http://smallgroups.com en-us http://smallgroups.com N/A bryan@upstateimage.com Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:51:57 -0400 20 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1632/1/From_Talk_to_Walk.html Everyone "knows" that the hope for effective personal spiritual transformation lies in small groups. Certainly, there are many people willing to share how their small group has brought them comfort, support, and encouragement. Indeed, relationships are more easily built in small groups than in almost any other church venue. However, when it comes to facing the question, "As a result of your small group participation, are you a more faithful follower of Jesus Christ in your day-to-day life?" the answers often get a bit more foggy. bill@spiritualhabits.com (Bill Tenny-Brittian) Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1631/1/Restoring_the_Relational_Church_-_Moving_from_Meeting_in_Community_to_Living_in_Community.html It all started in 313 A.D. The early church lived in community every day (Acts 2:46), encouraging one another daily (Hebrews 3:13). The New Testament reveals the relational nature of the church in that day. In both times of peace and persecution, the believers did life together as a matter of course. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1630/1/10_Paradigm_Shifts_Toward_Becoming_Lifestyle_Rather_than_Meeting_Focused.html If I asked what the central activities of your church are, what would you say? By central, I am talking about the activities that are most emphasized and that consume the most time and resources to make happen. Those activities tend to become the “thing” church participants focus on as to what church is about. That focus becomes a paradigm for many church participants. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1629/1/Finding_Real_Community_in_the_One_Anothers.html First-century Christians knew what it meant to be in real community with one another, relating with a depth and commitment that made the description “body of Christ” a perfect metaphor for the church. What is the secret to church growth? Real community experienced in small groups. clagerlof@marinerschurch.org (Kenton Beshore) Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1617/1/Group_Graces.html Now, a key thing to remember about “little graces” is that they have no meaning outside the context of community. Without community, there is no need for spiritual gifts. God gave them to you as an expression of love for the sake of investing in the lives of people around you. That is why in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about how ridiculous it is for a person with one gift to look at someone else with another gift and say “mine is better than yours” or “I don’t really need you”. It makes no sense. There is no “I” in spiritual gifts outside the context of “we”. You see, God himself is present in places where each person uses his or her spiritual gifts as part of the team to bless others. boyd@churchteams.com (Boyd Pelley) Sun, 01 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1582/1/The_Importance_of_Embracing_Conflict_in_Small_Groups.html If you lead a small group, sooner or later you will most likely have to deal with conflict in it. Unfortunately, conflict is a consequence of people really sharing life together. Why is it likely that there will be conflict in your group at some point? Because you cannot bring together a room full of people from different cultural, social economic, religious, and family backgrounds and expect them to always agree on every issue. jccatkinson@aol.com (John Atkinson) Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1581/1/Troubleshooting.html Small groups provide a life-changing environment and support system where members can share struggles and encourage each other. Through their nourishment, members develop and grow spiritually and even improve life skills. Small groups also build a sense of family and community. smartwords@sbcglobal.net (Teena M. Stewart) Tue, 04 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1580/1/Deal_With_It.html Conflict happens. You cannot always anticipate it, but you know it when you have stepped into it. The temptation is to avoid conflict, but that is a mistake! The key to handling most conflict, most of the time, is to deal with it head-on and right-away in love. reidsmith777@msn.com (Reid Smith) Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1579/1/Steps_for_Resolving_Small_Group_Conflict.html Tom and Nancy met in their church small group. Over time, the two developed a romantic relationship, despite their obvious differences. When they announced their intent to marry, the group members were concerned, but supported them. Unfortunately, suspicions were correct. rlowry@crossroadschristian.com (Rick Lowry) Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1578/1/Cantina_Man.html What do you get when you combine women, men, married people, singles, recent