X-treeme DGs
DG's: a.k.a Discipleship Groups!
This just might be one of the most important web-pages you will ever visit.
If you are thinking of joining a DG, let me quote myself by saying... "YEEEEE HAAAAA!" (Pastor Jeff).
This is a great investment in your life and the lives of some soon to be close friends.
What is a Discipleship Group?
Check on the little red line below. This is a link for important information and details on the steps to take to get connected:
For the Leader...
Here is an article i found and added my personal tweek to it (in Italics)
I thought these 4 'jobs' were insightful and helpful:
(Article by Chris Sxulwach from Youth Ministry Today.com)
JOB #1 = Care,
Chris begins with a reminder that the old saying is true... 'they don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.: The key job of a small group (DG) leader is to care.
It's really that simple. But how do we let students know how much we really care? there are two practical ways to break this down. 1) Be there and 2) Pray.
Be there! Being there is just like it says. To be there for a teen is to be able to meet them on their turf. To be there where they are in life. Simply finding out their interests and joys. Do you know who is a gamer? Do you know who is in band? Do you know who is into sports and which ones? To be there is to take time to see them in action. This will speak volumes of care to teens.
Being there also means to be attentive in the little (and big) conversations. You know the temptation to start a conversation in the hall at church or at the beginning of DG and then get distracted by another person for a potentially more interesting conversation. This tells a teen you really don't care about their interests. On the other hand, if you are attentive and really 'there' in the little conversations, they are more likely to open up into the bigger/deeper conversations that touch their heart.
Pray! Pray for your students. Find out what's really going on in their lives. What is weighing heavy on their hearts and pray for it. Then let your students know you are praying for them. Not only will God use your prayers to make an impact in their lives, but the fact you are taking their concerns before God will have an immeasurable impact in the lives of your students.
JOB #2 = Accountability
This is perhaps the toughest job of a small group leader to get a handle on and master.Having an accountability relationship between a students and a leader is not something that can be manufactured within or imposed upon the relationship. Accountability needs to bubble up organically.
All of these jobs are inter-related. How does care help in the accountability area? Put yourself in the place of a teenager for a moment: Why would you put yourself in a situation, such as accountability, with a person who hasn't shown he/she cares about you?
Be sure you are continually working at caring for the students in your group and looking for organic ways for accountability to bubble up.
JOB #3 = Relational Connection
This job is about building relationships with the students in your small group. Building relational connection is different that caring in that relational connection goes 360 degrees in your group; it's about building relationships not only between you and the students in your group, but among all the students themselves. Relational connection is about building a real group - a cadre - not just a conglomeration of individuals.
All these jobs are equally important but they don't all get equal time. The reason for this is that some just need more time that other to take effect. Relational connection is one that will take a majority of your small group meeting time. Don't be afraid to plan and work at this, especially at the beginning of the ministry school year.
It is vital that a good amount of time is spent genuinely getting to know one another, having fun and seemingly "wasting time" together. This time will create the foundation upon which real relationships can form so the group can truly care for and know each other - and accountability will be taken to heart.
The reconnect time to talk about life, interests, guys, girls, school, and even parent/family drama is vital to the group and can be the launching point for deeper care and accountabiltiy.
JOB #4 = Point them to Jesus Christ!
Without a small group leader doing this the group would be not different from a club. Jesus set the bar and guys like the Apostle Paul followed suit. He said without hesitation, follow me as I follow Christ. Jesus said to the guys asking where he was going, "come and see", then later he said to them, "come follow me and I will make you fishers of men."
As you create an environment of care, and work and making relational connections God will use you to be able to lead (and point) your students to the master disciple-maker. The exciting thing about doing this in a small group setting is to lead a student to see and know the living God in a genuine way. There is also the excitement of being used by God to help them really "get it" when it comes to obeying and serving Christ.
In your small group your job is to help your students apply the truths God has revealed in his word to his people AND to give your students insight as to how they fit into the larger HIStory of God. They are here for a reason and God is glorified when they are following him in their purpose to honor him and find full satisfaction in him in all they do. POINT THEM IN THIS ETERNALLY IMPORTANT DIRECTION!!!
DG SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
- 5th Sunday GREETERS. On 5th Sundays your DG is invited to serve the Lord by GREETING his people at one of our main entrances. As a group you will welcome people with smiles and "hello's" as they prepare to meet with our Living GOD!
Times needed are: 8:30 - 9:15 AM, and 10:15 - 11:00 AM
Locations would be either the South Lobby entrance (Near the Welcome Center) or the North Lobby Entrance (Near the Children's Ministry Check-in Windows)
If you would be willing to do this as a group please contact Pastor Gib @ Gibgiblin@mefchurch.org to make the arrangements!!! Thanks a ton.
5th Sundays needing coverage: (Nov 29, 2009, Jan 31, 2010, and May 30 2010 )
