What Challenges You Most as a Life Group Leader?

Do you lead or facilitate a Life Group, or have you in the past?  Do you lead a Bible Study, Men's or Women's Group or ongoing Bible class?  Here's a question: What Challenges You Most as a Life Group Leader?  There is a poll for your answer on the bottom left for ten days.  Your answers will help shape this blog!

Restart with GroupLink

In the New Year we plan to present something cool called GroupLink.  GroupLink takes place twice a year - in January and August.  Please set aside Sunday, January 13th (after second service) for a time to connect with those who have not yet enjoyed the Life Group experience here at Hydesville Church.  Lunch will be served.  We will hear a short video from Andy Stanley and then connect in community groups for eight weeks.  After eight weeks each group decides whether they want to continue on as a group or to assimilate into other groups.  Each group decides where and when they want to meet.  If you currently have a Life Group this is a great place to ask a couple others to join your existing group.  If you are not currently in a group, but have led in the past this is a great place to restart with a group for the new year.

Andy Stanley said something profound as it relates to his very large church in Atlanta and the Life Groups they have in their church.  You may or may not know Andy Stanley (son of Charles Stanley) has an incredibly popular ministry with the mission of creating a church that unchurched people love to attend.  Andy Stanley is personally very popular - he is a pastor, in demand conference speaker and and a very successful author.  That is why his words on this subject mean so much.  He said, basically, that if something terrible happened to his church building (like it was leveled in a natural disaster), and he was also suddenly not able to physically pastor the church would still go on because they would tend to meet in circles (groups) all around the city in their version of Life Groups.  The people are connected within the church community and would continue to meet without a church building or without Andy Stanley.  Said a different way, their church is constructed around "circles" (Life Groups) rather than "rows" (the worship service being the only point of connection). 

And so from Andy's illustration we can see why it is so important for our church to be connected personally in small groups...in Life Groups.  And, that is why we are restarting with GroupLink!    

That's Not Fair!

Even though we know that life is not fair, there is something within us that is convinced that certain things ought to be just.  The one who follows Christ is to be committed to justice for others.  Micah 6:8 tells us, “He has told you, O man, what is good;  And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” 

However, despite our efforts, we live in a fallen world.  Sometimes we have a hand in making something unfair for someone else.  Sometimes we are the ones who are handed the “unfair” card.  When we think of the sweet psalmist of Israel, David, we can see he walked into an “unfair” situation with a significant person in his life.

David was in a tough spot from the beginning in his relationship with King Saul. 

Transition in governments are more typically problematic than not.  It was hard for Saul to accept that a young king from an unexpected source was anointed King from Israel’s revered and respected prophet, Samuel.  And although David was anointed, he was not at liberty to exercise his authority until the current king was removed from power.  As a “man after God’s own heart”, David knew this transition of power was “God’s deal” to accomplish – not his.  Author Thomas Rodgers related, “Being anointed king and becoming king were two different things.”  Although David had the right to the throne an ungodly man sat in power and would do so for the next fifteen years!  There was intense rivalry between the two, “but David patiently waited for God to work out His program so that he could sit on the throne with honor”.   Saul tried hunting down David and attempted to kill him.  David dealt with these overwhelming circumstances by trusting in God, acting in bold faith and being incredibly patient.  David had a very mature understanding of God’s heart in the area of authority.  Even though the man that occupied the office of king was an ungodly man, David would neither demean nor trivialize the office in any way.  What typified David’s nature in his relationship with Saul was patience and outrageous (from a human stand point) trust in the sovereignty of God.  David’s conscience was tender and it was important to him to do the right thing.

Saul’s attitude toward David was characterized by jealousy and insecurity.  Conversely, David’s attitude toward Saul was characterized by a gracious, forgiving spirit and a magnetic sense of security that was anchored in his relationship with God. 

Although life was not fair for the fifteen years for David from the time he was anointed King until he was officially honored as king, David’s character was honed and refined by the “unfair” process.  As in the case with much adversity, the time in which he had to bear under the weight of injustice proved to be a time that sweetened his spirit and forged him into that man that was “after God’s own heart.” 

Are you in a situation that is just not fair?   Take courage.  God is still working.  God is sovereign and makes possible that the oven or your adversity will form in you a gentleness and sweetness that makes people want to be around you, because you are becoming “Christlike.” 

“For He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  Job 23:10

Responsible Leadership

“…So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.”…Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control – for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies – then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered together to him… Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves.  But now, if  You will, forgive their sin – and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You has written!”…Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just  as a man speaks to his friend”  Exodus 32:14;25,26,31,32;   33:11a 

Moses, human though he was – showed great responsibility in leadership.  He pleaded the case of his people to the LORD, being so persuasive that the LORD changed His mind.  Minister Matthew Henry (1662-1714) penned in his commentary, “The power of prayer; God suffers himself to be prevailed with by the humble believing importunity of intercessors.  The compassion of God toward sinners, and how he is ready to forgive.”    

Moses begged God not to act out of His anger that He felt .  Yet, when God gave Moses the request of his heart, Moses turned around and got angry himself with the people, moving swiftly to see that justice was carried out.  He did on his own, in part, what he begged God not to do. 

Then acknowledging the people’s sin before the LORD, Moses adds that if the LORD is going to blot people out of His book – to blot out himself as well.  Moses, in a sense took on the responsibility for the sin of the people even through he was not a participant in the blatantly rebellious acts they performed.   Moses identified with the people he led, being willing to take punishment along with them.  Perhaps Moses understood, given different circumstances, he could have succumbed as well.  If we understand  the nature of temptation and the truth of our humanness, we know that none of us are immune to falling.   “There but by the grace of God, go I.”   Maybe Moses could identify with the people because of the humbleness of his spirit.  Even though what they did was awful, and justice needed to be carried out, Moses was able to appeal to the mercy of God’s character because he understood he also needed God’s mercy for himself. 