college grads, a middle-aged couple, Democrats, and Republicans? No, it is not a joke. It is funny, though. It is my small group. MargotStarbuck@verizon.net (Margot Starbuck) Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1533/1/When_You_Discuss_a_Book_Other_Than_the_Bible.html Small groups often discuss books by Christian authors, one or two chapters at a time. The next time your group chooses a book to read--and it doesn't come with a study guide or questions for group interaction--employ the following tips. TPowell@ciu.edu (Terry Powell) Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1506/1/Are_You_Listening.html One of the many human weaknesses is the ability to listen to one another. Think about the times when you were aware that the person to whom you were speaking had one ear tuned to the conversation on his or her left. “No, her name was Susan!” they might have contributed to the near-by conversation. Or perhaps you were discussing something important and your listener glanced down at her watch, or shuffled papers, or walked around the room! What kind of message is she sending? The ability to actively listen and care for one another is rare. In a small group setting, the inability to listen to one another inhibits the development of a trusting environment. Who is inclined to share personal concerns and difficulties knowing that the listening ear is unavailable? diana@leadershiptransformations.org (Diana Bennett) Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1507/1/Listening_Leaders__An_Oxymoron_or_an_Outgrowth_Of_Love.html I used to think that my lack of listening to people was due to either adult ADD or an extremely overactive leadership gift. I figured that some were gifted at listening, I was not, and therefore I could excuse it away. I really thought that to be a good leader AND a good listener was extremely difficult, if not impossible. steve@lcfliberty.org (Steve Rowe) Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1508/1/Preparing_to_Listen.html Someone said that when you’re fifteen years old, you are concerned about what others think about you. When you’re forty-five you really don’t care what people think about you. When you’re sixty-five, you realize that no one was thinking about you anyway! The truth is that all of us spend most of our time thinking about ourselves. Paul the apostle even said, “For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:21). joelcomiskey@msn.com (Joel Comiskey) Thu, 02 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1509/1/10_Ways_to_Be_a_Better_Listener.html Listening is a crucial skill for small-group leaders to master. Here are ten practical tips for improving our listening habits. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1494/1/Make_Your_Group_a_Winning_Team.html I have a confession. I like Mike. I like Mike so much that I named my first son after him—well, kind of. His name is Jordan Michael. I like Mike so much that I was selected as the biggest Michael Jordan fan in Anderson, Indiana, in 1993, the year of M.J.’s first retirement. I like Michael Jordan for a reason: I like basketball, and he is the greatest basketball player of all time. Yet his first NBA team, the Chicago Bulls, did not win the NBA championship until his seventh season. That is when they assembled a great team around the greatest player. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Wed, 06 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1493/1/Holistic_Small_Groups_are_not_Perfect_Groups.html Holistic groups do not equal perfect groups. The perfect group does not exist. Small groups are places where broken people are in the process of becoming whole. joelcomiskey@msn.com (Joel Comiskey) Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1492/1/Holistic_Small_Group_Ministries_Goodbye_to_Ho-Hum.html As effective as a wide variety of church programs may be in providing fellowship and ministry opportunities to members and casual seekers, small groups seem to corner the market on successful intentionality in true disciple-making. dalves@frontlineInc.org (David Alves) Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1491/1/What_is_a_Holistic_Small_Group.html There are many kinds of small groups found in churches today. Some are formed to support what goes on inside the church building on weekends (parking attendant groups, usher groups, worship team groups, etc.). Other groups that meet off-campus are formed for Bible study, prayer, fellowship, outreach, or discipleship. Each has an opportunity to learn or serve or minister in the local church. randall@touchusa.org (Randall Neighbour) Sun, 03 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1490/1/Supernatural_Synergistic_Systems-Thinking_Group-Life.html "The whole is more than the sum of its parts." Aristotle coined this phrase that summarizes what people mean by “holistic.” A similar concept is intended by the word “synergy”: A phenomenon that occurs when two or more influences