SGL: Physical Arrangements for a Home Group

Posted on May 4, 2014 by shepherdbryan

Home group is an essential part of the transitions to helping grow people toward spiritual parenting. They can meet just about anywhere, like a home, or church, or park, however there are many situations in which distractions can hinder openness and spiritual growth. There are more possibilities for groups to meet than most people might think, but there are some guidelines that will prevent growth. Consider these five principles: Continue reading →

SGL: What attitude does the Leader express toward his home group?

Posted on February 16, 2014 by shepherdbryan

Everything is built on leadership. Jesus is the ultimate leader, who knew what He was doing and followed through with it regardless of the cost or depth of the valley. A home group leader doesn’t have to be as good of leader as Jesus, but there are several characteristics that will help every leader of home groups. Let me highlight five. Continue reading →

SGL: If They Are Not Talking, You Don’t Know What They are Thinking!

Posted on February 15, 2014 by shepherdbryan

I love watching my grandchildren grow through physical, mental, relational and emotional stages of growth. They are each growing through them differently, but there are generalities that are fun to watch. I also love to hear them talk. I’m focused when I get to see them and listen closely, because I know great things are going on inside of their brains to make neuron connections and grow! The same things are true for watching people grow spiritually. Continue reading →

SGL: Facilitating Questions

Posted on January 10, 2014 by shepherdbryan

There are many ways to communicate information. These include: 1) lecture, 2)monologue with an opportunity for questions, 3) dialogue and 4) dialogue with practical implementation in a variety of forms. Home groups use a method of facilitating questions that is one of the best ways to help people learn. How is this a good method for this setting? Because you do not know what groups members are understand about a subject matter, unless they are talking about it or acting on it. Continue reading →

SGL: Understanding the Stages of Spiritual Growth

Posted on January 4, 2014 by shepherdbryan

Home groups are designed to help people grow spiritually. The discipleship process takes a person from the spiritual infant stage to becoming a spiritual parent. As a spiritual parent the process begins again. The following is a short synopsis of the stages of growth. Every home group leader needs to be thoroughly clear on these stages. Continue reading →

SGL: Handling Questions and Comments about Deep Theology

Posted on January 3, 2014 by shepherdbryan

The study of God is infinite. Solomon, the “wisest” man in the world, said, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.” (Ecc. 12:12 NKJ) Yet, studying God’s Word about God and how to please Him is fun and exciting! So questions and comments about deep or difficult theology (the study of God) are lots of fun and many people have opinions that may vary. The question is not, “What does man say?” but, “What does God say?” Continue reading →

SGL: How do you Handle a Desire for Subject Change

Posted on December 29, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Having breaks in the home group schedule are important. Those are called “on” and “off ramps.” People like a little change at times and want to study something else. There is usually one person, who would like to study prophecy, or the Gospels, or the blood sacrifices. We Christians tend to accommodate even when it is only one person, even though the 99 others would rather continue with the plan. Consider these thoughts. Continue reading →

SGL: How do you handle Breaks in the Schedule

Posted on December 28, 2013 by shepherdbryan

There are different philosophies regarding home groups. A few people would like to keep trudging through the battles of life and never take a week off. Most people see the importance of taking a break by developing “on” and “off ramps.” The “on ramp” is when a home group period begins and the “off ramp” ends a segment and there is a short break. Continue reading →

SGL: Leadership Follow-up for Missing Persons

Posted on December 27, 2013 by shepherdbryan

There are three different alert codes that are used by some states. The Blue Alert is for a missing violent criminal, the Silver Alert is for a missing senior citizen and the Amber Alert is for a missing child. The Amber Alert was initiated in 1996, when Amber Hagerman (9 years-old) of Arlington, Texas was kidnapped and murdered. Follow-up is important for “missing persons” of your home group, because those who are pursuing a closer walk with Jesus Christ will come under greater spiritual attack by the enemy and they need to know that other believers are looking out for them. Continue reading →

SGL: How to Deal with Questions

Posted on December 21, 2013 by shepherdbryan

Home groups are designed for small groups of people who can be authentic and transparent. That means they will have questions for new topics, comparisons with what they had learned in the past and for clarification of information. Home groups are designed with the intentional use of questions so that participants can practice thinking through the subject matter and building confidence Continue reading →

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