tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11908388698452540142023-11-16T02:57:59.433-08:00Resources for Small Groups Palo Alto Vineyard ChurchUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-87251920282886905202015-12-18T15:14:00.000-08:002015-12-18T15:15:55.112-08:00Tips for Preparing a Group Bible Study<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAeFehyphenhyphenlXA9Cl1sdYYN2t6zzj1p4B18Tp6QwdQWRHsmbLnCg4UhEp5bUcSp2wJe6E7cHEPNn2fsV9_u-IATm0eSxA8UpbamMy24wF-tFRhj9a8ZHrgXiES87ReDNn8e_PlRTR2Dwk5FwZ/s1600/acts.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAeFehyphenhyphenlXA9Cl1sdYYN2t6zzj1p4B18Tp6QwdQWRHsmbLnCg4UhEp5bUcSp2wJe6E7cHEPNn2fsV9_u-IATm0eSxA8UpbamMy24wF-tFRhj9a8ZHrgXiES87ReDNn8e_PlRTR2Dwk5FwZ/s320/acts.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This is the second installment in a series about preparing a
group Bible study.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000;">Step #1: Slowing down to notice the content<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /></span></b></div>
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Have you noticed that when you’re familiar with a Bible
story you tend to kind of skim over it? If you’ve been going to church since
you were young, this can be a problem! You may find yourself zoning out through
many a sermon or personal study time. What to do?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Write it down:</b>
Take a chunk of the Bible, like one story, one chapter, or the portion assigned
to you as leader that week. Take quick notes in writing of 10-20 items you
observe, in order. Do not attempt to spiritualize anything or go deep at this
point, but simply write down each location, character, and plot development as
it occurs. Here’s an example from Matthew 4:1-11.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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v. 1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus
is led into wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil<o:p></o:p></div>
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v.2<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Fasted
40 days; hungry<o:p></o:p></div>
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v.3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tempter
asks him to prove he’s son of God by turning stones into bread<o:p></o:p></div>
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v.4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus:
it is written man shall not live on bread but word of God<o:p></o:p></div>
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v. 5-6<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Devil
takes Jesus to temple, tempts him to jump off; it is written angels will
protect you<o:p></o:p></div>
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v.7<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jesus:
it is written do not put God to the test<o:p></o:p></div>
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v.8-9<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Devil
takes Jesus to high mountain and offers him everything if J. will worship him<o:p></o:p></div>
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v. 10<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>J.
sends Satan away, it is written worship God only<o:p></o:p></div>
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v. 11<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Devil
leaves, angels come and take care of Jesus<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Notice the details:</b>
Now look for repeated phrases or interesting details that jump out at you. For
instance, doesn’t it seem like an understatement to say that Jesus was hungry?
Isn’t it interesting that for the first nine verses, Jesus is the one being
led, but in verse 10 he just sends Satan away? You probably also noticed how
many times the phrase “it is written” occurs. Both Jesus AND Satan are quoting
scripture here!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Practice makes
perfect:</b> Doing this exercise every time you prepare to teach or lead a
Bible discussion will help the tendency to skim a familiar or difficult
passage. Leading your group through the same exercise gives them the same
benefits, and also demonstrates to newer believers a high view of scripture and
a method that will enable them to begin studying on their own. Some groups immediately
fall into talking about how the passage makes them feel rather than what it
communicates about God, so utilize this tool to ground the group Biblically and
create a solid foundation for growth. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-91f90ec6-b750-07a4-829f-82bb3872497c"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-14734369493013227192015-12-11T15:35:00.001-08:002015-12-18T15:13:58.059-08:00Teaching the Bible in Small Groups <div class="MsoNormal">
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Most of us desire to include Bible study in
our small groups, but as the week wears on and our preparation is thin, it can
begin to seem more like a burden than a blessing. The next few posts will
contain some practical tools for deepening your group’s connection with God and
each other through studying the Bible together.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "calibri light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">First, some encouragement about the benefits:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Knowing God:</span></b><span style="font-family: "calibri light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">The primary purpose of
engaging with Scripture is to know God better in order to have a deeper and
more loving relationship with him. God has given us the Bible as a way to
understand and know his character, and true worship grows in us as we more
fully know the truth about Him. Even if this seems obvious to you, remember
that some of your group members may be exploring the Bible for the first time
and need your encouragement and guidance to understand why they should keep
going.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri light"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Getting the wrong idea:</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> Because sometimes people forget
(or don’t know) that this relationship is the purpose of Bible study, they can
be tempted to approach it primarily for other reasons. People often see it as
an item to check off their list in order to make God happy, or as something to
dread because they think of the Bible as a list of failed to-dos. In an attempt
to avoid negative feelings, many want to focus only on isolated verses that
bring happy thoughts, or see the Bible as a self-help book with themselves as
the center. It’s even possible to enjoy the intellectual pursuit of Bible
knowledge without giving a thought to really knowing God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">It’s complicated:</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> When we delve into study for
the purpose of truly knowing God, we may experience a wide range of
feelings—awe, conviction, grief, wonder, joy, humility—just like we do with any
real person, because God is a real person we are getting to know. We will miss
out on the richness of this relationship if our primary goal is something other
than knowing God himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Give it time:</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> For this reason, every
single foray into the Bible does not have to result in complete understanding
or a neatly presented package. Sometimes, we observe the lament of the prophet
and spend a few weeks lamenting our own culture’s shortfalls. We might wrestle
over exactly how to apply a New Testament injunction to our present situation.
