In this episode, Jay and Chris evaluate their own groups using a list of ten categories (see the list below). We discuss such things as disciple-making focus, the leader's personal example, welcoming guests and more. Listen in and find a couple of areas of improvement for your group in the upcoming year.

Evaluate Your Group and Your Leadership

Here are ten best practices for healthy groups. Consider the last year and give yourself one point for each item. What do you need to work on for the upcoming year?

1. Disciple-making Focus: I'm often thinking about how to help the people in my group take next steps toward maturity in Christ.
   
   
2. My Example: I have a growing relationship with Christ, and I allow what I'm learning from Scripture to spill over into my teaching.
   
   
3. Discussion: Our group meetings include meaningful discussion, and I intentionally work on crafting good questions.
   
   
4. Inviting and Welcoming: We talk about inviting people to our group, have a plan for when guests visit, and discuss how to help them feel welcome.
   
   
5. Consistency: We meet every week, even when we know there are only a few of us. We leverage the smaller meetings for more conversations and prayer.
   
   
6. Through-the-Week Engagement: Our group doesn't just exist on Sundays. We are interacting with one another throughout the week.
   
   
7. Effective Use of Time: We start on time, end on time, include at least 30 minutes of Bible study, and make time for prayer and relationship-building.
   
   
8. Shared Leadership: As a leader, I don't do everything. We leverage people's gifts to help with leading, teaching, prayer, fellowship, missions, hosting, hospitality, and communication.
   
   
9. Serving Together: We find ways to serve together as a group and also celebrate when group members serve individually.
   
   
10. Prayer: We engage in prayer together as a group, allowing people to hear other group members pray for their requests.

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Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills.

Lifetime Show Notes

Brook Hills Pages:

• The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
• Small Group Leader Resources Page
• Small Group Discipleship Resources
• Small Groups @ Brook Hills