SMALL GROUP PRINCIPLES AND DYNAMICS john m. dettoni, ph.d. chrysalis ministries

NUMBER of people in a small group Minimum: three (4) – including leader Maximum: twelve (12) – including leader Separate into smaller groups when maximum number averages over 12 Do this regularly or you will not do it at all

KINDS OF SMALL GROUPS: 1. Same age groups 2. Intergenerational groups 3. Single sex groups 4. Singles or Married 5. Mixed gender and marital status 6. Topical groups

HOW LONG SHOULD A GROUP MEET? Eight weeks is a good goal Meet weekly Time needed is at least 75 minutes

WHAT SHOULD GROUPS DO? 1. Share from their ….. 2. Study scripture together. 3. Seek to find ways to apply God's truth in their lives. 4. Worship

5. Prayer – focused on issues & needs of group 6. Socializing 7. Recreational activities 8. Projects - Help others – extend Kingdom of God

SMALL GROUP LEADERS A Leader is not... a person with all the answers responsible for everyone having a good time someone who does all the talking likely to do everything perfectly

A Leader is a person who... 1. encourages and enables 2. helps others meet their goals 3. protects (protector) members 4. structures group time and plans ahead facilitator who stimulates relationships and participation 5. affirms, encourages, challenges

6. is enthusiastic about: small group about God's Word about discovering and growing

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO SMALL GROUP MEMBERS? 1. A leader who cares about them 2. Building relationships with other members 3. Seeing themselves grow 4. Belonging and having a place in the group 5. Feeling safe while being challenged 6. Having their reasons for joining a group fulfilled

WHAT DO YOU DO? Problems we often encounter while leading small groups...... 1. If nobody speaks: 2. If somebody talks too much: 3. If people don't know the Bible: 4. If you have a “difficult” individual:

SOME BASIC SMALL GROUP DYNAMICS PRINCIPLES more time sharing - sooner bond into community. Use Demonstrations and/or role plays Ask non-threatening question: “How might that idea work in someone's life?”

Use effective discussion questions Ask provocative questions. Avoid yes/no answers unless follow up with “Why did you answer that way?” or “Explain your reply, please.”

group members are reluctant to share 1. Use individual writing exercises 2. Use subgroups of two or three 3. ask quiet person if he or she has anything to add to what has been said

Dealing with “ramblers” 1, "Oops, I think you are off target a bit. Let me sharpen that a bit for your before you continue.” 2. Thank the person for willingness to talk, but ask to help others get involved too. 3. Tactfully ask the person to be more concise or to summarize key ideas. 4. Talk to the person privately after the session.

Provide resources: Resource tools, Bible dictionaries, or commentaries, study Bibles, etc. Direct members to Internet for Bible study preparation

8. Debriefing Debriefing is used to help person reflect on his or her experiences and make sense of those experiences. Some questions to ask in debriefing:

1) What was your experience? 2) Who was involved? 3) What was your reaction to the experience? 4) Why do you think that particular thing happened?

5) What impressed you negatively and positively? 6) What surprised you? 7) If you were to have this experience again, what would you change--your approach, your responses, or anything else? 8) What did you learn from this experience?

9. Small Group Leader Is NOT the answer person!! Redirect questions back to group or to the one asking – often the asker has an answer and wants leader to reinforce his answer!

10. Keep discussion moving Avoid being stalled and/or side tracked with trivia, arguments that are not on target, worthless speculations, etc. Stay focused on the issues, not on other things.