ALC Life Group Blog

Choose a Group Because of Curriculum, Stay in a Group Because of Relationships

This week I have been in several meetings looking at ways to develop different kinds of lifegroup opportunities at Abundant Life.  We are looking at some topical studies for men, some new Financial Peace University groups, and a next step from Starting Point called Foundations to name a few.  We are seeking to create as many opportunities as possible.  Why?  Because people often first join a small group because of the Curriculum (or study topic), and they will stay in a group because of Relationships.  The content of a group is important.  It is one of the first questions people ask when looking to join a small group.  The question they are really asking is "Will this experience add value to my life," or "is this group going to help me grow?"  It is one of the first things that draws people to a group.  This is why it's so important for group leaders to have a plan for what they are going to study at the beginning of each season.  It's also one of the reasons why it's important for groups to start at the beginning of the study at the start of each season. However, during the course of the season the relationships that are formed become the glue that will draw group members back the following season.  Spiritual growth in a small group requires both good content and relationships.

Summer Lifegroup Season Begins this Week!

The Abundant Life Summer Lifegroup season begins this week.  Most groups will have their first meeting tonight.  Connecting to a Summer Group is a great way to connect with others, make some friends, have a blast, and grow closer to God.  If you would like to find a group simply click here.

Why do you love small groups?

As we get ready to launch the summer Lifegroup season I was thinking about this question this morning? Why do I love small groups? For me it's where community and authentic relationships happen. I have been part of so many Sunday School classes in a church growing up where everyone came to listen someone spew out some great knowledge and then everyone went on their merry way. I realized something was missing in that environment. People weren't opening up about their lives, people weren't interacting with one another, people weren't caring for each other, people weren't praying together, and people weren't learning to study and think on their own. Small groups provide a unique environment that allows people to engage in each other's lives. They allow friendships to form, and care to be expressed. But most of all they allow an opportunity to participate in their spiritual growth together as a group. Check out this from the Community Life Pastor at North Point Community Church. Share below why you love small groups?

Choosing the Right Curriculum for your Lifegroup!

One of the questions I get a lot is what should my group study next. As a church we encourage all of our groups to study the same thing together in the fall. This is often a study we create to accompany the weekend series. This creates both unity and energy as we are all growing in the same direction.  In the spring and summer seasons we will usually encourage groups to choose their own study.  This choice can sometimes be a difficult choice with so many curriculum options available.  When choosing a curriculum there are several things to consider.

1.  Topic of the Study:  Will this topic connect with the people in my group?
2.  Length of the Study:  Can we finish this in the length of the season? 
3.  Depth of the Study:  Does this study connect with the spiritual maturity of my group?
4.  Format of the Study:  Do we want something with DVD teaching, read a book together, or go through a workbook?

Answering these four questions will better prepare you to choose a study for your group.  To help make this selection easier we have created an Abundnat Life Curriculum List.  This is not an exhaustive list, but provides some great resources to get started.  The Studies that are noted with a red * are studies that would be fantastic for the summer season.  You can view this Curriculum List by clicking the link below.

Download Lifegroup Approved Curriculum List

Get Ready for the Summer Lifegroup Season!

The Spring 2009 Lifegroup Season at Abundat Life will be coming to an end the last week of April.  It has been an incredible season as we have some record numbers of people sign-up for a Lifegroup at Abundant Life. 

But the Summer Season is right around the corner!  The Summer lifegroup season will begin the 2nd week of June and run through the middle of August.  We regonize that Summer in the NW is a unique time of the year.  The kids are out of school.  The weather is great.  And people are active.  So our Summer lifegroups will be unique as well.  These are 4 characteristics that will reflect our summer lifegroups:

1. They will meet every other week (This will help accomodate people's active schedules)
2. They will study a shorter curriculum (no longer than 4-6 sessions)
3. They will have a fun element  (We are asking groups to take advantage of the weather by meeting in the park, do a BBQ, play yard games in the backyard)

4. The will SERVE in a Wii Love Our Community project together  (Check the Wii Love Our Community Kiosk in the lobby)

In addition, we are encouraging group leaders to be creative by leading more ACTIVITY focused groups.  These groups will still study together, but then will engage in an activity together such as Golf, Tennis, Jogging, Fishing, Bike Riding, etc.)

If you would be interested in STARTING a Summer Lifegroup at Abundant Life please let me know.  You can email me at Jeff@coolchurch.com

Journey through the Bible

This morning I read out of Judges.  Gideon is preparing the Israelites for battle against the armies of Midian.  Apparently, Israel has so many warriors ready to fight that it did not appear that it was going to be much of a fight at all.  Israel had all of the soldiers they needed to take out this army.  At first glance it seems like there is no problem.  This isn't going to be much of a story at all.  Israel shows up with Big army and wipes out lesser army.  No big deal.  But then God makes it more interesting.

