Creating Small Group Intimacy

We need to create an environment where people will feel comfortable to remove their masks. 

That is the purpose of Small Groups.  

Here is a scripture about how gaining trust creates peace.

  

Romans 15:13(NIRV)

13 May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. 

May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. 

May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.

I frankly don't care how much of the materials you cover.  

What I want is to reach their hearts. 

Pick a key element out of your week and create questions around that.  

If we can get them to fill out the work book beforehand themselves, that'll free us up to branch off. 

Here is our tool kit for our small group.

1. The Holy Spirit.

2. The brain between your ears.

3. The Freedom Group manual.  

Be yourself.  

If you ask them what they think, you're getting to their intellect.  

If you ask them how they feel, you're getting to their emotions. 

Don't take a yes or no answer.  

Don't answer your own questions.  

If I'm looking for an answer, I'll say.  

What do you all think about this?  

Use the 20% talk 80% listen rule.  

If I'm asked a question that I don't know, I'll say.  

I'll get back to you next week about this.  

I try not to tell them how to. 

Ask them how do you think that we should do it (Application) ?  

Afterwards we ask...

1. How did it go?

2. What can we do better?

3. How can we do it differently next week?

We want everyone of the participates to share how they came to faith in Jesus within 5 minutes each. 

We want to know...

1. What was their life like before they became a believer?

2. How did they become a believer?

3. How is their life different since they became a believer?

4. Would their story lead anyone to Jesus?

If God strikes a cord, follow the Holy Spirit as He leads.  

Take your notes from the previous semester and make them into questions.  

Find the 1% part of a participates comment that you agree with and major on it.  

We all need to share our vulnerabilities which help open up the group.   

Do not become the authority.  

Once you become the authority people close up.  

If you're looking for another answer, say that's a really good point, but does anyone else have something to add?  

You've got to be careful with the why questions. 

That'll put them on the defensive.  

 Notes taken from Church of the Highlands