How many times have you heard your grandparents or parents tell you about how they walked “up the hill, through the snow” to elementary school and back home? I always enjoyed hearing those stories and then teasing my father about how old he was, when he finished. Although very few enjoy navigating difficult seasons, we love enhancing stories to magnify the level of difficulty we have overcome.To many, leadership is like walking up a hill, in a blizzard, to and from school. It is the role of a Small Group Point Person to equip and empower hosts and leaders to best lead their group and overcome those difficult obstacles. I want to share five small group hacks that will ease each Small Group Host or Leader’s efforts and make their group stronger!
5 Small Group Hacks for Stronger Meetings
1. PLAN FOR FUN
Fun doesn’t happen accidentally. Successful groups everywhere are intentional about creating an environment that is enjoyable to be a part of. Life is stressful enough, so use card games, lighthearted questions, or mindless activities to establish a culture of comfort. You don’t want to force the issue or be inauthentic, so check out this fantastic blog by Gina Abbas on 5 Ways to Help Your Group Have More Fun!
2. SHARE THE LEADERSHIP ROLES
Burnout and fatigue is a reality for every group leader, IF they do not find other group members to help lead various areas of the group. Help other members find and utilize their gifting within your group. If there is a family that enjoys hosting, let them host some nights. If there is an individual that feels called to intercessory prayer, let them lead your groups prayer efforts. Whatever the gifting is, find a way to help your member flourish and co-lead your group. Before long, you will see everyone contributing their gifting to growing your group spiritually!
3. KEEP IT FRESH
Fresh is always better. Find ways to renew your group periodically throughout the year. Maybe it is meeting at the park for a fun day, changing your study focus, or asking another person to lead the discussion for the week. Injecting change without purpose is wasteful but keeping your members fresh is exciting!
