The summer season is here. Time for groups to get outside and enjoy the outdoors and sunshine together. I want to give you a few tips on how to lead an successful summer lifegroup. Here are a few ideas to help you get your group off to a great start:
- Have a PLAN
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” – Proberbs 21:5 (NLT)
Know where you want to take your group this summer. Having some purposeful direction for your group will help your group stay engaged and growing. This might be reading through a book together, sharing devotionals or personal testimonies, have some clear prayer direction. Allow your group an opportunity for some focused conversation.
My group will be taking turns sharing testimonies and stories from our lives and then praying for each other before the start of each group.
- Keep it FUN
A big purpose of the summer season is Fun. So be sure to plan for lots of time for laughter, adventure and fun. As you plan for fun be sure to think through how to keep everyone in the group included. Don’t let people drift on the periphery.
- LAUGH a lot
Enjoy getting to know the people in your group and sharing life with them. Be sure to smile a lot this summer as you journey through the summer together.
- Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Strong communication and follow up leads to strong show ups. If you want your group members to stick with your group this summer, it’s important to communicate clearly and often with them. Send out an email reminder about your group at least once a week to keep your group updated and engaged.
- Invest in RELATIONSHIPS
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)This requires investment beyond group meetings. Plan to connect with each of your group members outside of your group meet at least once during the season. Get to know the people in your group. Take them to coffee, connect for lunch. Have them over for dinner. Invest in the relationships of your group.
- Challenge group members to take NEXT STEPS
“…Focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.”
– 1 Timothy 4:13-15 (NLT)
Everyone has a next step to take. As the group leader try to identify the next step your group members need to take and encourage them in that direction. Here are some great next steps at Abundant Life: Get baptized, Attend Membership Class, Serve on a Ministry Team, decide to start/lead a new lifegroup next season, Connect to a Care Group, Invite a friend to church.
All of these are next steps that can help a person grow in their faith. What next steps do those in your group need to take?
- Make PRAYER a priorityDon’t squeeze prayer out of your group for the sake of fun. Be sure to take some time each week to pray for the people in your group. This teaches your group members to pray and invites God’s spirit to be working in the lives of those in your group.
I hope that you have a fantastic lifegroup this summer. Don’t forget to share your stories and lifegroup pics with us at groups@alcpdx.com.
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