Need Help Keeping Fellowship in Small Groups
from Being the Main Goal?

How Do We Keep a Healthy Balance of Fellowship in Our Small Groups Without It Taking Over?
by Elizabeth Marks

For my small group fellowship seems to be the easiest.  We naturally like to get together and talk about what's happening in our lives.  We very easily can listen to our friends' troubles as well as share our own.  Fellowship comes easily a lot of the times.

To become a healthy balanced small group we need to ensure that fellowship doesn't become the primary objective of our small group.  God designed us for fellowship, no doubt about it.  God also wants us to focus on other areas, such as worship, discipleship, serving others, and ministry. 

One suggestion is to agree together before the small group begins what the focus of the small group will be.  Sharing the small group guidelines and having everyone agree to it can be a great help.  In such as guideline you might mention some of the following things:

  • What is shared in the group, stays in the group.
  • Do not gossip.
  • Don't try to fix, just listen.
  • Ask if advice is wanted before giving it. 
  • No side conversations, please.  Honor each person by listening to them.
  • Purpose of the group is to be transformed into new people by allowing God to change the way we think.
  • Fellow time during first 10 minutes and after study is over.

These are just some suggestions for your small group guidelines.  It is often very helpful to have the group decide on what gets included in the small group guidelines.  When drafting the guidelines try to keep the 5 purposes mind.

Father, thank you for small group fellowship that encourages us to become all that you desire us to be.  Help us as small group leaders to keep a healthy balance of the 5 purposes in our small groups.  Lead us each moment. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.


© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.

Fellowship is fun when you ask funny questions. 
by Elizabeth Marks

Have you ever considered asking your small group a question like one of the following:

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

Think of a godly woman you know. Describe one character trait about her that demonstrates her faith.

What is the most important trait a godly leader should exhibit? Why?

If you were a flavor of ice-cream, which one would you be and why?

If you were a car, what kind would you be(sedan, truck, minivan, sports car, etc) and why?

Of the following choices which one best describes your relationship with Jesus?
- ice cold
- slightly chilled
- lukewarm
- slow sizzle
- raging fire

Not only do ice-breaker questions really lighten up your small group, they are also very revealing.  Warning, never use your small groups answers against them.  Keep it simple and fun!

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.


Fellowship is about celebrating one another. 

In one small group, we had agreed together to celebrate our birthdays.  No, we don't ask what number the birthday is, but rather celebrate the day God brought us into this life. 

There are many ways to celebrate birthdays.  Here are just a few to get  you thinking about it.

- Plan a set day each year to celebrate everyone's birthday.  This way everyone is included and no one's birthday is missed.  Celebrate with a potluck, desserts, or a coffee/tea party.

- Select someone gifted with administration & organization, ask them  to circulate a birthday card when the day approaches for each member in the group.  Then during that week's meeting, dedicate a few minutes to give the card, hugs and acknowledgments to the birthday person.

- You might consider raising a birthday fund.  Everyone pitches in a small amount, and someone buys a small gift for the birthday person when their day approaches.



Visit http://www.OCCreations.com Today!

- Other variation on the gift idea, is to collect money to donate to a specific charity. The group should agree in advance what charity they would like to support.  Then when a birthday rolls around, the group donates an amount in the birthday person's honor.

- Set up automated birthday wishes through Dayspring.com electronic birthday cards.  You pick an e-card, personalize the message, add the  person's email address and select a future date to send the e-card. You can even setup a free account to log all your birthday friends in at one time. 

Birthday's are special because people are special.  Let's begin treating each other as God would want us to.

© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.





Home | Blog | Customer Testimonials | About Us | Contact Us 

Follow Us | Subscribe Here | Visit Store | Donate | Press Releases