Guiding the Conversation
This quarter, we will focus on developing as leaders in the area of fostering God-focused and heart-oriented dialogue in our small groups. As CG leaders, our goal is not to ensure maximal amount of Bible content is firehosed on the group. Nor is our goal to host a free-flowing, directionless exchange of opinions. Rather, we want to lead our group members in applying God’s truth to their hearts. We do this best by setting an example of honesty and active listening.
This 6-minute video from Lifeway Leadership provides helpful tips on how you, as a small group leader, can fine-tune your ability to guide the conversation in your meetings.
Looking Global
Another key aspect of leading a community group is helping your group members cultivate a Christian vision that expands beyond their day-to-day (though that part of life is important).
One of the ways we do this is through matching up ROC-supported missionaries with our community groups. For 2019-2020, the missions connections are as follows:
| Andries/Johnson | Cesar and Grace Cubas |
| Bougoulias | Dale and Carmen Phillips |
| Califf/Pickens | Warren and Yukari Griffith |
| Camera | Lee and Sarah Wright |
| Duncan | Julian and Christiana Russell |
| Knox | Scott and Tiffany Kelley |
| Lanier | Jeremy and Angel |
| Trigger/Brehm | Rachel Halley |
Find out more about what your CG can be doing to support our missionaries.
Odds-n-Ends
- Be sure to encourage your CG members to partake in Take-Them-A-Meal and other mercy-related opportunities as they arise
- Everyone is encouraged to have their community group attend the “Thankful November Night” on November 17
- Pastor Lanier’s recent Sunday school discussing “Why Small Groups” (and their common pitfalls) can be found here, lesson 9
- This article at Desiring God (“Let Your Dream Small Group Die“) is also very helpful for adjusting our expectations for our CGs
- As a reminder, the vision of our CG ministry is as follows:
The Community Group ministry seeks to be a vibrant expression of the Kingdom of God through renewed relationships by caring, encouraging, edifying, and teaching one another.