Moses was a peacemaker and reconciler between God and the Israelites.  Moses was a friend of God and a leader of the people. 

In leadership, sometimes people will disappoint us.  We may grieve when they sin, and part of our grief is in realizing that we could be in that other person’s shoes.  As a leader our job is to pray to the LORD on behalf of the people we lead, and then be responsible to do the right thing in the eyes of the LORD.  We may have to lovingly discipline people.  We may have to turn away (Romans 16:17) those who cause division.  But for those whom we are called to lead – we identify with them and bring their needs before the LORD.  We shepherd, we nurture, we admonish, we love.  We exhort people to stay true to the LORD. We lead responsibly.

Leading and Facilitating ...A Great Way to Learn

So you have stepped out if faith and said, "o.k., I'll lead."  Or rather, "no!  I'm not leading,...I'm FACILITATING!"  O.k., o.k., fine, you are facilitating! 

Now you are in for an adventure!  There is something highly motivational about having a bunch of eager leaders right at your heals to make one want to learn!  Keeping one step ahead can catapult us in the areas of learning Bible knowledge, how to learn leadership skills and draw us to that all important position of being on our knees! 

Living in the information age has made resources more available than ever.  On this blog notice the long list of links to access great Bible teacher resources.  Our church library of a few thousand volumes lovingly cataloged by sweet saints like Eva Fry, Estelle Trammell, Linda Clark and others.  The staff would LOVE to point you to more Bible resources!  Make a list of questions and pepper them with questions!

Great books and DVD's give us access to the brightest, gifted and insightful communicators on the planet! Take full advantage of the wealth of knowledge at your fingertips.

Schedule some time with a Life Group leader who has years of experience.  Take a pencil and paper, some questions and listen well!  Ask for prayer in the areas where you struggle.  You will make a friend and possibly even a mentor.    

A leader is a learner!  All right, all right, and a facilitator need be a learner as well! 

Promoting Your Group

You may have started with a larger group, but between people moving geographically, varied work schedules, and the new sports season for some of the children -  your group has decreased to a number that feels more like a "couple of couples getting together" rather than a "group."  What to do?

While one can always let the Life Group Director know the state of the group, it is important as a growing leader to also seek to expand your group.  After all, who knows the complexion and personality of your group better than you?  Who could best discern a good fit (humanly speaking)?  That would be you!

So here are some tips to get started on inviting others to join your group!

• When you meet people at the worship service, simply invite by asking something like, "are you in a Life Group?  We meet on _________ nights, and we'd sure love to have you join us!"
• Intentionally build relationships.  Do lunch or a latte with someone with whom you seem to connect.  Take the initiative!
• Follow up on prayer requests.  Do you know someone on your prayer list who could use some encouragement?  Often the troubles of life tend to isolate us from the needed support of our church family.  Ask that person how they are doing and see if they need any specific help you can provide - like an extra meal or a little handyman work around the home. 
• Pray through the church directory.  In this age and time people move a lot.  Life changes quickly, and far too soon we get disconnected from those who used to sit next to us in church.  Pray for that person or family on your heart and follow up that prayer with a call or note of encouragement. 
• When your group starts a new study that you think is exciting, call the church Life Group Director and ask her to highlight it in the church bulletin and list online in the Life Group Finder for a couple of weeks.
• When your group is studying a Bible passage or new book that has impacted your spiritual lives, be sure to tell others.  Let the Life Group Director know of good study materials you have found.
• Be involved in mercy (Micah 6:8) projects, and let the church know how you are ministering in the church and/or community.     

I Don't Know All the Answers!

So you have taken that step of faith and said yes when that church leader asked you to become a Life Group leader!  You read the material, previewed the teaching video and you are ready to open your home and heart to others so that you might have this Life Group experience together!  Awesome!   And, you are terrified!!  Terrified, because you just know they are going to ask you questions that you can't answer.  Terrified because they will figure out that you are not a great Bible Scholar and you are apprehensive about those awkward moments when you invite someone new over.  Guess what?  You are in a great place!

All those thoughts and feelings of inadequacy not only indicates a sense of humility but a recognition of a needed dependence on God.  And that is key! 

II Corinthians 3:4-6a tells us, "We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ.  It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own.  Our qualification comes from God.  He has enabled us to be ministers of His new covenant."  (NLT)

God is pleased when we step out in faith and obey Him.  Perhaps you experienced a prompting in your spirit to start a Life Group.  Maybe you saw the need and seeing no one else willing to step up, you looked around and said, "I'll do it."  Good for you!

Everything of spiritual significance that we step into needs to begin with prayer.  How often the Israelites got in hot water because they often went charging into battle without consulting the Lord.  We need to seek His will and His enabling through prayer.  So first base for being a Life Group Leader is to step it up in the area of prayer.  Pray for God's leading.  Pray for those God would have come to this group. 

Next, be a student of the word, but also be a fellow traveler on the journey of life.  People don't need an expert, but they do need someone who is real, who is growing in their walk of faith, and who is willing to say at times, "I don't know the answer to that, but I will study on it this week and we can talk about it next week.  There are great Bible study resources available and a church staff that would love to hear your Bible questions and direct your in searching for your answers.

Third, just be your self.  God has amazing ways of bringing together people in groups and finding that although they may be diverse, we have a common faith which causes us to be called brothers and sisters in Christ.  That indicates an amazing bond that is available to us as believers.

A great journey is ahead.  Pray, be a student of the Word, be humble, teachable, and yourself.  People want to such follow leaders!  God bless you on your new endeavor as a Life Group Leader!!