Lindsay LakeHSP305Summer 2013

HOW TO LEAD A SMALL GROUP

People join groups for many diff erent reasons Interpersonal needs

Maslow’s Theory Individual goals

Depending on the desire for group or self successGroup and team goals

Similar goals can coincide with a group Interpersonal attraction

Can be attracted to people in a groupGroup attraction

Group activities and goals

WHY DO PEOPLE JOIN GROUPS

One way the group where I led a Bible study group, Campus Christian Fellowship, brings in new members is by serving them. On move in day on campus the leader pass out water bottles to the parents and students moving in.

Another way is by putting on events to welcome them in.

BRINGING IN MEMBERS

Introductions & Snacks Icebreaker GameOpening PrayerMain MaterialClosing PrayerQuestionsAnnouncements

This was the typical layout of the small group I led this last year through Campus Christian Fellowship. I found having a consistent schedule allowed group members to know what to expect which made them feel more comfortable.

LAYOUT OF A SMALL GROUP MEETING

GOOD EXAMPLE OF A SMALL GROUP

This is an example of how Campus Christian Fellowship welcomed new members this last fall.

http://vimeo.com/16112866

Meet with someone to collaborate ideas and thinkingBounce ideas off of someoneChoose content that will apply to most group

membersTake care of all the little details before meeting

PLANNING THE FIRST MEETING

There is an importance of getting acquainted with people that you are working with

Beebe and Masterson say, “Do more than just announce your name to the group. Perhaps you can provide information about how much experience you have with the topic; or you can talk about your experience in working in groups” (72)

Develop a plan with one anotherFollow an agendaShare information with one another so everyone is on

the same page

WORKING WITH OTHER LEADERS

Use a journal to write out the plan of the meetingDelegate tasks such as bring snacks or sharing

announcements to group membersBeebe and Masterson say, “Groups and teams need

an agenda to help them organize their discussion” (74)

ORGANIZATION

Today there a number of ways to use technology to make planning and organization easier

Facebook allows for messaging a number of people at a time. There is also a way to plan events which group members can be invited to.

Cell phones with text messaging allow for fast reminders about upcoming meetings and what is expected at said meetings.

TECHNOLOGY

SILLY EXAMPLE OF A SMALL GROUP

Clip from Wreck It Ralphhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh4f8SUp-PU

Opening games are a great way to start a meeting.Examples:

Highs & Lows=Where each member of the group shares their high of the week and their low of the week

M&M Game=Each group member picks a number of M&M’s and each M&M color represents a different question they answer for the group

2 Truths & 1 Lie=Group member chooses two truths and one lie and the rest of the group has to try to figure out which one is the lie

INTRODUCTIONS

This is a game my bible study group played where we had a ball of yarn and threw it to another group member and gave them a compliment. At the end the room was a spider web of compliments.

Have questions for a small group relate to what the main material is going to be about

The goal is to get your group members thinking in a way to prepares them for the purpose and direction of the meeting

The questions shouldn’t challenge group members too much but just be there to get them thinking

OPENING QUESTIONS

BAD EXAMPLE OF A SMALL GROUP

This is a video Campus Christian Fellowship made to describe the opposite of an effective small group.

http://vimeo.com/16112866

After opening questions their should be a smooth transition that flows into the main material

Let the main material of the meeting flow smoothlyTry to keep on track but let the conversation go in the

direction it’s heading

MAIN MATERIAL OF THE MEETING

Be respectful of time of meetingDon’t force the end of a conversation but let it settle

then bring to an endMake sure there is time for questionsAnswer question relevant to all group membersMake any announcements that could lead over to the

next meeting

HOW TO CONCLUDE THE SMALL GROUP

Make sure that you take the time to reflect with group members and fellow group leaders on how the small group meeting went

Talk with someone not involved in the group to get an outside perspective

Be patient and recognize that everyone is diff erent which means communication won’t be ideal

Beebe and Masterson said, “Confl ict is a natural byproduct of communication; unless participants in your group share the same attitudes, beliefs, and values (an unlikely situation), there will be some confl ict” (175)

REFLECTION

Challenges will arise when leading a small group so try some of these ways to get the rest you needTake a bathGo for a walkTalk to a friendReflect on your thoughts in a journalBake cookiesPrayGet a cup of coff ee

SELF-CARE

• How to be welcoming• How to work along side of someone else• How to delegate responsibilities• How to organize• How to listen• How to love all people• How to use technology as a tool• How to reflect• How to lead

WHAT I LEARNED

This is a col lection of pictures from the group I led and faci l i tated last year. We had a lot of

fun

MY BIBLE STUDY GROUP I LED LAST YEAR

Beebe, S. A., & Masterson, J. T. (1986). Communicating in small groups: principles and practice. Glenview, Ill.: Scott, Foresman.

Campus Christian Fellowship. (2011). Men 4 jesus. Retrieved July 27, 2013 from http://vimeo.com/16112866

Campus Christian Fellowship. (2013). We are CCF part 2. Retrieved July 27, 2013 from http://vimeo.com/64662774

DisneyWreckItRalph. (2013). Wreck-it ralph: “Bad-anon” clip. Retrieved July 27, 2013, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh4f8SUp-PU

REFERENCES