12:18)

6.   Trust God with your future (Deut 31:8)

• Practical tools to provide those dealing with anger:

1.   Face the real cause of your anger (Galations 5:13-26)

2.   Deal decisively with your anger (James 1:19-20)

3.   Die to anger; live by grace! (Galations 2:20)

4.   Break the chains of anger. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

5.   Replace your anger with acts of kindness/service (Eph 4:31)

6.   Fully deal with anger daily (Ephesians 4:26)

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Embracing Conflict in the Small Group Setting

Leader: Brian McElreath

• Definitions:

Conflict:  Tensions or disagreements that will naturally occur when people genuinely begin to share life with one another.

Embracing:  Running towards rather than avoiding.  Enjoying the process and allowing it to shape the fabric and constitution of the setting. 

• Four TRUTHS

1. Conflict in small groups is inevitable.
2. Different personalities along with differing opinions often create conflict. 
3. Conflict in groups must be resolved. 
4. Groups with ongoing conflict between members cannot function normally and spiritual growth can and will be hindered. 

• How should you, the Leader respond to group conflict?

THE MOST VITAL STEP YOU CAN MAKE IN MANAGING CONFLICT IS TO..........

Get involved early as doing can keep the conflict from getting personal. 

• Two Options for resolving the conflict inside of the group setting:

1. If cooler heads prevail by the end of the session, discuss the situation after the group has officially ended for the night.  
2. If more time is needed, call the parties sometime after the group (later in the week) and ask them to consider an alternative solution (compromise of sorts)

• The Principle of TOUGH LOVE:

Leading a group is not simple and sometimes you have to step in with tough love and ask a person to leave the group.

Again conflicts must be resolved and the group’s health and long term cohesion is in jeopardy if conflicts persist. 

• 3 Practical Tips for Conflict Resolution for Leaders

1.      Do not take sides-

a.      If you do, you will not be able to keep an open mind

2.      When confronting know that how you say something is as important as what you say.

a.      Successful resolution requires patience and grace.

b.     Leading with patience and grace compels people to listen.

3.      Not all conflicts can be resolved.

a.      Remember you cannot change a person, only God can.

ALWAYS REMEMBER.......

Honesty and Grace will keep your group healthy and together!

“But as believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent.  The Greek-speaking believers grumbled about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.” Acts 6:1

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New Leader Breakout:

Leaders: Rich Dunlap and Aris Pologeorgis

 

• GOALS FOR THIS BREAKOUT & FOR THIS TRIMESTER OF LIFE GROUP ARE: SUPPORT,  ENCOURAGEMENT, BE A RESOURCE, CHALLENGE & HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE, PRAY FOR YOU

• LIFE GROUPS ARE THE CLOSEST THING THAT EXISTS IN THE CHURCH TODAY THAT IS MOST LIKE THE EARLY CHURCH, THE ACTS 2 CHURCH

ACTS 2:42-47: 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and
miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything
in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every
day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and
ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the
people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

• THOUGHT QUESTION — What are some words or short descriptions that come to mind when you think of someone who is an effective Life Group Leader?

• PORTRAIT OF AN EFFECTIVE LIFE GROUP LEADER

» TIME MANAGEMENT — PLAN AHEAD & SET TIME ASIDE EVERY WEEK FOR:
> PRAYING & READING THROUGH THE MATERIAL
> PRAYING FOR THE INDIVIDUALS IN YOUR GROUP
> FOLLOWING UP WITH EACH PERSON/COUPLE IN YOUR GROUP, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY:
■ OPENED UP TO AN UNUSUAL EXTENT
■ MISSED A SESSION

• ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS

> PRAYER JOURNAL
> NOTEBOOK
> CREATE A CONTACT LIST/DIRECTORY FOR YOUR GROUP
> GOT CELL PHONE ? — GET EVERYONE’S PHONE #’S IN THERE
> INVOLVE OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR GROUP (HOST, APPRENTICE, OR EVEN SOMEONE
FROM THE “GENERAL POPULATION”)
■ WRITE DOWN & EMAIL PRAYER REQUESTS
■ INVITING THEM TO READ FROM THE BIBLE OR THE ASSIGNED MATERIAL
■ ASKING SOMEONE ELSE TO FOLLOW UP WITH THOSE THAT MISSED A WEEK

 

• IDEAS FOR DEEPER CONNECTION AS A GROUP:

■ HAVE A MEAL TOGETHER
■ FIRE PIT TIME
■ HOUSE OF PRAYER .
■ “OPEN FORUM”
■ START AND END ON TIME
■ HAVE A BALANCE IN STRUCTURE

FIRM – Keeping the group focused and on task (jokers, clowns, & grumpys)

LOOSE – Being in tune with your group
(Tangents can sometimes be good, for a certain amount of time)
 

• A FEW COMMENTS ON GROUP DYNAMICS:

> Members should feel that they are in a team. All members are considered equal irrespective
of their hierarchical levels and skills. The team provides each person a sense of identity, self
worth, acceptance and belonging .
> LISTEN
■ LOOK AT THEIR FACE
■ MAKE EYE CONTACT
■ LET THEM SEE YOU CARE ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER
■ DO NOT GET INTO A DEBATE

If teaching and scripturally sure of your position, say that based on the
scripture, I interpret it to mean… and “let’s move on.” If not sure, then suggest that you & the questioner discuss it with your coach.  Do not drag it out because you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. You will
lose control and the group will lose interest.
 

• TREASURING EACH PERSON IN YOUR LIFE GROUP: 

TIME SPENT WITH THEM — Nothing is an adequate substitute for quality time.
REMEMBER SPECIAL EVENTS — Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc.
ENCOURAGE THEM — Notes, phone calls, conversations at church, compliments, etc
ASK WHAT’S HAPPENING — Questions communicate love and partnership
SEEK FOR WAYS TO DEVELOP THEM — This is the primary goal of a healthy LG Leader
UPHOLD THEM IN PRAYER — Prayer brings God’s favor into both of your lives
REWARD THEM — Find them doing something good, and then make a big deal of it
EMPOWER THEM — As they grow, entrust them with greater LG responsibilities

• JUST SHOWING UP TO LEAD VS. PASTORING:

> IT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “I CAME, I SAW, I CONQUERED” AND
“I CARED, I PRAYED, I CAME”
» THE TERM PASTORING MAY SEEM INTIMIDATING, BUT DON’T LET IT SCARE YOU
> IT’S BOTH A LONG TERM AND A SHORT TERM GOAL
■ LONG - Something that we continually strive for and challenge ourselves to
(Prov. 27:17— “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” )
■ SHORT - Use the nuggets and start developing this part of your life right now .
» SOME ELEMENTS OF PASTORING
> PRAYER .
> FOLLOW UP
> CARE