act together to create an effect that is greater than if each agent were to have worked separate from one another. Both are fitting when talking about small groups because when believers gather in Jesus’ Name, a supernatural dynamic is birthed into existence that redefines the gathering itself and radiates the richness of the collective experience (Matthew 18:20). reidsmith777@msn.com (Reid Smith) Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1489/1/Three_Reasons_Why_You_Need_Community_to_Flourish.html Everyone needs community. Everyone needs to be connected. I think it is safe to say that people simply will not—cannot—grow outside of community. Are you in community? Are you creating community for those within your sphere of influence? pat@mightyoakministries.com (Pat J. Sikora) Fri, 01 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1477/1/Leading_the_Super_Mixed_Group.html “God, help me!” I silently prayed while smiling at the young adults in my “small” group. It was our first time together, and they had just shared their names, nationalities and spiritual backgrounds. I had never led such a diverse group. acmogus@shaw.ca (Cathy Mogus) Fri, 04 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1478/1/One_Anothers_vs_Curriculum.html One of the secrets of effective small group ministry is thinking in terms of developing a “one another” culture in your group rather than relying exclusively on a curriculum. Specifically, leaders should develop a small group agenda that incorporates all the “one another” values found in the New Testament. Curriculum is simply one tool that can be part of that group agenda. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Thu, 03 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1480/1/Cultivating_Disciple-Making_Environments_for_Everyone.html If we look to the account of the Early Church in the book of Acts as our model of “church-life” today…we should have great hope that people in all different stages of their spiritual journey can indeed take their next steps in following Christ together (Acts 2:40-47, 4:4, 5:14, 6:7, 8:4-8, 25, 9:31). Historically, small groups have been a vital part of how God has built the community of His Church through every Christian renewal movement since Pentecost. reidsmith777@msn.com (Reid Smith) Wed, 02 May 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1331/1/Love_Like_That.html We live in the land of ‘ism’s. Starting with capital-ism, discovering plural-ism, fighting terror-ism, demonstrating fanatic-ism, seeking relativ-ism, tolerating sex-ism, striving for altru-ism, sustaining ideal-ism, and all the while trying to maintain optim-ism in our country, our church, our home and finally in our own mind. sdisabatino@theportico.ca (Sandro DiSabatino) Sun, 25 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1332/1/The_Test_of_a_Small_Groups_Commitment.html One of God’s purposes for a small group is that it be a place where care is mutually given. Our response to friends in need is a loud and clear statement to those in the group, the rest of the body of Christ, and to unbelievers who are watching us to see if our love “has feet and hands.” Solomon wrote, “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need” (Proverbs 17:17). For all of us, the question is not if crisis will come. The question is when it will come. On our darkest days, we need friends who gladly shoulder part of the burden as if they were “born to help in time of need.” We also have the need to be that kind of friend to others. rick@friendswoodchurch.org (Rick Baldwin) Sat, 24 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1334/1/Sharing_Our_Lives_In_Difficult_Times.html It has been a difficult 5 months for us at our church. Last fall, our senior pastor was found to be in sin. The elders immediately asked for his resignation. Two days later, in our Sunday services, we announced what had happened and have been dealing with this “earthquake” and its aftershocks since that day. mike@crossroadsbible.org (Mike Messerli) Thu, 22 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1313/1/Soul_Care.html Whenever I guide a group through the spiritual disciplines, I ask the question, “What comes to mind when you hear the words spiritual disciplines?” Often the response is “fasting” or “working harder” as they study the Bible! While these two topics certainly are part of the picture, there are numerous options for understanding and experiencing spiritual disciplines that become the root of our spiritual formation. Without paying attention to and implementing these valuable and necessary practices, we cannot develop an intimate relationship with Christ, mature in our spiritual journey, or be the witness for Christ to which we have been called. The on-going practice of reflective story telling, reflective Bible reading and listening, reflective journaling, and reflective prayer, to name a few, can become significant experiences within a small group