We may struggle to come to terms with what we learn about past and future
judgement. When this happens, we may simply arrive at a prayer: Lord, help us
to see your face in this, help us understand your heart, illuminate your
character, bring us wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Don’t give up:</span></b><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"> Rest assured that when we seek
the kingdom of God first, everything we need is given to us (Matt. 6:33), and
that knowing God’s word enables us to resist temptation (Matt. 4:1-11), walk a
godly path (Psalm 119:105), teach our children what is right (Deut. 6:4-9),
remain strong in our faith (I John 2:14b), grow in holiness (2 Tim. 3:14-16),
and experience joy (Jer. 15:16).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-40376375279457465932015-08-13T13:29:00.001-07:002015-08-13T13:31:11.155-07:00Ice Breaker Questions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lb_pFEtGSLtMCHn-8Q_pmA8VmMj09hwhgYMAS4Sl3CX8snPoSn1GzsEGGcYDdHamb1Hn4o7rTfuwCCER2bj9wLMdGBhyphenhyphenoWHbEvEvjYSFGSFYY7foLP-f-BADrtEvPzFKth4bNpykqkMq/s1600/talk.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lb_pFEtGSLtMCHn-8Q_pmA8VmMj09hwhgYMAS4Sl3CX8snPoSn1GzsEGGcYDdHamb1Hn4o7rTfuwCCER2bj9wLMdGBhyphenhyphenoWHbEvEvjYSFGSFYY7foLP-f-BADrtEvPzFKth4bNpykqkMq/s320/talk.png" width="320" /></a></div>
You know that moment when you are leading a small group and you desperately need an ice breaker question but, for the life of you, you can't think of one? Well, this post is here to help you to get through that moment! Here is a list of creative questions that you can use to help people to share a little, tiny bit about themselves while introducing themselves to a group.<br />
<br />
<b>A. Quick and light questions:</b><br />
<br />
1. If you could add one month to the calendar year, inserting it between two existing months, where would you put the extra 30 days? (You can assume that the weather for this new month will be a mix of the weather typical of the month preceding it and following it).<br />
<br />
2. Suppose for a moment that you are truly color-blind: all you can see is black and white. Then one day you wake up to find you can now see one color. Which color would you want it to be and why?<br />
<br />
3. If you could be anywhere in the world on New Year's Eve this year, where would you most want to be?<br />
<br />
4. What is the longest line that you have ever stood in?<br />
<br />
5. If you had to describe your personality in terms of a farm animal, which animal would you choose?<br />
<br />
6. If you were a professional artist, what would be the theme of your drawings/ paintings/ art work?<br />
<br />
7. If you had the ability to compete in any Olympic event, which one would you choose to enter?<br />
<br />
8. If you were to write a book what would you choose as the topic?<br />
<br />
9. What is something you really enjoy doing that is a chore or a bore for many people?<br />
<br />
10. If you could be the spokesperson for any product on the market, what product would you choose to enthusiastically represent?<br />
<br />
11. If all drinking fountains could dispense another liquid in addition to water, what would you want it to be? <br />
<br />
12. Which punctuation mark would best describe your personality?<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>B. Slightly deeper, more personal questions:</b><br />
<br />
1. What would your dream house look like? Be specific about one or two areas.<br />
<br />
2. What is the one event in the future whose outcome you would really like to know now?<br />
<br />
3. What is one item you own that has virtually no monetary value but has such sentimental value that you would not sell it for $1000?<br />
<br />
4. What is the most exciting event you have ever witnessed? <br />
<br />
5. Of all of the movie characters you have seen, which one do you believe is the most like you?<br />
<br />
6. If you could create a memorial to yourself in a city park, what would the memorial be?<br />
<br />
7. Whenever you are having a bad day, what is the best thing you can do to help cheer yourself up?<br />
<br />
8. What event or activity in the next few months are you looking forward to more than anything else?<br />
<br />
9. In your own not-so-humble opinion, what is your most likeable quality? <br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>C. Much more intimate questions:</b><br />
<br />
1. If you were writing an autobiography, what would be the book's title (besides your name)?<br />
<br />
2. When you look back on the life you have lived to this point, what in particular amazes you the most? <br />
<br />
3. If you could know without a shadow of a doubt the answer to one questions that you has always troubled you, what question would you want to have answered once and for all?<br />
<br />
4. Which age, when you turned it, was the most difficult for you to accept?<br />
<br />
5. If you were to die in the next year, what would you want your legacy to be? <br />
<br />
6. If you could go back and change one decision that you made in your life, what would it be? <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-26892245822995820922015-05-05T13:13:00.002-07:002015-05-19T13:04:13.133-07:00Some Good Questions to Get To Know One Another in a Small Group<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently, one of our small groups decided to take a break from doing Bible Study at their group meetings and take a few weeks to get to know one another better. They decided to focus on the following topics:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Family Background</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Race and Ethnicity</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Community and Relationships</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">-Work and Education</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;"><b>Family Background:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Questions to
help start your conversations:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Where did you grow up?</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;">What did your parents do for a living?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Do you have siblings? How many? How
are you alike/different, both in childhood and recently?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Describe your relationship with each
member of your family?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">When you think of your home life
