In the meantime, build a relationship with them. Ask if they’ve gotten to know other people, and invite them to a connection event or another outing.
“Several of my guys in my dinner group I was asking for over a year,” says John. “And then finally it fell into place where it worked for them.”
4). Don’t Underestimate How God Can Use You
“You never know who God puts in your path,” John says. That proved true on a recent Sunday morning, when he started talking to someone he’d met once before. Midway through their conversation, John brought up dinner groups again.
“He was like, ‘You know, I’d actually be really interested.’” John says. He’d recently moved to the area with his girlfriend, but they broke up not long after. He didn’t know many other people, he told John.
Using this small group invitation template, John invited him to his dinner group, and the first night he came, he told the group he was there because of a conversation he’d had with his mom that weekend. She knew he was having trouble adjusting and suggested getting involved at church.
It was the next morning that John brought up dinner groups and extended an invitation.
“That had nothing to do with me,” says John. “I just happened to be there, because God planned that. And that’s why I say you never know who you’re asking. … There are times when someone is going through something, or something’s going on, and you never know if maybe God’s been leading you to that person for a reason.”
5). Not Outgoing? That’s OK, Too
If bringing people together isn’t your gift, find the person in your dinner group who’s a natural connector, John says. Encourage them to be the recruiter for your group. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the leader—it can be anyone.
Or, just try it and simply get to know someone.
“Sure, I’m on the Engagement Team, but even if I wasn’t on a team, I actually love standing out when people are coming out of church,” John says. “You’ll see so many people who are kind of gunning for the door, who are not really sure where to go. And you can be that person who says, “Hey, what’s up? What’s your name? My name’s John. How long have you been coming here?’”
6). Build a Group Where There’s Always Room for More
For John, dinner group isn’t just about Tuesday nights. He tries to build into his group throughout the week, whether that means sitting with them on Sunday mornings or inviting them out. It’s a mindset that encourages his group to grow closer together and ensures that everyone feels welcome.
It also encourages further growth. Two of the guys in John’s group are apprenticing to lead their own group—one of them was someone John spent months recruiting. They’re both great guys, with incredible gifts, says John. And once they have their own groups, they’ll be able to use a small group invitation template.
This article about using a small group invitation template originally appeared here.