setting. diana@leadershiptransformations.org (Diana Bennett) Sat, 03 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1312/1/Community_The_Wellspring_of_Spiritual_Disciplines.html  Spiritual disciplines help us to grow as learners and followers of Jesus Christ. Since small groups are relational by design, they help believers activate spiritual practices that mature them in Christ and further the mission of the Church. We will look at a list of key spiritual disciplines that can be exercised in community, result in life-transformation, and keep your small groups and church on mission. Emphasis will be placed on why community is integral to the actual nature and effective outworking of spiritual disciplines. Also, “growth tips” will be offered on how to strengthen the development of each spiritual discipline in small group life. reidsmith777@msn.com (Reid Smith) Fri, 02 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1264/1/Breakthrough_Moments_That_Transform_the_Group.html One evening, a young family who had attended our fellowship for a couple of months showed up at the Lifegroup which my wife, Marcy, and I led. We were surprised and delighted. dalves@frontlineInc.org (David Alves) Mon, 04 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1266/1/Those_Divine_Moments/5_Cues_for_Small_Group_Leaders.html 5 Cues for Small Group Leaders “It’s a bunch of garbage,” Edna, the oldest and most outspoken member of my small group, mumbled. I had been trained as a leader to sit directly across from the most difficult person.  Tonight, Edna fit the bill. She stared defiantly at me, challenging me to a mental duel. acmogus@shaw.ca (Cathy Mogus) Sat, 02 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1267/1/Managing_Lively_Discussions.html “Boy, did our small group ever have a lively discussion at our last meeting,” said Debbie. Their group was studying I Corinthians. “When we got to I Corinthians 6:9, which talks about homosexuality, Dave said that God views it as an abomination.” smartwords@sbcglobal.net (Teena M. Stewart) Fri, 01 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1245/1/Biblical_Principles_for_Pastoral_Care_in_Small_Groups.html Sarah was facing her biggest nightmare. She had resisted leading a small group for years because she lacked confidence in her ability to give wise counsel to the problems of others. Her pastor had finally convinced her that she did not need to worry. “It rarely happens”, he told her. She has been an excellent leader, and her group has grown closer. Lately, however, group members have become more open and are turning to her to solve their problems. bpierce@cpcfc.org (Brian Pierce) Tue, 04 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1207/1/Why_Peoples_Stories_Matter.html The stories of those in my small group are not Sunday school perfect. They are often painful and messy because our lives are broken and cracked. When we choose to tell our stories, God is able to shine His light through those cracks. God's strength is always shown perfect in our weakness. susan_skalicky@educ8.org (Sue Skalicky) Sun, 02 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1208/1/Telling_Stories_To_Build_Community.html "The church must not become a collection of marbles ricocheting off each another, but rather grapes that when pressed together become wine." That was the exhortation from Dr. Joe Aldrich to his students at Multnomah Bible College years ago. However, that sense of oneness, of becoming wine, often eludes us. bpierce@cpcfc.org (Brian Pierce) Sat, 01 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1209/1/This_is_my_StoryThis_is_my_Song.html Twelve of us sat comfortably in big comfy chairs and couches listening to each one tell his or her spiritual story. It was a small group retreat in a lovely bed and breakfast in an historic, alluring seaside community. Our first night together began with after dinner snacks and cold soda. A few attendees were friends with one another; several had little or no knowledge of the group gathered, so we began our time with friendly hellos and introductions. diana@leadershiptransformations.org (Diana Bennett) Fri, 31 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1210/1/Building_Community_By_Sharing_Your_Story.html Just how long does it take for a group to grow close? How many group meetings must happen before hearts are tuned in to one another? When does real community begin to happen? These are questions that are not often asked by group members, but often are asked by small group pastors. Why? Group maturity, growing towards community, signals a healthy group experience. jweiner@secc.org (Jon Weiner) Thu, 30 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1211/1/Group_Life_as_Sacramental.html Jesus was the ultimate storyteller. He did more than communicate with words; He communicated His heart. He used stories like The Prodigal Son to express God's love for people and to invite them into relationship with Himself. Jesus used storytelling to create a meeting space between God and people. reidsmith777@msn.com (Reid Smith) Wed, 29 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1189/1/10_Ways_to_Schedule_Group_Gatherings.html Here are ten ways that groups can plan their meeting schedules for a typical month. