Turning from Getting to Giving

We've got to help our groups turn the corner from 'Getting groups' to 'Giving groups.' We've got to stop just talking about reaching out to those around us and do it...us as leaders have to lead the way. Whether it's just taking the opportunity to sit next to someone you don't know in the dining hall or challenging your group to invite their neighbors to Real Life or taking someone with you when you share your faith, we've got to be others focused and help build that reality into the men and women we influence. Be creative! Every guy/girl is at a different spot in their relationship with Christ, but all need help in experiencing the joy of being used by God and serving him.

This is critical...there's no possability of giving every student a chance to hear the life changing message of Jesus Christ if we don't create disciples that are about telling others about Christ!

Here is the article we discussed in Leadership meeting last night if you missed it. Specifically the 3rd component...."Doing ministry together."

Nuggets to get started.

Here are the links to the two Cru.com articles we talked about this weekend at the D-group leaders retreat. Again, these things would be great 'nuggets' to discuss as you try and build community amongst your D-groups! Don't forget to continue to invite people to your small group this week.

Community

Eternal Perspective

(username: mtstate password:bobcats)

Ideas on community!

Activities can break down relational barriers quickly especially for those who need more than a cup of coffee to bond! These first few weeks, take your group out together and create bonds through common experience, inside jokes, and new memories. Here are some ideas:

Hike the ‘M’ – Go right over the top of when you have your D-group scheduled, or go late at night with headlamps, grab a couple groups from the same pond and go together.

Play Ultimate Frisbee – Any activity that gets the blood pumping and people running into each other can bond a group. A group may want to challenge another group to a game. The common ‘enemy’ could bond your D-group! =)

Have Dinner together – Gather your group and make dinner in someone’s house, or go out to dinner. Girls may want to get dressed up and guys may want to go to an all you can eat and see what you can put down. An especially smart guys group may want to ask a girls group to do something together…

Go on an overnight Camping Trip – They came to Bozeman for the outdoors so take them out! One night under the stars and you have a group. Just remind them of the circle of trust or you may have stories circulating of the crazy stuff that goes on.

Have a Game Night – Take the night off of D-group and teach your new friends Texas Hold ‘em or Play a memorable game of Catch Phrase or Cranium. Laughing and a little competition are good for the soul.

Real Life is coming

Aaahhh school. Couple hundred dollers at the bookstore, football season, nice weather (for at least a couple weeks) and THE FIRST REAL LIFE OF THE YEAR! With Real Life on wednesday, it is a critical time to get your D-group off the ground and running.

Items of business:

1) Set your time, day and location and get it to Shana pronto! They are making advertising to go up at Real Life and I know you want your group up there!

2)Invite people to your D-group! (Especially while at Real Life)

3)Invite more people to your D-group!

4)Go ahead and invite all the same people all over again plus some more.

I hope you understand the importance of the personal invite. I would have never got involved in a group without an invite from the leader! So get after it this next week.

The Power of a small group

pow·er --- Strength or force exerted or capable of being exerted

Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and other support groups all understand the power of small groups to change behavior. Christians have met in small groups for two thousand years.

Why are small groups so powerful? For one thing, they help diverse individuals, usually only marginally connected, grow together as friends and work together toward similar spiritual goals.These groups are effective because individuals draw strength and support from each other. Rarely does anyone benefit spiritually from being a lone ranger.

Small groups not only change the lives of those in the group, but they often bring about powerful change beyond the group. Families take notice as the son or daughter that left for college comes back with a growing relationship with God. Week after week friends and roommates watch this group get together at the end of the hall. They hear them laugh, watch them study the Bible, and see them reach out to each other as friends. It's appealing and they may want to be part of it.

Most small groups work together to give something back to their campus or community. They may put on an evangelistic even in their dorm or greek house or help out with another need on campus. Never underestimate the power of God working through a group to change lives!

Taken from -- Leading a small Group: The Ultimate Roadtrip

School is getting closer!

Hey everyone, we hope you summer has been off the chart fantastic...or at least reasonably good. We're (the staff team) are praying for you all and can't wait to see you in a few weeks.

Just a little reminder to be praying for D-group you will be leading or are thinking about leading. It's right around the corner and we want to hit the ground running when those 4000 new freshemen move in August 23rd!

I'll also be posting some helpful hints and key components of a small group as we get closer.

Matt Kirby is excited!

Practical things for over the summer...

in preparation for the fall.

1. Pray for your future group...
-for the hearts of those that will join your group
-for your group to experience life giving community/relationships.
-for you and other leaders to have wisdom, direction and patience

2. If you are co-leading with someone (which we recomend) connect with them a couple times over the summer (just a phone call will do), pray together and brainstorm about details. Later in the summer nail down when and where your small group will be so you can be ready to invite people the first day of school (you can always change it later).

3. Spend some time thinking through objectives for your group in the fall (more to come soon on the components we would love to see every group have). What can you do to help your group connect outside of the scheduled time, what should we study(talk to a Staff member, that's what we're here for, check out links on the right), how can I model it for them to get a vision for leading in fall of 2007 or 2008?

4. Pray some more!