Archive for 100 Small Changes – Page 3

Communication Tools to Use with Your Class

By Sandy Coelho · Comments (0)
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016

communication-toolsWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Communication leads to community, an important goal for groups.  As the leader, ensure your participants hear from you regularly so they feel connected to the group.  This will also help group members keep up with group life when unable to attend, and it also allows you to communicate opportunities of connection beyond the group time.

WHAT DO I DO? Today there are many communication options…

  • Handwritten notes:  While some think that this option has gone the way of the dinosaur, many really appreciate the time, effort and sentiment that a note brings.  Invest in note cards and stamps. Send out a card or two to group members every week. It really makes an impression.
  • Telephone calls:  This method allows for a two way conversation that is personal. Calls communicate that you want to hear what is happening in your student’s life.  Carve out time to make 1 or 2 calls a week, and watch your relationships with students become stronger.
  • Texting:  Find ways to text very short but meaningful texts to your class members to let them know that you are praying for them and to remind them of brief, but important information.
  • Social Media:  This tool could be utilized to facilitate total class interaction.  You might use this option for digging deeper into a question from your group time or to share other information relevant to your topic.  You can also share information that people might have missed.

There are other ways to communicate, but the key will be practicing them. Find what works best for your group. Mix them up and avoid getting stuck in a rut.

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Enlist Teens to Serve as Class Leaders in Student Classes

By Darryl Wilson · Comments (0)
Tuesday, November 1st, 2016

volunteerWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? In 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV), Paul encourages Timothy, a young pastor to be strengthened in Christ “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” Teens communicate, care, and reach out to teens best. Enlist, train, and mobilize them to carry out the work of the group.

WHAT DO I DO? Take these steps:

  1. ask God to send teen workers (Matthew 9:38),
  2. observe what students are saying and doing,
  3. take students with you (in pairs) for life and group ministry,
  4. ask them questions to reflect upon their experiences,
  5. when you are sure the teen is the one, ask him/her to pray about joining the team to carry out group work,
  6. provide a simple job description and continue to give on-the-job training,
  7. continue to encourage and coach the student, and
  8. encourage the student leader to go through the same steps to enlist an apprentice.

Following these steps will help teens gain confidence and competence so they will say yes to you and God when you ask them to join you. Don’t try to do the work alone. Prayerfully enlist, develop, and mobilize teens into service. Guide them to be fulfilled and fulfulling as they carry out the work of the group!

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Mission Projects for Your Group

By David Ludwig · Comments (0)
Monday, October 31st, 2016

commhelpWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Groups have a tendency to become inwardly focused, and to prevent that it is important that we stay focused on the mission.  Jesus said to the disciples, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)

We know the importance of studying the Bible together, praying for one another and fellowship, but we must never let the group forget our mission: to be a light and tell others about the Good News of Jesus! (Matthew 28:19-20).

WHAT DO I DO? Meet together as a group and decide what you want to do, and then begin to make plans. Here are a few ideas for group mission projects:

  • Help neighbors with some work around their homes.
  • Clean up a neighborhood park.
  • Have a Backyard Bible Club.
  • Volunteer at a local shelter or soup kitchen.
  • Work with a local school.

Jesus said we are to let our light shine, and we do that by being out in the community and serving others. Be the light that shines for Jesus!

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3 Ways to Lead Your Group to Pray for Each Member

By Mark Miller · Comments (0)
Sunday, October 30th, 2016

prayerWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Paul wrote in Colossians 1:9: “For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you.”  Every group needs a prayer strategy that encourages members to contact one another and to share special prayer concerns.

WHAT DO I DO? Here are three ways:

  1. Develop a Prayer Strategy. Three possible strategies:
    • A prayer chain. A member would contact the prayer coordinator.  The prayer coordinator would contact the first person in the chain and then the second person would contact the next person, and so on.
    • A prayer pyramid. A prayer pyramid is similar to a prayer chain. The prayer coordinator contacts the first two persons and they contact the two persons each, etc.
    • A prayer circle. The prayer coordinator enlists and maintains contact with prayer captains, who in turn enlist and maintain contact with other group members. Be sure that all group members are assigned to a prayer group.
  2. Use a Prayer Concerns Sheet. Pass it around at each group meeting. List specific concerns such as prayer for spiritual concerns, physical healing, family and friends, persons who are grieving.  Special needs and circumstances, unspoken prayer requests, other.  Email the list to each member following class.
  3. Text. Many groups use text messages to remind people to pray and to send updates on prayer requests.

A verse to remember: 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”

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Coach a New Leader to Thrive

By Ken Kessler · Comments (0)
Saturday, October 29th, 2016

WHY IS THIS IlearnleadMPORTANT? How do you handle a new leader in your Sunday School? Every year, we develop new leaders to help us in Sunday School. How familiar do these ideas sound?

  • You hand them a job description.
  • You provide training opportunities for them.
  • You take the time to lay out a plan of action.

For some reason, though, you still wonder if they have caught the vision and understand the role. Have you done what you can? Now, will they own the vision and  commit to the needed steps and actions?

WHAT DO I DO? How about using a coaching approach with the new leader? The leadership coaching approach encourages you to do the following:

  • Listen to their thoughts about what they think they should do. Hear their ideas and thoughts about ways to accomplish their goals. Listen for their fears and concerns.
  • Ask powerful, open-ended questions that get them to define their goals, their options to complete their work, and ways they can meet their goals. Here are some examples:
    • What do you want to accomplish in your class?
    • What are your options for completing this work?
    • Who else can you get involved with you?
    • What is one step you can take to accomplish this goal?
  • Help the new leader decide specific steps they can take and how they can create an accountability structure to get the work done.

This approach can lead to action, accountability, and growth of the new leader. Try it this year!

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