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4 Influencers Small Group Leaders Can’t Ignore

3. Truths instilled in Bible studies the group has done in the past.

One of the reasons it is vital to choose Bible studies that are written for small groups by people who understand and instill basic evangelical theology is due to the fact that small group members will learn and hold to what they have been taught during past small group meetings. A small group leader would be wise to review past studies and see what they say concerning a particular topic when they know a discussion is soon to take place that revisits a topic or passage from past Bible studies.

4. Acceptable expectations in the congregation the group is part of.

Every church has her “acceptable expectations,” unstated or stated voluntary requirements for followers of Christ. In some churches it is anticipated that every person is involved in a daily quiet time that includes Bible study, Scripture memory, meditation, elongated times of prayer, etc…These churches may also speak often of meeting with two or three others for accountability and edification. In other churches, the only expectation is that people show up for weekend worship services. It would be wise for a small group leader to know what is norm in the church that they lead a group for. If a small group leader leads a group and serves a church where expectations are high, the group they lead will have a much greater chance to go deeply into Scripture, ask for group members to spend time meditating on what God is saying to them, and expecting the group members to sincerely cry out to God on behalf of one another. On the other hand, if the group leader leads a group where the expectations of those involved in the church are minimal, they must remember that they are leading mostly spiritual infants and be careful to feed them milk, not meat.

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rhowerton@churchleaders.com'
Rick has one passion… To see “a biblical small group within walking distance of every person on the planet making disciples that make disciples.” He is presently pursuing this passion as the Small Group and Discipleship Specialist at LifeWay Church Resources. Rick has authored or co-authored multiple books, studies, and leader training resources including A Different Kind of Tribe: Embracing the New Small Group Dynamic, Destination Community: Small Group Ministry Manual, The Gospel and the Truth: Living the Message of Jesus, Small Group Life Ministry Manual: A New Approach to Small Groups, Redeeming the Tears: a Journey Through Grief and Loss, Small Group Life: Kingdom, Small Group Kickoff Retreat: Experiential Training for Small Group Leaders, and Great Beginnings: Your First Small Group Study, Disciples Path: A Practical Guide to Disciple Making. Rick’s varied ministry experiences as an collegiate minister, small group pastor, teaching pastor, elder, full-time trainer and church consultant, as well as having been a successful church planter gives him a perspective of church life that is all-encompassing and multi-dimensional. Rick is a highly sought after communicator and trainer.