Every small group has its own to-do list. When I was a university student I would work up questions for inductive Bible study. We would try to guide our groups from details of the day’s text, to its meaning, and onward to ways to live it. Since then some of the richest small groups I’ve […]
How John Wesley Marketed His Small Group Program
Try to start a program in your church and I bet some of these ideas will be in the conversation: Tell people it will be fun. Let them know it won’t be too demanding — we’re busy people. Make sure they see it is going to make their lives happier. Emphasize that they will meet […]
Want to Join John Wesley’s Small Group?
The pastor had decided to start a small group. Everyone says it is the way to grow your church, or to grow a deeper sense of community. Thursday night a dozen people showed up. They met. They left in frustration. What went wrong? They all brought conflicting expectations. Some wanted the group to be a […]
So What About Accountability?
Some issues are like cut gems: there are lots of facets to look through and no single viewpoint will tell the whole story. The other day I was minding everyone’s business (aka looking at my Twitter news stream) and up pops a tweet from @Dawn_Morris1: “@garynealhansen how do you explain God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility/accountability?” […]