Author Archive for Tony Brooks

Connecting Your Group and Guests on Facebook

By Tony Brooks · Comments (0)
Thursday, August 24th, 2017

To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (I Corinthians 9:22-23 NIV)      

Have you ever considered how Facebook can help your class reach new people and share Good News? Here are some ways you can do so:

  1. Advertise a Sunday School page for your church. The Millennials will find you on technology before they come to your church or class. Have a page that highlights every class with pictures, what you enjoy doing together, and what you are studying. They will feel more comfortable coming to your class if they see faces, and know more about the class.
  2. Advertise special fellowship and outreach events. Did you know that you can target groups on Facebook for $5-$10 in your area? I have a church in a small town that used Facebook for advertising a children’s event and gathered between 300-400 people. You can target age groups, affinity groups and more.
  3. Use Facebook to follow up your lesson that week. I have used posts starting Sunday evening through Wednesday to follow up a lesson with more questions, video links and stories so learners will keep reflecting on how the passage applies to life. An added bonus was when they responded. It goes to their news post as well. Of course, this means all of their friends including unchurched get to read them. (Please keep them positive and focused on Scripture!)

If we are to be all things to all people so we might win some, Facebook can be a tool to do just that!

Dr. Tony Brooks is the Sunday School/Discipleship Specialist for the Baptist General Association of Virginia. You can see his weekly blog at: https://bgav.org/sundayschool/
Facebook- @ https://www.facebook.com/btsrdoc
Twitter- @TonyBrooks7

 

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Categories : 31 Ideas of Outreach & Evangelism, Evangelism, Outreach/Evangelism
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4 Responses When Pain Interrupts Your Group

By Tony Brooks · Comments (0)
Monday, October 24th, 2016

cryingThe Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18 NIV)

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? What do you do when pain interrupts your group? When no subject is off limits and a group shows genuine care and vulnerability (which you should), pain will come out in the middle of group time.

WHAT DO I DO? How do you handle it? Here are some thoughts:

  1. Listen to what is said and not said. This requires attentiveness. Some will tell what is going on in their lives. Take time to listen and show empathy. Empathize with persons in pain. We all experience pain in life. After listening, decide on next steps: Prayer for the person. Who else needs to know–with permission? Care in the moment and beyond. Perhaps a person is tearing up and not talking. Take time after class to talk or set up a time to talk.
  2. Use Care Group Leaders to help you care during the week. A teacher cannot do it all. I recommend care groups, much like a deacon family ministry plan.
  3. Have an active prayer chain/prayer ministry. Pain happens during the week as well. Ask Care Leaders to contact you, and have them contact people on their list to pray for those in pain.
  4. Empower people in pain to find the resources they need. Some people can develop a co-dependency to your care. Help them discover strength within themselves by referring them to professional counselors for long term recovery. Certain types of pain need therapy. Don’t try to handle them on your own. Ask your Pastor for referrals that would be helpful.

Pain happens to all of us. Be prepared to help the brokenhearted and those crushed in spirit.

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Sunday School
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Start With The “Why Groups?” Question

By Tony Brooks · Comments (0)
Sunday, August 23rd, 2015

why-image

For several years now, I have been sharing about Simon Sinek’s video and book, “Start with Why” with anyone who would listen. Simon suggests that people buy into the “why” better than the “what.” I would agree! He uses what he calls the Golden Circles, with the “What” being the outer circle, the “How” being the next circle and the “Why” being the inner circle.

I have discovered that most churches focus on the “what” and “how” of small groups rather than the “why”, which is the mission. Here is my “why” for small group Bible study:

Interior Motivation: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  (Matthew 22:3740 NIV)

Exterior Motivation:  Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

With the “why” suddenly the “what” changes and includes all followers of Christ should be in a small group Bible study to love God with all your mind.

We should minister to each other. It is more than fellowship, and requires us to be vulnerable.

Outreach, evangelism and discipleship must be at the forefront of what we do!

The “how” changes as well! When you consider the Great Commandment and Great Commission, we realize that small group Bible studies can happen any day of the week and any place! Every person who begins a small group should see themselves as missionaries and reach others for small groups. Here are some ideas to change your focus to why:

Nametags: David Francis and Rick Howerton, in Countdown: Launching & Leading Transformational Groups on page 38 share an example of mission by suggesting every member of a small group wear nametags. If it is about expecting new people in your small group and seeing yourselves as missionaries, name tags become an essential part of helping newcomers feel welcome.

Connector: Instead of greeter to welcome newcomers, see yourself as connector. Your ministry is to know guests in such a way to connect them to two other people in the small group who have similar interests or vocations. There is a much greater chance to see them return if they have a connection to others in the group.

Investor: Discipleship is about investing in the lives of others inside and outside the small group. Investing in the spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing of newcomers is investing in the Kingdom of God.

Start with why and discover the mission behind small groups. Small groups matter!

_______________

Dr. Tony Brooks is the Field Strategist for Southside Virginia and Sunday School/Discipleship Specialist for the Baptist General Association of Virginia. For more resources visit their website at: http://bgav.org/ or Tony’s blog: www.tonystopic.wordpress.com

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Categories : 31 Day Countdown
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