This Easter may be the biggest opportunity for small group ministry, yet.
Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ grossed $23.6 million opening day. This one-day sale rivals blockbusters like The Matrix Revolutions, The Lord of the Rings, and The Phantom Menace. The numbers may baffle Hollywood, but for months churches across the nation have been anticipating America's rush to the theaters.
Both Rick Warren and Bill Hybels hosted private viewings of the movie for several thousand pastors to help launch a wave of spiritual renewal.
You and your small group members will never have a better opportunity to share the life-changing story of Jesus Christ. Those you've invited or those who have attended on their own have seen the heart of Christ through the film; now let them see Christ incarnate through your life in your home. Here are some practical ways that you and your small group can make the most of The Passion and grow your small group ministry in the process.
1. Rally your group leaders and pastoral staff.
Gather all your small group leaders and ministry leaders, and take them to the movie. Even if it's for the second time—this time it's for others. Afterwards, have dinner or dessert to discuss the film. Together pray for Easter and how The Passion will and can affect your services. No doubt this Easter more people than ever will end up in a church. Don't let your ministry be left behind.
Cast a vision for your leaders of how their small groups and classes can begin to respond to seekers' questions. It's essential that the leaders in your church catch the vision for this opportunity.
2. Give your small groups a taste of applying The Passion to their lives.
For each small group leader, buy either Saddleback's The Passion, the Purpose and Person of Jesus Christ Small Group Study or Lee Strobel and Gary Poole's Experiencing the Passion of Jesus.
Challenge them to go through the first lesson in their group. This will help them take what they've seen and begin to think more deeply about the implications of what Christ did for us on the cross.
3. Help your small group members invite their friends.
Your members will likely need assistance in thinking strategically about the right people to invite. I recommend that you focus on those you perceive to be lukewarm Christians and spiritually open seekers. Give each church member a sheet of paper and have them create five circles with these labels: friends, family, work, hobbies/activities, fellowship. Go to www.lifetogether.com for a simple worksheet. Ask your group to list a name or two under each category. This exercise can be done in a few ministries in any group, class or even weekend service. Rick Warren at Saddleback did this one time during a Sunday morning service. The results were amazing.
Then, ask your members to invite these people to the movie and to a dessert or brunch in their home.
For free downloadable invitations they can use, go to: http://www.outreachmarketing.com/print/.
4. Keep the invitation to a one-time discussion only.
Invite individuals to a one-week—not a three-week or six-week—discussion. Most people won't say yes to a long study, but they will commit to a one-time meeting in a home. Simply ask them to come discuss the movie with a few friends over dessert and coffee. At the end of your discussion, invite them to additional weeks for more conversation. Many will return after the first meeting. Any group or class could do this as a group and then with some uncommitted/unchurched friends in their homes or on campus. This creates a welcome wave of new people for an outreach opportunity.
The movie doesn't call for a response, but every Christian and many seekers will be challenged to say, "So what? What difference does it make?"
5. Prepare your members to tell the rest of the story.
Plan on bringing small group members to church on Easter, which will be very Passion-centered this year. Launching new small groups after Easter is a natural step. You may want to have your group or groups study Lifetogether's Growing to Be Like Christ—a six week study on the next steps in following Christ. The study will challenge new Christians and lukewarm believers to start growing in their walk with Christ.
Even strong believers who view this film will be challenged to take their relationship with Jesus to the next level.
Don't miss this opportunity to use your small groups Sunday school classes to reach out and launch new groups during this turning point in history.
Have fun sharing The Passion together!
