Posts by Mark Howell
Scouting the Divine: An Interactive Bible Study
If you’re looking for a study that will open group member’s eyes with fresh insights about God, you need to take a look at Scouting the Divine: An Interactive Bible Study based on Margaret Feinberg’s book by the same name. Shepherds and sheep and flocks, honey, harvests and crops, vines and vineyards. Developed by Lifeway’s Threads…
Read MoreThe Ongoing Open vs Closed Group Debate
Where do you stand on the open vs closed group debate? I’ve written about this in the past (Open or Closed Groups, Do Good Groups Really Practice the Open Chair, and my spoof Top 10 Reasons I’m a Fan of Open Groups). I also like the direction Rick Howerton took the conversation in Open Small Groups…
Read MoreReview: One.Life by Scot McKnight
Sometimes I get caught up in strategy and grouplife implementation and find myself feeling dry and thirsty. When that happens, I need a certain kind of book. One that takes me straight into the path of Jesus. If you’re like me, you need that kind of book from time to time, too. One.Life: Jesus Calls,…
Read MoreTop 10 Posts of March 2011
Here are my top 10 posts for March, 2011. Interesting, one of these is from 2008! BASIC: Who Is God (by Francis Chan) How to Launch Groups Using a Small Group Connection 10 Essential Small Group Leader Skills Clue #1 in Designing Your Small Group System 5 Questions Every Small Group Pastor Should Be Asking…
Read MoreBuilding Biblical Community | featuring Donahue and Gladen
Building Biblical Community, a new DVD-driven grouplife resource, has been one of Lifeway’s most anticipated releases…at least within the small group ministry community. Featuring Bill Donahue (after 18 years invested building biblical community at Willow Creek) and Steve Gladen (13 years building the small group community at Saddleback), this is a study everyone ought to…
Read MoreThe Simplest Way to Help Your Members Pray Out Loud
We have all been there. You come to the end of the meeting. You ask, “How can we pray for you this week?” Most of your group members share a prayer request. You say, “Let’s pray.” And no one else prays. At least, no one else prays out loud. What can you do? How can…
Read More5 Key Insights When Designing Your Small Group System
Small group systems work best when they’re designed with the environment in mind. Off-the-rack is fine if you’re choosing a shirt or a pair of pants. But if you really want a small group system that does what you want it to do…you’ll need to customize it to fit your church’s culture (or ideally, the…
Read MoreClue #5 When Designing Your Small Group System
When you pull out of the driveway to head out on a long trip…are you the type to have it all planned out? Rest stops. Miles-per-day. Where you’re going to eat. Where you’ll stop along the way. Or do you make it up as you go along? If you’re the plan-the-whole-thing-out type…you’re going to get…
Read MoreThe Missional Mom
Had a chance to work my way through a great new resource over the weekend. You might think it’s a little bit of a one-off here, but I think The Missional Mom: Living with Purpose at Home & in the World by Helen Lee is something you’re going to want to know about. There’s really…
Read MoreThis Week’s GroupLife Highlights
In case you missed them, here are this week’s must-read articles from the grouplife community (with a couple of my favorites from just outside): Healthy Community is Not Comfortable (Reid Smith’s guest post on BenReed.net) Your Search for the Perfect Small Group Curriculum is Over (Alan Danielson) Preparing for Your Group (Allen White) How to…
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