X Fun Ways to Get
Started………..…………...1
XSermon Series:
“Seek”................................2
X News & Notes for
Leaders…………………..2
Fun Ways to Get
Started
Whether this is your first time leading a
group or you are a veteran group
leader, “using group openers is a basic,
yet essential skill. Icebreaker ideas
and share questions are designed to
facilitate discussion about member’s
personal lives and help them open up
more freely.” (Leading Life-changing
small groups, Donahue p. 110-113)
♦ What is your favorite movie and
why?
♦ You have three wishes. What
would you wish for?
♦ What day of your life would you
like to most relive and why?
♦ As a time-traveler, I would most
like to visit ______ because
______?
♦ I am most like my mom in that I
______.
♦ I am most like my dad in that I
______?
ISSUE 2 VOLUME 1 2010
Group
focus
We must remind people that life is not a game
nor is spiritual growth something to be taken
lightly.
Bill Hybels
♦ If I could invent a gadget to make
my life easier, I’d invent some-
thing that would ______ because
______.
♦ What was the best gift you ever
received as a child?
♦ What was your first job? What do
you remember most about it?
♦ Who was the best boss you ever
had? What made him or her so
good?
♦ Describe a grade school teacher
that made a big impression on
you (for good or ill).
♦ When you were a child, what did
you want to be when you grew
up? What did your parents want
you to be?
Use these or others to encourage
group members to share.
PRAYER
A natural result of praying transformational prayers in our own lives and in the lives of those
close to us, is that we will begin to see beyond ourselves and our own needs to the needs of
others—not just those we know, but even those we don’t know—those in our community and
around the world. As we pray for God’s transformation in our own hearts—that we would be
humble, gentle, patient, forbearing in love, keeping peace...(Eph. 4:2), our hearts become
more sensitive to the needs of others. As God transforms your heart and you see other
people differently, pray for that same power that has transformed your heart to do a new work
in your family, your community, your workplace and around the world. How is God opening
your eyes to people and places where He wants to see His work accomplished. Ask to
include you in what He’s up to. Is there anything your group can do to be an answer to those
prayers?
Current Sermon The next 40 days are designed to prepare our
hearts for Easter. Don’t miss out on what God HANDING OFF WHAT
Series—”Seek” wants to do in your heart and in your group!
YOU DO
Our current sermon series will take us right up to Easter.
∗ Who can you invite to come during this series or for Easter Sunday?
∗ Who can your group being praying a transformational prayer for?

Encourage group members to pick up a prayer guide if they haven’t

already!
There are still a few left.

It’s Not Too Soon—

Is there someone in your group who you think
could lead a group?
Even though it’s only been a few weeks,
begin to notice those who have a lot to offer
the group, who genuinely care for other
people and who are teachable.
Let them know you’re glad they’re a part of
your group. Tell them you believe in them
and God has things he wants them to do. Let
them know you are praying for them. A few
encouraging words make a huge impact!
Who can you encourage this week?

It’s not too soon to encourage any behaviors

or attitudes that make a contribution to the Who do you think could do what you
group. do? Let them know you believe in
them and invite them to be a part.
Nuts & Bolts for
Group Leaders
Play Date courage the qualities you think a group of 15, but they might
Some of you have planned your would help them be a good pray out loud if there are fewer
Group play date. We would leader. people.
love to hear what you’re doing
to play together. Let your Team Have people pray a one
Leader know and we will share Service Project sentence prayer of thankfulness
some ideas with Groups that What service projects have you before bringing requests to
aren’t sure what to do yet. participated in or are you God.
planning to participate in?
Your project may encourage or Ask people to share a meaning-
Coordinator inspire another group to do ful verse of Scripture before
Have you thanked your something similar. If you still praying together.
coordinator this week? A need ideas, contact your Team
simple thank you can be a great Leader. What other ways of praying
source of encouragement. together have you found
Thank them for being a part of effective? We would love to
your team. Thank them for Prayer hear from you!
taking care of some of the tasks Try new ways of praying
associated with your group. We would also love to hear the
together:
kinds of things you're praying
For those of you who haven’t for:
Depending on the size of your
identified a coordinator yet, group, break into 2’s, 3’s or 4’s. • For family & friends
sometimes they don’t begin to Encourage members to share • For the church
emerge until near the end of the requests in these smaller • For the community
study. As you see potential in groups and pray together. • For our nation
them, be sure to affirm and en- Sometimes people won’t pray in
This is the ride of
your life!!
And now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to
His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20,21