As a small-group leader I’ve always found it important to spend one small-group meeting just before Christmas celebrating together. We always have food and Christmas cookies (of course!) and we do an activity to show appreciation for one another.
One of my favorites involves giving each group member a piece of colored paper and a pen. Each group member writes his or her name at the top of the paper, and passes it to the right. Then each group member writes a note of appreciation or encouragement on the paper they have for the person whose name is at the top. Then members pass the papers to the right again. When you get your own paper back, the activity is finished, and group members can put away their papers to enjoy at home. I have kept my papers full of encouragement to look at from time to time.
I also like to allow some extended prayer time as the holidays can be a time of heightened stress. They can also be a time of heightened sensitivity to the needs of others. With the hustle and bustle of the season, it is a joy to meet with your small group to celebrate your relationships and what God is doing in your group.
With a few weeks until Christmas, now is the time to think through what your small group will do to incorporate the holiday into meetings. Looking for ideas on how to celebrate together or how to tie the season in with your lessons? Are you looking for a study for your group for Advent? SmallGroups.com has a multitude of ideas for you. Check out our featured resources below:
Icebreaker Ideas
Outreach Ideas
Worship and Singing
Angels We Have Heard on High: Audio
O Little Town of Bethlehem: Audio
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: Video
Group Celebration Ideas
Bible Studies
Advent: A Savior for All People (4 session course)
Advent: Clash of Two Kingdoms (4 session course)
A Look at Advent Through the Old Testament (4 session course)
John Ortberg on Christmas (3 session course)
The People of the Nativity (5 session course)
The Songs of Advent (4 session course)