In Judges 7:2-3 God says, "You have too many warriors with you.  If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength.  Therefore, tell the people, 'Whoever is timid or afraid my leave and go home."

This significantly lessened the Israel army, but it wasn't enough.  22 thousand went home.  10 thousand stayed.  But it wasn't enough.  In fact, God took the army down to 300.  Then God said to Gideon, "With these three hundred men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites."

Here is the lesson for me in this.  God wants me to depend on his strength and power not mine.  He wants me to trust him more than I trust myself.  In fact, He is way more interested in developing this area of my life than he is about my comfort.  Why?  Because when we trust God in seemingly impossible situations and His power comes through He gets the attention.  He gets the praise.  He gets the worship.

I needed this this morning.  It is a reminder that in seemingly difficult times God is still at work, He is still on the throne, and he can still be trusted.  Are you trusting in God's great power in your life today?

Pre Season Training...Spring 2009

Last Monday we kicked off the lifegroup season with Pre Season training.  We gathered over 100 leaders in the auditorium for a fun night together as we connected with one another and prepared for the start of the upcoming season.  If you missed out on the training you can relive the experience here.

Part one was training for all lifegroup leaders led by Jeff Boxell and the Lifegroup Coordinator team.

 

http://www.audioacrobat.com/play/WSwjHtk4

Part two was training for all Financial Peace University Groups led by T.J Johnson

http://www.audioacrobat.com/play/WJ82xZk4

If you would like a copy of the notes from the event simply contact your coordinator and they would be happy to help you out.

 

Journey through John

"I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep.  So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away.  Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep."  John 10:11-14

Thank you Jesus that you do not run away, but that you are the good shepherd who cares for us and is willing to lay down your life.

Lessons from Catalyst: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel, pastor of lifechurch tv, game one of the most inspired messages at Catalyst.  He talked about "Finding IT when you've lost IT."  Craig recently wrote a book titled, IT.  IT referes to the passionatate and vibrant movement of God with the church.  There is something about churches that have IT.  You know when they have IT.  You know when they don't have IT.  IT cannot be programmed or bought.  God makes IT happen.  You cannot create IT or generate IT on your own.  IT is not a model.  The upside of IT is changed lives.  The downside of IT is it attracts leaders.

But if a church is going to have IT then the leaders need to have IT.  I need to have IT.  To be overcome and overwhelmed by the great power of God.  If we as leaders do not possess IT, our ministry and the people we lead will never have it.  So if we've lost IT how do we get IT back?  Craig offered 3 prayers to pray for those who have lost IT and are looking to get IT back.

3 Prayers to pray when seeking to restore IT

1.  God stretch me.  We need to ask God to take us places where we are uncomfortable and are unknown.  When God opens up an opportunity we need to be committed to obeying his voice.  We need to be so intuned to God's voice that we hear him speak and lead in our lives and are courageous enough to follow where he leads.  He will stretch us beyond what we believe is possible.  The question is "what will stretch you?"

2.  God Heal Me:  We need to be freed from the addictions, hurts, and hangups in life that can distract us from God.  This can be things like idolatry, people pleasing, work aholicism, addiction to adrenaline, vanity, eating, etc.  Once we pray that pray we need to be willing to take the necessary steps to find healing such as talking to someone who can help.  The question is "who or what will heal me?

3.  God Ruin Me:  We need to be broken, crushed before God.  To come to the place where our hearts beat for the things that makes God's heart beat.  We need to return to God with fasting, mourning, and weeping (Joel 1:13) before the throne of God until we get IT back.

Have you lost IT?  Do you want IT back?  Pray God stretch me, God heal me, God ruin me.  And don't give up.

Lessons from Catalyst: Jim Collins "Good to Great"

Jim Collins offered up some incredible leadership principles from his book "Good to Great."  Here are a few of the highlights of what he had to say.

Good is the enemy of great!
Greatness is a function of conscious choice and discipline.  Great institutions have a culture of disciplines.

There are several principles that separate good organizations from great organizations:

1.  Discipline of the Flywheel:  Push hard on the flywheel until it builds momentum.  It is hard and slow at first but eventually picks up momentum .  Don't stop pushing!  Great leaders fall when they begin to overreach by demonstrating an undisciplined pursuit of more.  They are seduced by success.

2.  Who Principle:  You cannot compromise on the quality of people who take up seats on the bus.  Great leaders need to ask "Who?" then "What?"  If you get the right Who's you will get better What's!

3.  Leadership:  Great leaders demonstrate humility!  They care more about the mission, vision, and values of an organization more than they are concerned with their self.  "If it's about you, you will not build something great!."

4.  Hedge Hog Principle:  Focus on one big thing!  What are you deeply passionate about?  And what can you be the best at?  Don't be distracted.  Create a stop doing list!  The things that distract from the Hedgehog.  "To have a to do list without a stop doing list is undisciplined and unproductive!"

"Don't confuse values with practices!"  "Every generation needs the freedom to create practices in order to pass on the values!"