THE BASICS: Every Member a Minister
2) What are you going to do in a Life Group?
I’ve observed, since 1993 when we first began having Care Groups (then Cells groups, then Small Groups, now Life Groups) that one of people’s greatest fears of being involved as a leader is the question: “What am I going to do?” which is usually followed up with “I’m not a preacher or a teacher!”
Let me calm your fears in this area: you don’t need to be a preacher or teacher, in fact, it’s probably best if you’re neither of these! Here is the passage of Scripture that clarified for me the main job of a Life Group leader:
Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always,
even to the end of the age.”
You are going to teach them to “obey” all things that Jesus has commanded us.
As pastors, it is our responsibility to “equip the saints” and “preach the whole counsel of God.” It is our job to seek God’s direction concerning the teaching that our Body needs and then present it in the best way possible to our congregation. BUT, that is not where the responsibility ends; it’s not simply a matter of “teaching them all things” (that would be easy) it’s a matter of “teaching them to OBEY all things” and that’s where we need two things:
- First, a smaller environment where questions, applications, doubts and real life scenarios can be fleshed.
- Second, a facilitator that is willing to be used by God to help people learn and walk in the ways of the Lord.
1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
You are going to show them “the Way” to live the life of Jesus in every circumstance and situation.
3) How are you going to accomplish these objectives?
- By sharing YOUR walk and story with them
- By modeling a growing walk with Jesus
- By helping them understand and apply the Sunday messages OR the subject matter being dealt with in the Life Group
- By teaching them to use and follow the One Anothers in every relationship in their life
- By teaching them to Abide in Christ – living a moment by moment relationship with Jesus
- By helping them change the destructive patterns and habits in their life through their abiding relationship with Jesus
- By helping them learn how to share their faith with others and begin taking steps in feeding others what they have learned (Discipleship & Multiplication)
Keep it Simple – As Small Group Leaders we need to create discussion questions that will touch their Head, Heart and Hands. By doing this we give them something to Know, Feel and Do.
1) HEAD: Closed-Ended Questions – To get facts straight, understand concept biblical story, etc.
2) Heart: Open-ended questions that lead to greater discussion. This is where the Truth becomes personal and applies to everyday life. Personal transparency, testimonies, etc.
3) Hands: Open & Closed Ended Questions – What do we do with what we’ve learned? Closed-ended for specific steps that apply to everyone. Open-ended to figure out how it applies to individuals.
1 Thessalonians 2:8-13 NLT
8 We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. 9 Don’t you remember, dear brothers and sisters, how hard we worked among you? Night and day we toiled to earn a living so that we would not be a burden to any of you as we preached God’s Good News to you. 10 You yourselves are our witnesses—and so is God— that we were devout and honest and faultless toward all of you believers. 11 And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. 12 We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. 13 Therefore, we never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us, you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe.
Suggested Reading & Viewing:
- Soul Revolution – John Burke
- The Way of the Shepherd – Kevin Leman & William Pentak
- Life in the Vineyard – Marcel Sanchez
- Making Small Groups Work – Henry Cloud & John Townsend
By Russell Johnson