Welcome to the new home of Echoes of Grace!
I’m glad you stopped by.
Do make sure and read my bolded note at the bottom of this post.
GRAND, Ashlyn under the beautiful fall tree.
It started with school days, then teaching days coinciding with collegiate ministry, followed by church ministry. That’s a lot of years of September beginnings. My calendar, a 9-month, 3-month schedule kicks off (pun intended) every September. Old habits die hard.
Leading Bible studies and other small groups often kick off in September too. Beginning in my college years, it continues today. I bet many of you are also blessed to lead small groups.
As this September new year rolls around again, it’s good for me to remember … and I’ll share with you … my top 10 lessons of small group leading. Perhaps these will help you too.
1) Don’t go to my closet and pull out my leader hat. Be who I am. Share vulnerably. Everyone is growing.
2) Keep peeling the layers of the onion in my life. No matter how many times I’ve been through the material, approach it as if it’s the first time.
3) Partner in leading. Invite your friend to lead with you; take advantage of her strengths. Affirm her often.
4) Communicate regularly. Invite the people in your group to meet for coffee or come for lunch. Call, text, email – let them know you want to be a friend.
5) Share other resources you happen upon freely. Learning doesn’t always initiate with me. Blogs, magazine articles, you-tube videos. The resources never end.
6) The value is in the group! Listen and learn from the others. If I don’t, I miss out big time. Give them the pedestal.
7) A leader, no. God gave me this group to help facilitate what we are all learning. We’re in this together.
8) Pray, pray, and pray again. For yourself, for your friends in the group. For wisdom, for ears to hear, for the Word to truly be living and active for each group member.
9) Set up anticipation. I’ll share how I heard from God next week. Or something similar.
10) Know when to take a semester off to re-charge your spiritual batteries.
I’m designing a gift (a brand spanking-new eBook) for you
as a THANK YOU for signing up for the new Echoes of Grace.
So, before you leave the site today, do sign up to be part of our Echoes of Grace community. That way I’ll have the address to send your gift to you.
Blessings, sue
Good things to remember as we are in the midst of life group leader training at our church and will be launching a new group in the next couple of months.
Hi Chris, I’m always encouraged to hear that my thoughts my minister to another. Thanks for sharing. sue
Sue,
You are a blessing to all who know you! See you soon, OK?
Hey Kathy, you are too. Looking forward to our time together. love, sue
I like #7❤️
Thanks Meghan … I’ll go back and check what #7 is. LOL. sue
Thanks for your dedication to writing, teaching, facilitating and befriending!
Candy, you are a great encourager. I’m blessed to call you friend. sue
Thank you for taking the time and thought to invest in women!
Excellent lessons, Sue. Love the vulnerability emphasis. Thanks for sharing your heart
Thank you Bob. I’m honored that you stopped by. I know Deb did yesterday. Say hello for me. sue
Love these tips! Thank you
You are welcome.
Love these tips! Thank you!
Thanks Rachel. Thanks for coming by. I think you have the gift of encouragement. #7 seems to be getting the most attention. love, sue
So appreciate your insights and your experience Sue.
Thanks Cathy for being a friend. Your words are encouraging. I pray Col 1:25 for this blog. love, sue
Great advice! I love #7 🙂
Thank you Amanda!