Tag Archives: small groups
Leadership 101.1- Go Make Disciples
I’m posting content, videos, and questions from our online Leadership 101 training for new leaders. This is Part 1: Go Make Disciples. Leadership is the call to discipleship. In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us to make disciples, not find them. … Continue reading
Princess Parties and Football Games
Find a small group for you! We believe that community develops best around shared interests and activities– whether you are a princess or a quarterback. This amazing promotional video was developed with Team D Protege Andy Backus, Visual Storyteller Andy … Continue reading
Online Leadership 101
Two years ago, we blew up our small group system in a project called Operation Kaboom. One of the changes we made was in the way we offered initial training to potential small group leaders. Under the old system, potential … Continue reading
From the Archives: The Dreaded Question- Of or With?
This one is an oldie…and once got me in trouble with my good friend Bill Donahue. The Dreaded Question- Of or With? originally posted on February 3, 2006. Are you a church of small groups or a church with small … Continue reading
Why You Should Be in a Small Group
I can tell someone they should be in a small group until I am blue in the face. I can stand up on a Sunday morning and speak commandingly and convincingly of the theological and sociological need for community. But … Continue reading
God Anthology
We are kicking off a new sermon series, CD project, and small group curriculum at NCC this weekend. The God Anthology. Check it out here.
The Food is Important
I’m convinced that food is far more important to our group experiences than we realize. It’s a natural icebreaker, it’s fun, it gets other people involved in contributing to the group, and debating the peccability or impeccability of Christ is … Continue reading
Theology 101
Once a year, I teach our Theology 101 class at NCC, and behind The Story and Leadership Retreat, it’s probably my favorite part of the job. This semester, 40+ people registered for the group, which presented a new challenge. How … Continue reading
This Ain’t FedEx
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, I challenge you to be committed for the long haul. Once upon a time, someone … Continue reading
Don’t Answer That Question
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, let’s focus on asking great questions. I used to think that my role as the … Continue reading
Throw Away the Workbook
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, I challenge you to throw away the workbook. The best conversations are not found in … Continue reading
Normality is Not Normal
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, I share one of my favorite lines from John Ortberg: Everyone is normal until you … Continue reading
I Don’t Want to Go to Group…and I’m the Leader
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, I acknowledge that there are times that I really don’t want to go to my … Continue reading
Groups Are Stubborn
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, I talk about the stubbornness of groups. Small groups are stubborn. Especially when it comes … Continue reading
The Excitement Variable
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, I want to point out that no one will be as excited about your group … Continue reading
Community is Messy, Part 3: Spit
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, I talk about the idea that community is messy. It requires our blood, sweat, and … Continue reading
Community is Messy, Part 2: Sweat
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, I talk about the idea that community is messy. It requires our blood, sweat, and … Continue reading
Community is Messy, Part 1: Blood
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, I talk about the idea that community is messy. It requires our blood, sweat, and … Continue reading
The Small Group of One (or Two)
Team D– the NCC Discipleship Team– is writing a series of blogs about things that no one ever told us about small group leadership. Today, I talk about what to do when no one shows up. My first small group … Continue reading
What No One Told Me
Team D (that’s Josh, Maegan, Will, and me) are working on a little project: What No One Ever Told Me About Leading a Small Group. We are in “training mode” of Operation Kaboom, where we are trying to think about … Continue reading
When the Mess is Of Your Own Creation
I’ve been talking for a while now on the topic Community is Messy. Usually, I share examples from the vantage point of a third-party observer of a mess, a consultant in the navigation of a mess, or the victim of … Continue reading
Carry the Mat
Community requires physical exertion. It costs us our sweat. One of my absolute favorite stories about the sweat of community is found in Mark, chapter 2. Mark 2:1-5 Several days later Jesus returned to Capernaum, and the news of his … Continue reading
The Final Apologetic
On the night of his crucifixion, Jesus looked forward to that day. He prayed that his disciples would be “one.” (John 17:20-21) The second part of Jesus’ prayer was that “the world may know.” In a similar manner, Jesus told … Continue reading
Jesus’ Dying Wish
Do you know what Jesus prayed for on the night of his betrayal, arrest, and crucifixion? Us. In John 17, we read one of the prayers that Jesus prayed for his disciples: “I am praying not only for these disciples … Continue reading
Book List- Discipleship and Small Groups
A few folks requested that I post book lists from previous focus years. In 2005, I focused on learning all I could about discipleship and small groups. This is not a comprehensive list (and some of them were read before/after … Continue reading
Small Groups are Great…?
Small groups are great…and then the people show up. Once upon a time we heard a pastor give a stirring message on the theological, ecclesiological, and practical importance of life in community and we left with a newfound conviction that … Continue reading
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