S. 1 Ep. 3: Three Ways To Ruin A Small Group

In this episode of the Real Life Groups Leadership Podcast, host Chris Short is joined by Real Life Ministries Post Falls Groups Team Leader Fred Bosse', and Shannon Kay - Real Life Ministries Post Falls Women's Team Leader. They are talking today about some of the things that can (unintentionally) ruin a small group. The three specific things they discuss are:

1. Focus only on Content
2. Focus only on Relationship
3. Fear and Avoid Conflict

Our focus is creating small groups where people grow in spiritual maturity in relationship. That means both relationship and Biblical content need to be present. Relationship is the bridge of trust that allows us to move towards seeing lives change. 

The key word is intentionality. Our small group "event" needs to be balanced with both relational time and deep discussion.

One of the things that causes relationships to struggle and trust to be lost is unresolved conflict. This can ruin the whole dynamic of a group. We can't avoid conflict because where there are people it will happen, but we can make sure to the best of our ability that we work through it and resolve it.

Fred and Shannon share some great tips and examples of how to avoid these things that can ruin a group, and to work towards building a relational group that is growing in spiritual maturity. 

Some of the resources mentioned in this episode:

Guidelines for Small Group Discussion

The Real Life Discipleship Training Manual

The Way of the Shepherd

The Essential Guide for Small Group Leaders