Adults

Posts Tagged relationship

Feb
24
F Leader , Jay Fennell

Leading an Externally Focused LIFE Group

by Jay Fennell

One of the biggest challenges in leading a LIFE Group is keeping the group externally focused. An externally focused group intentionally builds bridges into the lives of others, especially non-group members. Externally focused groups travel together toward Christlikeness but always looking outward for others to bring on the journey with them. It’s a challenge to lead a group to be externally focused because the natural tendency for any group is to be internally focused, especially groups a year old or older.
The key is to lead the LIFE Group to be internally healthy, but externally focused. Internally, the group prays and cares for each other, strives to build Christ-honoring relationships and studies and applies the Word together. But they also have their eyes focused outward toward others who aren’t connected in community, passionate about developing new relationships with new people, and inviting them to join the journey.
The leader sets the tone for a group that operates this way. Here are some practical ways a leader can keep a LIFE Group externally focused:

    • Fight the natural inertia of inward focus. Regularly remind the group members to make room in their lives for new relationships. Remind them there are people who are disconnected but desperately looking to be connected. Keep it ever before the group that there are people that still need to be reached.
    • Recognize the empty chair. Always have at least one empty chair or seat to represent the person who is not present. Draw the attention of the group to that chair, challenging them to prayerfully consider the person who needs to be in it.
    • Make invitation an expectation. Inwardly focused groups don’t invite their friends, neighbors and acquaintances. Stress the importance of inviting people, expect them to do it and make it a cultural norm of the group. It’s typically true that the LIFE Group leader must model this behavior before it becomes adopted by group members.
    • Consider what God is doing outside the walls. The LIFE Group leader must be sensitive to the work God is doing outside the walls of the classroom or living room, and he/she engages the group to partner with God in that work. Groups that serve together outside the walls have externally focused hearts and minds and God blesses the work of their hands.

 

Jan
27
F Leader , I Leader , Susan Hill

3 Easy Ways to Create a Welcoming Environment in Your LIFE Group

Part 2: Two Excellent Reasons To Wear Nametags

by Susan Hill

It has been said that human beings enjoy hearing their names being said above all other things. I’m not sure whether this is true or not, but I know people long to be known and recognized in a group setting. Undoubtedly, people join a LIFE Group to engage in biblical community where others know them and they have the opportunity to cultivate relationships. Obviously, the first step of building a relationship with someone is learning his or her name. This seems painfully simple but, in a LIFE Group, it’s not uncommon for group members to come week in and week out and not learn everyone’s name in the group.
Wearing nametags in your LIFE Group sends the message that you are anticipating and welcoming newcomers. It’s a simple gesture that will create a welcoming environment that people appreciate. Also, nametags demonstrate that your group places high value on hospitality and makes it much easier for newcomers to learn names.
While it’s true that nametags are beneficial for visitors, nametags also have value for longtime group members as well. Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and you can’t remember their name even though you’ve spoken to them multiple times? It’s an awkward situation and you hesitate to ask them their name because you should know by now. In social settings, this happens more frequently than we would like to admit. Wearing nametags eliminates this potential situation and puts people at ease.
Using nametags is a simple step your group can take in making sure your LIFE Group provides a welcoming atmosphere for guests and group members. LIFE Groups are all about Christ follower’s coming together to study his Word and build relationships with one another. Knowing each other’s name is the first step of any relationship. Let’s be intentional about creating an environment that cultivates relationships, puts everyone at ease, and makes first-time guests want to come back.