growing up, how would you describe it?</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;">What is a fun activity that you used
to do together as a family?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Can you share a fond memory of time
spent with family, either during childhood or recently?</span></li>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">These
questions go a little deeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel free
to share about as many or as few as you would like:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">What do you perceive
as your family's biggest weakness or root sin? </span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Are there difficult
memories you have of your family that God is prompting you to share about?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;">In what ways have you seen your
family speak truth into your life and be an instigator to you encouraging others
for the Kingdom?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;">How do you think you
see a picture of the Kingdom in your family? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In what ways might your familial
relationships spark a chord of bitterness?</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;">How can we be grateful for the
families of origin God has given us?</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>Race and Ethnicity:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i>Questions to help start your
conversations:</i><i style="font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">1. When did you first
become aware of race/ethnicity</span></div>
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stark differences and/or similarities you/they observed/experienced?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">3. What race/ethnicity do you identify
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How so? (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">i.e., I live in a largely Indian
community, I feel connection there. OR I speak fluent Spanish and
I feel at home when I am surrounded by others who speak Spanish<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">4. What are some really exciting and fun
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">5. How did
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you feel it didn’t - how does that impact the conversation now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><i>These questions go a little
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">1. Are there common perceptions
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perhaps you were aware of it all growing up…)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">3. What are some of shortfalls of your cultural
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">4. Describe a time when your race or
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disadvantage?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">5. How do you see the kingdom in your
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">6. Is there a specific hurt in your
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-3a7c8f68-59fb-c63b-f002-78435040d1dc"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>Community and Relationships</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i>
</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Questions to help start your conversations:</i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Who might you call to help at 4 in the morning or to give you a ride to the airport?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Do you have a best friend? What do you appreciate in him or her?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. How do you maintain friendships?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. How were relationships approached in your family/culture growing up? Did you talk about them much? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">How are they approached in life now?</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Do you have a spouse/significant other? How did you meet him or her?</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. Are there people in life/your church community whom you would like to get up know better? Why?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">7. What is one thing you really love about your current stage of life? One thing you find really difficult?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Questions to help you to dig deeper </i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Why might it be important for us to talk about where each other is at relationally?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. How does God intend for us to learn alongside one another, in terms of our relationships? Have you seen God at work in this lately?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. How can we as a community foster growth in where you at now, at this moment, in your relationship journeys?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">(i.e. Pray with you for God to reveal your next step, for God to provide accountability, for God to provide courage to take risks, plan group activities/outings, etc.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt;"><b><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->Work and Education</b></span><br />
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<span class="s1"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Questions to help start your conversations:</i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1. Where did you go to school growing up? College/university/graduate school?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">2. Did any stage of your education involve a cross-country and/or international move? What was that like?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">3. What did you study at University/graduate school? Did anything particular lead you to this field of study?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">4. Are you working in your field of study today?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">5. How have you seen God's sovereign hand over your work/educational experiences?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">6. Do you have hopes of further education? If yes, in what?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">7. What did you want to be when you were a child? What about in high school or college?