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SMALL GROUP PRINCIPLES AND DYNAMICS

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

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SMALL GROUP PRINCIPLES AND DYNAMICS

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

  2. 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

  3. KINDS OF SMALL GROUPS: • 1. Same age groups • 2. Intergenerational groups • 3. Single sex groups • 4. Singles or Married • 5. Mixed gender and marital status6. Topical groups

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

  5. 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

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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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

  10. 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

  11. 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:

  12. 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?”

  13. 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.”

  14. 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

  15. 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.

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

  17. 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:

  18. 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?

  19. 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?

  20. 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!

  21. 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.

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