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Sat, 31 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1168/1/Discussion_Problems_Try_a_Snag-free_Socratic_Small_Group_Session.html One characteristic of a small group that is struggling is that there is little or no discussion. Sometimes this occurs when a group is very small, or is comprised of people who have varied knowledge levels and/or methods of learning. I have witnessed small group leaders try to remedy this situation by developing questions for the group to answer in order to foster discussion. I have observed this working to only further limit discussions as one of two responses normally occur. First, small group participants begin to feel they are being "quizzed" and don't respond for fear of answering a question incorrectly. Or second, one person begins to dominate all discussion as they "know the answers" and the remaining participants become completely quiet. The small group I am a part of has experienced these struggles, and has come up with a method that fosters good discussion even with the quietest and newest of small group members. bszweda@mac.com (Benjamin Joseph Szweda) Fri, 02 Dec 2005 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/345/1/Questions_Icebreakers_and_Beyond.html A true icebreaker question is an open-ended question that is used at the beginning of the group's discussion time. dlentz@smallgroups.com (Dan Lentz) Thu, 05 Sep 2002 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/346/1/Give_Me_A_Good_Question.html How often have you sat through a Bible study where an unskilled leader asks questions that are downright boring? pat@mightyoakministries.com (Pat J. Sikora) Wed, 04 Sep 2002 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/347/1/The_Best_Questions_Ever.html Three small group veterans have submitted their favorite questions and question-asking strategies. Maybe they will become your favorites too! heartbeat@alluretech.net (Tami Rudkin) Tue, 03 Sep 2002 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/348/1/Go_Deep_with_Good_Questions.html One of my best friends, Steve, has taught me a thing or two over the past 20 years that I've known him. Right at the top of the things I've learned from him is the value of a good question. cbrown@gotonewlife.com (Chris Brown) Mon, 02 Sep 2002 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/349/1/When_Truth_Intercepts_Life.html A most rewarding experience for any Christian leader happens when a life-changing experience takes place for at least one member of the group. That kind of result requires discussion on an intimate level, which is difficult to achieve. baileywick@juno.com (Esther M. Bailey) Sun, 01 Sep 2002 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/391/1/Strategic_Group_Meetings.html Have you ever participated in a group meeting that was poorly run? It can drive you nuts. I got stuck in one of those meetings recently when I was asked to evaluate a particular church's group ministry. mike@connectedlife.us (Mike Shepherd) Sun, 06 Jan 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/392/1/Is_Your_Agenda_Killing_Your_Group/The_Proper_Place_of_a_Plan_in_Your_Meetings.html I wonder if many of our churches and small groups have become the churches of Sardis and Laodicea. They have the reputation of being alive, but many are dead - killed off by a fatal disease called Agenda-itus. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sat, 05 Jan 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/393/1/People-Focused_Group_Agendas.html Creating an agenda for a small group meeting is easy. Most of the small groups I've been involved with had these elements: worship, prayer, study and fellowship. singletary@iquest.net (Jeff Singletary) Fri, 04 Jan 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/394/1/Creating_a_Great_Small_Group_Meeting_Agenda.html "But what about the Spirit's leading in the small group," a lady asked me during my lesson on small group agendas in Krosnodar, Russia. joelcomiskey@msn.com (Joel Comiskey) Thu, 03 Jan 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/395/1/Planning_Great_Meetings.html Contrary to what many Christians seem to think, the Bible is not against the notion of planning. lenwoods@gmail.com (Len Woods) Wed, 02 Jan 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/396/1/How_to_Spice_Up_Your_Meetings.html Here are 55 great ways to spice up your next small group meeting! lenwoods@gmail.com (Len Woods) Tue, 01 Jan 2002 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1446/1/Too_Busy.html I received this question from a small group leader several years ago: "As a working mom with additional church responsibilities, I am very busy. I find it difficult to regularly read and study my Bible. I want to be a good example to my family and my group. Do you think I’m too busy?" micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sat, 04 Dec 1999 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1410/1/Agenda-itus.html It's a disease. And its symptoms for those afflicted are numerous: drowsiness, inattention, spiritual starvation, legalism. It's cause: too much of a good thing. