Author Archive for Daniel Edmonds – Page 2

3 Steps to Determine Needs

3stepsWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

The Bible has numerous “one another passages” which include “love one another” and “be kind to one another,” and the Bible admonishes us to be of the same mind (mind of Christ). In order to love one another, we need to know one another, so we can be kind and respectful of one another.

In a group Bible Study, you are not teaching a lesson rather you are teaching people. Therefore, a wise leader gets to know the needs of the people so as to minister them to and teach them the Bible. Also, through a better knowledge of the people you will be able to match their gifts and abilities to needs in and beyond the group. Keep in mind that your group is attached to a larger group (the church) and should be responsive to all needs.

WHAT DO I DO?

  • Interview Leaders

Your group will be healthier when it is connected to the larger group. You are not trying to create community apart from the church, but to better serve the church. Interview leaders to determine the needs and goals of the church. Discuss how your group can be a part of meeting these needs and working toward the goals.

  • Involve the Group

Your group members may have several unmet needs as well. They may desire greater fellowship, more involvement in missions, or more effective ministry. Too many times leaders develop tunnel vision (I’m here to teach) and fail to focus on group health. Teachers do need to discern how to “speak the truth in love,” but Ephesians 4 reminds leaders that this is done to strengthen the body so it “grows and builds itself up in love.” Growth comes from knowledge and application.

  • Invest in Members

Sometimes individuals will not share in a group those things that are personal. Occasionally a members leaves the group because the basic needs of belonging or serving were not met. Leaders must invest time in getting to know group members on a personal level. It is important to know where they are on their spiritual journey and in their personal life. Not all needs can be met, but they should have a true experience of “one another” living.

When needs are discovered on all levels, then the leader can guide the group toward goal setting.

3 Ways to Commission New Groups

prayingoverWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

The Great Commission calls for us to make disciples. From Jesus’ follow me example, we know relationships are a key factor in disciple-making and that relationships are built in small groups. So why is it important to commission new groups? If we are going to follow the model of our Master, we will commission leaders and groups to create new groups of disciples.

WHAT DO I DO?

  • Come and See Groups

One way to create new groups is to commission group members to start a group in their home. The focus of the group would be to invite neighbors to ‘come and see’ or come and explore the claims of Christ. In Acts 2, the church went from house to house “breaking bread,” “praising God,” and “enjoying the favor of all the people.” In recent days, churches have experienced revival through evangelistic home groups that connect people to Christ and to His church. Some churches have commissioned or challenged class members to start a Backyard Kids Club to reach families. Don’t miss the opportunity to challenge your group to be on mission by commissioning groups in their communities.

  • Follow Me Groups

Groups should be aware of people who have never attended a group or have dropped out of church or groups because of some type of ‘disconnect’ from others. Some leaders create a ‘paper class or group’ from a list of church members and community members who are not in a group. Many of these people need someone to invite them to “follow me.” There a numerous people not in groups because they attended and did not find anyone who tried to intentionally connect with them. Help your group members discover people who would follow them into a new group.

  • Be Fruitful and Multiply Groups

Every group should be challenged to develop new leaders in order to commission a new group every 12 – 24 months. The Great Commission is a reminder of the first words God said to mankind, “be fruitful and multiply.” Disciples have been recreated by Christ in the image of the Creator who expects them to be fruitful and multiply. Groups should create new groups. When you launch a new group, do so with the commission to be “fruitful (grow in faithful obedience) and multiply (grow in number).”

Each time one of these groups are launched, conduct a commissioning service to celebrate!

3 Ways to Deploy Group Members in Service

Growing-to-ServeWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Ephesians 2:10 is a verse that gets overshadowed by its predecessor (2:9), but it contains an equally powerful message: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” You have heard it said, “We are saved to serve” and that is true. However, in recent years we have exchanged “come, let’s serve the Lord together” for “come on in and have a seat.” People are created to serve and sense that they truly belong when they are serving in and with the group.

WHAT DO I DO?

Inside the Group

A leader is wise to involve as many people in serving inside the group as possible. Teachers, according to Ephesians 4, are not to do ministry for everyone but to equip everyone for the work of ministry. If a person is given a service to perform during the group time, they are more likely to be present and on-time.  If nothing is expected of them, then attendance becomes optional. Think of as many possible tasks that can be done: set-up team member, greeters, care leaders, fellowship leaders, host/hospitality leaders, and so forth. Seek to involve everyone.

