GROUPS THRIVE WHEN PEOPLE ARE CONNECTED
CONNECTION WITH YOU
If you want to disciple people well, they need more than good information—they need to be invited into your life. It’s not enough for people to hear truth; they need to see it lived out. Here are simple ways to intentionally connect with group members during the week:
Meals:
Much of Jesus’s ministry happened around a table. Meals create natural opportunities for connection. If inviting people over feels intimidating, start smaller: coffee and dessert can be a simple, welcoming first step.
Shared Activities:
Finding activities you both enjoy builds bridges outside of the group setting. Even if you don’t share a hobby, learning to appreciate what someone else enjoys can strengthen your connection.
Group Moments:
While one-on-one time is valuable, don’t overlook the power of group conversations. Even Jesus had his inner circle within the twelve disciples. Prioritize building connections in both group and personal settings.
CONNECTION WITH EACH OTHER
Healthy groups grow stronger when people connect beyond just meeting times. If you notice group members aren’t naturally building friendships yet, here are ways to help foster that:
Plan Outside Activities:
Organize casual outings like bowling, hiking, attending a sports event, or hosting a potluck. Shared experiences outside of formal meetings build relational depth.
Stay Connected Digitally:
With everyone’s permission, set up an online prayer or group chat. Weekly encouragements, prayer requests, and simple check-ins through texts or communication apps help keep relationships active between meetings.
Get to Know You Rotations:
Each week, invite a different group member to share their story—how they came to faith, life experiences, or where they see God at work. This builds trust and reminds everyone that God is shaping each of us uniquely.
Rotate Voices:
Encourage different group members to facilitate discussions or share insights. Giving quiet people space to speak and having regular participants pause helps everyone grow in maturity and relationship.
Discussion Questions
- How do you feel about intentionally connecting with people outside of your regular group time?
- How do you feel about group members building connections and friendships without you leading it?