When I was in grade school, my friends and I once got all excited when we realized that some people's belly buttons were different from other people's belly buttons! Have you ever made this discovery? If you haven't, I may be sharing some of the most enlightening truth you have ever heard! Okay, seriously, here's the deal: Some people have an "innie" and some people have an "outie". To be technically precise, some people's belly buttons have a concave quality to them while others are more convex. Why am I telling you this? It is because whether you are an outie or an innie has a significant effect on your life and the life of your small group…but I am not talking about navels.
The criticism leveled most frequently against small groups is that they tend towards "naval gazing"! That means small groups sometimes become ingrown or cliquish. While one of the aims of all Christian small groups is to become more committed to Christ and to reflect His agape love, we need to be aware of the possibility of becoming exclusive. Our natural tendency is to be "innies" or ingrown.
To help you see this distinction more clearly, take a look at this picture:
This seems like a good picture, a connected group holding hands and facing inward (like a prayer circle). There is a posture of prayer going on—that's good. They are able to see each other's burdens and concerns and respond—that's good. But, what if there are unconnected people standing outside this circle. How are they going to be seen?
Let me suggest another symbolic picture that might help this situation.
The people in this picture are still connected. They can still see each other. They can still care for one another and pray for each other. In fact, now they can better see the barriers and attacks the group may be facing. And not only that, they can now see the unconnected people much easier because they are facing out and not in. Their focus is different and it is easier to move toward people with the love of Jesus. Easier, even if it means taking a few steps away from this group to form a brand new group that continues to reach out and care for one another.
These pictures not only symbolize different group focuses, they also symbolize our own heart. Each of us individually has a heart that is either conditioned to look like one picture or the other.
How do we become outwardly focused—an "outie"? How can we model that focus to our group? It starts with an intentional plan and it is moved forward by Holy Spirit directed leadership.
Leaders cast vision, model right behavior and invite followers to follow! Helping your group develop an "outie mentality" will happen if your heart and mind are engaged in the process.
There are many Bible-based tools and strategies available to help you in that process. Let me outline a few tools and strategies that can help you as you lead your groups:
- Small Group Servant evangelism
Unexpected acts of kindness are surprising and delighting people, but also leading them to Christ. Each person who is served receives the explanation that "we are doing this to show God's love in a practical way". When people respond, "Why are you really doing this? You want me to join your church, don't you?" It is explained that you are welcome to come to our church but the real reason we are here is to share God's love. It seems that people don't necessarily remember what they are told about God's love, but they never forget what they have experienced.
Check out these servant evangelism resources:
http://www.epicnow.org/training/ServEvan.htm
http://www.servantevangelism.com/
http://smallgroups.com...reaching.html
- Small group evangelistic prayer
Evangelism involves actively sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others. An evangelistic heart begins with prayer in the community of faith, where the good news is lived out in relationship with God and others. Spend some time asking God to give you hearts that are sensitive to evangelism. Also, pray for those you are reaching out to so that God would prepare the "harvest" and the "harvesters".
Check out these resource for doing evangelistic prayer
http://www.lighthousemovement.com/prayer.asp
http://smallgroups.com...preparing.html
http://smallgroups.com...prayerwalking.htm
- Small group evangelistic Bible study
The essentials in starting an evangelistic Bible study are Building relationships and depending on the work of the Holy. The saying that "People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care" is true. Relationships and the Spirit's work are equally important as you continue leading an evangelistic group week by week.
Check out these resources on evangelistic Bible study:
http://www.evangelismtoolbox.com...resource=389
http://smallgroups.com...rsources.htm
http://smallgroups.com...toc0396.htm
- Small group life-style/friendship evangelism
To go into the world, we have to be willing to go onto their turf — to meet unbelievers where they are, not where we expect them to be. Some people say to me, "But if we strive too hard to reach the world by going where they are, it may result in compromise!" Jesus said it is the sick who need a doctor, not the well (Matthew 5:31). Jesus never changed his way of ministering to the downcast because he was afraid of his position being compromised. Jesus was a friend of the sinners, the society misfits, the hurting and the people who could ruin his reputation. The Bible doesn't say He merely ministered to them or talked to them once in a while—He was their friend!
Check out these resources on life-style/friendship evangelism:
http://smallgroups.com...feature5.html
http://smallgroups.com...oikos.htm
http://smallgroups.com...opn-clsd.htm
- Small group issue-based evangelism
When life crisis arises or questions about specific issues are fresh in people's minds, it is a great opportunity to reach out and meet that need with the truth and love of Christ.
Check out these resources on issue-based evangelism:
http://www.evangelismtoolbox.com
http://www.facingforever.com/html/FFabout.asp
http://www.christcare.com/
http://www.gbod.org...smallgroup.html
http://smallgroups.com...sgevang.htm
Implementing one or more of these tools and principles will help your group maintain an outward focus!
