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Is Ministry in Small Groups Happening in Yours?
Discover Your Spiritual Gifts
by Elizabeth Marks
How do you help your small group discover their spiritual gifts?
Discovering your spiritual gifts can be exciting. It is sort of like a scavenger hunt. This is where being in a small group can be a lot of fun. Helping others see what they don't see in them self is such a blessing. You can literally encourage someone into their gifts. You might perform a small group exercise to study what scripture says about gifts.
What are Spiritual Gifts?
Romans 12:3-8 NKJV says "3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."
First Corinthians 12:4-11 says "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same[b] Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
How do you know you possess a certain gift or not? Ask God and He will show you. Ask your small group, family, friends or co-workers what they see in your life. They will gladly tell you. Sometimes you need others to point out your gifts because we can't see our self in the right light.
Whether you are internet savvy or not, try searching with "free spiritual assessment". One option is Free Spiritual Gifts Assessment at Churchgrowth.org. It asks about 100 questions to help determine
your gifts. Try it for free.
Lord, thank you for giving each us spiritual gifts to help the body of Christ. Help us discover your gifts to us. Enable us to use our gifts to build up your body. In Your name we pray. Amen.
© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.
Purpose Champions
by Elizabeth Marks
As a small group leader, we are to encourage our members to understand their gifts, talents, and abilities. As we help them discern their gifts, we also provide opportunities to help them use their gifts.
We can provide opportunities for ministering with their gifts, but offering ways they can support the small group. To ensure a healthy balance between the five purposes: Discipleship, Fellowship, Worship, Ministry, and Serving/Sharing, we can identify a person responsible for each area.
Start by identifying who has what gifts. If you have had the group take a spiritual assessment now would be a good time.
Once all the gifts are outlined, you can see who might be gifted for each purpose. Ask for volunteers to champion that purpose.
Let's say someone is really gifted for encouraging others, perhaps they may want to write letters to the group through out the month to keep the members encouraged in between meetings.
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Perhaps a member really has a heart for a particular cause, like feeding the poor. Have that member arrange food donations from the group on a regular basis.
Maybe a member is definitely a "prayer warrior". Have them ask for prayer requests and keep the group informed as to how they should pray for each other.
Say another member really likes diving into the Bible and preparing extra research for the studies. Have this member assist with the teaching by sharing their research with the rest of the group.
You get the idea. Everyone can play a role in the health of the group. When they do, they are in ministry.
© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.
Christmas Outreach
by Elizabeth Marks
There are lots of ways to reach out to others during the Christmas season. Have your small group brainstorm ways they could reach out beyond their normal gift giving circles.
Are there any families your small group members may know about that are going through a difficult time? If so, consider making their Christmas special. Create a Christmas Laundry Basket full of useful, needful items.
Have someone in the group buy a laundry basket. Have the rest of the group buy items to fill the basket up. Items to consider:
- Food items for a nice meal
- Laundry detergent, dryer sheets
- Kitchen towels, pot holders, sponges
- Books, magazines, candles
- Bath and Body products
- Worship CDs, small group study materials
- Board games, deck of cards, Dominos
- Cookies, brownies, cake, or pie
- Canned food, frozen food, dried food (nuts, dried fruit)
- Gift cards to grocery stores, Target or department stores
The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Have your small group think of things to help the family.
© ThinkOnIt Bible Ministries Inc.
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