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">8. Do you remember someone you looked up to as a child/teenager as a role model for faith, work, or their level of education? How did they influence you?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">9. What was the best work situation you've ever had? What about it was positive?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">10. How did you arrive at your current line of work? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">11. Do you enjoy your work? Why or why not?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17.9400005340576px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Questions to help you to dig deeper </i></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">1. Do you feel like you have a clear vision for your career- or a vision for ministry- in the long term? If not, what would you ideally be doing with your work 10-20 years from now? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">2. How does your career intersect with your faith? Are there ways you get to live out your faith at work, or ways you wish you could live it our more?</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">3. Is there a certain experience you've had- perhaps at a church, a conference, a missions trip or a service project- of being called by God towards a career/ministry? What was that experience like? </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Have you struggled ever with feeling like work is too stressful and is taking up too much time in your life? How might God be engaging with you right now to find balance in this area?</span></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-4562789224941597752015-03-27T14:40:00.000-07:002015-03-27T14:41:56.428-07:00Seeking Feedback from Your Small Group<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Seeking Feedback from Your Small Group</b></div>
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Any group can easily walk in it's own weaknesses for a long time without actively seeking input and perspective. Often, small group members have great input but won't think of sharing it without being asked. Wise leaders will take time now and then to solicit feedback from small group attenders about the group and how it can become a better, more effective and enjoyable group. Often, creating a page that members can take a few minutes within the group time will both facilitate reflection and also make sure that it gets done. Here is a list of possible, sample questions. Please feel free to create your own feedback form using any combination of the questions below.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Small Group Feedback Sample Questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">How is this small group for
you? </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(For example: Is it encouraging
you to take risks? Becoming a group of trusted people?
Providing accountability?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Are there any ways we
can help you grow more as a follower of Jesus? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Is there any new way you
would like to participate in our small group (ie, leading scripture study?) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Is there anything you would
like to do more of in our small group? Less of?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Are there things that our group does that have been uncomfortable for you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Is there anything that we do as a group that you would like to be interpreted better so we are clearer about why we do things? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Does the time of the group work for you? Why or why not? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you have any feedback about how we use our time as a group? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Any suggestions for
practical next steps so we can be a learning community together?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Anything else you want to add
about our small group? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-68844338185651616452015-02-27T16:15:00.000-08:002015-03-27T14:41:34.507-07:00Vegetarian/ Flexitarian Small Group Meal Ideas<div class="UFICommentContent" data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18.431999206543px;">
<span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1">Friends, I am finding that it's important to have a few small group meal ideas that work for both vegetarians and meat eaters. Here are a few tried and true recipes that make your meal together hospitable to both. Also, some small groups are trying intentionally eat vegetarian once a month or so to be more mindful of the call to simplicity. <br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="UFICommentContent" data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.431999206543px;">
<span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="UFICommentContent" data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.431999206543px;">
<span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$4:0"><b><span style="color: #76a5af;">Cilantro Corn Chowder </span></b><span style="color: #141823;">~ SERVES 8 (Feel free to double or triple)</span></span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$5:0" /><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$7:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0" style="color: #141823;">1 Tablespoon Olive Oil</span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$9:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$10:0" style="color: #141823;">1 1/2 cups red onion, chopped</span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$11:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$12:0" style="color: #141823;">1 cup diced carrot</span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$13:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$14:0" style="color: #141823;">1 1/2 cups diced yellow bell pepper</span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$15:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$16:0" style="color: #141823;">1 1/2 cups diced red bell pepper</span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$17:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$18:0" style="color: #141823;">4 Cups potatoes, peeled and cubed (or</span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$19:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$20:0" style="color: #141823;">leave peels on, but scrub well!)</span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$21:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$22:0" style="color: #141823;">2 Tablespoons vegetable soup concentrate </span></span></div>