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Mon, 05 Jan 1998 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/719/1/Recovering_Interest/WHAT_TO_DO_FOR_APATHY_IN_YOUR_GROUP.html Problem: What can I do to recover (or keep) the interest of my small group? tcorrigan@serv.bz (Thom Corrigan) Fri, 02 Jan 1998 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/720/1/How_to_Structure_a_Small_Group.html It is not difficult to be a small group leader. All you need is: tcorrigan@serv.bz (Thom Corrigan) Thu, 01 Jan 1998 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1390/1/Acountability_Time.html I need to be honest with you. The last several months I have been late in getting this newsletter out. My goal is to have it on the Web by the first of each month. But, for numerous reasons, most of which deal with switching to a new server and trying to improve our services, I've missed that goal. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Fri, 04 Apr 1997 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1387/1/Building_a_Transparent_Body.html Intimacy. Transparency. Vulnerability. Are these scary sounding words to you? Perhaps they are, especially if you are a man. Our society simply does not put high priority on these values. But this is changing, I think. My generation (I'm a late Boomer) is much more open to being open with our feelings than my parents' generation was. But still, it is not easy to be totally transparent with one another. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sat, 01 Mar 1997 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1359/1/Whats_Happening_Between_Meetings.html It's what happens between meetings that makes a group of people a group. So why do we spend so much of our effort training and equipping for what happens during the meeting? Probably because that's pretty easy to quantify. Building relationships isn't. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sat, 04 May 1996 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1360/1/Small_Group_Training_Meeting_Outline_-_What_Happens_Between_Meetings.html This page is for those who are entrusted with training and supporting small group leaders. It will enable you to create a small group environment for leaders, offer skill training for leaders' development, and provide a safe place where problems in small groups can be dealt with. Because each church situation is unique, adapt what follows to fit your circumstances. office@smallgroups.com (Jeffrey Arnold) Fri, 03 May 1996 00:00:00 -0400 http://smallgroups.com/articles/900/1/The_Quest_for_Great_Discussion_Questions.html Why is asking good questions important to a small-group leader? micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sun, 11 Feb 1996 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/902/1/Whats_Questionable_About_These_Questions.html Look at the following sharing questions on Matthew 16:13-20. From the principles in "The Quest for Great Discussion Questions," what makes each of these a questionable question? micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sat, 10 Feb 1996 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/903/1/5_Levels_of_Sharing_Questions.html Recognizing the various levels of sharing questions and the level of trust the group has built can help a leader ask the right questions. The following list was developed by Gareth Icenogle. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Fri, 09 Feb 1996 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/904/1/How_to_S_Q_U_A_S_H_Enthusiasm_in_Your_Group.html Maintain a theoretical and intellectual atmosphere during your meetings. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Wed, 07 Feb 1996 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/905/1/Kinesics.html "Susan, you look like you're thinking about something. Have you got something to add?" micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Tue, 06 Feb 1996 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/907/1/What_Does_This_Verse_Mean_to_You.html Two of every three American adults believe there is no such thing as absolute truth. And the percentage of Americans between the ages of 18 and 25 is even higher (72 percent), according to a Barna survey. micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Sun, 04 Feb 1996 00:00:00 -0500 http://smallgroups.com/articles/1003/1/Dynamic_Feedback/Valuable_Agenda.html   micmac@smallgroups.com (Michael C. Mack) Fri, 03 Nov 1995 00:00:00 -0500