The Community Groups at Lincroft Bible Church meet twice per month. As groups pastor, I believe that every model and method has its pros and cons. For our busy Northeastern culture, having groups twice a month has some distinct advantages. One of those is that it gives great flexibility and freedom to the group leaders. They can minister to their groups in the “off” weeks in creative ways, without facing the pressure of having to lead a group meeting every single week. Here are 15 ideas of things to do during an “off” to build your Community Group:
1. One-on-One Discipleship
Meet with someone in your group one-on-one. Dig into a book of the Bible together. Read a Christian book.
2. Accountability Groups
Meet in a smaller group of men and/or women to confess sin, pray together, and counsel one another.
3. Watch a TV show together
Follow a show as a group and get everyone together. Make popcorn. Heather and I followed The Amazing Race with friends every Sunday while we lived in Louisville. Plus, a show like that is a kid friendly option.
4. Watch sports together
It is football season after all!
5. Have a standing reservation at a restaurant for dinner
You have to eat dinner each week. Why not eat together? If no one shows up…date night!
6. Meet for happy hour together
This wouldn’t work in the South.
7. Girls Night!
Bring all the kiddos (and dads) to one house. Girls go out.
8. Go to lunch together after church
Everyone is usually hungry after church. Food is a great community builder!
9. Go to the park together on a Saturday
Look at all the kids roaming free!
10. Rotate hosting Saturday brunch
Breakfast food is great for any meal. And I mean any meal.
11. “Adopt” a ministry together
Have everyone serve in the same ministry. Here are some ideas: LBC Kids, Nursery, childcare for MOPS, etc.
12. Rotate prayer walking through your group’s various neighborhood
Exercise!–Both physical and spiritual
13. Go to the gym together
Working out is always easier…Wait a minute…Working out is never easy…But it is more motivating when you have someone to go with
14. Play in a sports league together
Softball, soccer, basketball, you name it. Just play it.
15. Sit together in church
You will be amazed how much you can grow in your relationships by using small chunks of time.
So those are my ideas. What are yours?