Through the Group

Hopefully, you will begin to have group members leaving the group to start a new group or to serve in another age group ministry in the church. Groups should consider these people as missionaries serving beyond the group. Seek way to serve these missionaries. It may be serving in their place when they are on vacation or cannot be present. It may be serving them by making provisions for their new ministry. Your missionaries should see their former group as people willing and ready to serve them.

Beyond the Group

It is wise for every group to look for service opportunities for members in the church, in the community, in the city, and beyond. Mission service projects tend to unify the group and focus it on being a Great Commandment/Great Commission ministry. Look where group members go and are engaged beyond the group, are there ways the group can serve in those areas? For example, if group members have children that are involved in a recreational sports league, how might your group serve and minister to others who are involved. The Great Commission reminds us to make disciples as we go and wherever we go. So, go and serve.

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Daniel Edmonds is the Director of the Office of Sunday School and Discipleship at the Alabama State Board of Missions

Rediscover Enrollment

 

enrolledIt is hard to be on mission without identifying the mission field and making a commitment to cultivate the field. Recent church reports have many leaders concerned about the future of the church. No doubt part of the problem is an inward rather than an outward focus. Properly understood, this is what enrollment is about: an outward focus on the mission field.

Why Enroll?

  1. It is a commitment to make disciples. Instead of waiting for people to show up, enrollment commits the group to go and make disciples wherever people can be found. Through the years we have changed the directional intent of enrollment to inward rather than outward. It is not a commitment made by people to come to the group, it is a commitment of the group to go to people. It is a declaration that the group is responsible to disciple those enrolled.
  2. It is a pathway to evangelism. Enrollment encourages non-believers to become part of a group. Groups have proven very effective in helping people explore the claims of Christ and coming to know Him.
  3. It is an invitation to belong. Jesus and His disciples invited people to ‘come and see.’ It was an opportunity to get connected and be with people on the journey of life. God has created us relational and to be in community. We still have a need to belong.
  4. It is an opportunity to minister. Typically, I ask a person if they have people who pray for them. If not, I offer to provide them with a group that will pray for them, share with them, and care for them if they ever have a need. The responsibility is not on them, but on the group to effectively minister through prayer, sharing with them (breaking bread), and caring for them in accordance to what is discovered through prayer needs.

Enrollment is a valuable tool for disciples to use in refocusing on the mission field. “The harvest is plentiful!” Will you commit to be a laborer?

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Daniel Edmonds is the Director of the Office of Sunday School and Discipleship at the Alabama State Board of Missions

 

3 Reasons to have a Group Mission Board

missionWHAT IS IT? A Missionary Board is a bulletin board or wall space dedicated to keeping the group focused on “why” we are here. It usually contains pictures that remind participants of the mission and ongoing purpose of the group.

WHY HAVE A MISSION BOARD?

REASON #1 – Celebration of Mission Engagement

Posting pictures of the latest mission project or photos of group members ministering in other areas of the church serves as an ongoing celebration of the true purpose of any group – Great Commandment/Great Commission engagement. The pictorial celebration of these events encourages the people in the photo and challenges others to be involved. The photos can also inspire more ideas of mission opportunities in the community.

REASON #2 – Care for Missionaries

Posting photos of people who have left the group to serve in other groups or areas of ministry, reminds group members of their responsibility to provide ongoing care and assistance to these missionaries. One of the difficulties of stepping out to serve, is the feeling of loss that comes from departing the group. Group members should strive to continue in friendship and fellowship with all who serve so they will know they are still valued person in the group.

REASON #3 – Change the Culture

What you value is visible and vocal. There are plenty of grandparents that can show pictures and talk endlessly about their grandchildren. Why? Because they are treasures of great value. By developing a Mission Board, the group makes visible what they value. It also creates opportunities to talk about the importance of growing and going as a group on mission for Christ. When people walk into the meeting place of the group, they should be able to quickly access the community culture by seeing and hearing about those who matter most. A Mission Board will become a valuable tool to change the culture of the group from ‘meeting’ to ‘mission.’

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Daniel Edmonds is the Sunday School missionary for the Alabama State Board of Missions