<div class="UFICommentContent" data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0" style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18.431999206543px;">
<span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$22:0">3 Cups frozen or fresh corn kernels</span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$23:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$24:0">3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro</span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$25:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$26:0">2 Tablespoons chopped chives</span><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$27:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$28:0">salt & pepper to taste</span></span></div>
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<span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1"><br data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$29:0" /><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$30:0">Put olive oil in a large soup pot. Add onion, carrot and bell peppers and sauté until the veggies soften, 4-6 minutes. Add potatoes and mix well into the veggie mixture. Saute’ an additional 7 to 8 minutes. Add 7 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Remove 1/2 cup of broth and dissolve soup concentrate into it. Add this to soup and mix well. Cook soup and additional 3 minutes, stirring continuously. Remove 1/3 of the soup with lots of veggies in it and set aside. Blend remaining 2/3 of the soup in a blender or food processor until smooth. Stir in reserved soup, corn, cilantro, and chives. (If you want to thicken the soup up a bit more, blend a few more of the whole vegetables from soup with 1 cup of corn). Bring soup to a low boil, stirring frequently, and simmer for 10 minutes on low heat, continuing to stir so that soup doesn't stick to bottom. Season and salt to taste. You may add some crumbled bacon for small group members who must have meat.</span></span><span data-reactid=".3t.1:3:1:$comment10152696267205674_10152696465690674:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.6"></span></div>
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<h2 class="fn" style="font-family: MergeRegular, Arial, sans-serif, Helvetica; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: small;">Slow Cooker Lentil Chili</span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="item" style="background-color: white; color: #5e594d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #5e594d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px;"></span></span><div class="time" style="background-color: white; color: #9e9b94; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px; margin: 10px 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;">
<div style="display: inline-block; float: left; margin-right: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Yield:</strong> <span class="yield">Serves 8-10</span></span></div>
<div style="display: inline-block; float: left; margin-right: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Prep Time:</strong> <span class="preptime">10 minutes</span></span></div>
<div style="display: inline-block; float: left; margin-right: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Cook Time:</strong> <span class="cooktime">4-6 hours</span></span></div>
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<div class="summary" style="background-color: white; clear: left; color: #5e594d; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 22px; margin: 1px 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This Slow Cooker Lentil Chili is vegan and gluten-free, but meat lovers will enjoy it too! Top with your favorite chili toppings!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">ingredients:</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1 medium onion, diced<br />3 cloves garlic, minced<br />1 jalapeño, diced, seeds removed<br />1 red pepper, chopped<br />1 yellow pepper, chopped<br />1 large carrot, peeled and diced<br />2 1/2 cups vegetable broth<br />2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce<br />2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes<br />1 (16 oz) bag brown lentils, rinsed<br />2 (15 oz) cans small red beans, rinsed and drained<br />2-3 tablespoons chili powder (we used 3 tablespoons)<br />1 tablespoon cumin<br />Salt and black pepper, to taste</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">directions:</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1. Place all ingredients in a slow cooker. Stir well to combine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2. Cover and cook on High for 4 hours or low for 6 hours. Serve warm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Note-we use a 6 quart slow cooker. This chili freezes well. Top with your favorite chili toppings, if desired.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;"><br /></span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: magenta;">Vegan Pesto </span></span></span></h2>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Recipe posted February 2008 by Karina Allrich.</span></span></i><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;" /><i style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;"> </span><br style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;" /><div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This vegan pesto is big on taste, zero on dairy. The nuts you choose influence the taste. Feel free to make shredded parmesan available for cheese lovers. You could also add a bowl of shredded rotisserie chicken as well. </span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ingredients:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />2 cups, washed, loosely packed stemmed fresh herbs- basil, cilantro, parsley, mint (I also add some spinach)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 cup shelled pecans or walnuts or pine nuts</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1-2 cloves fresh garlic</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/4 to 1/2 cup good tasting extra virgin olive oil, as needed</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">a few squirts of fresh lemon (optional)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sea salt, to taste</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instructions:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Combine the fresh herbs, nuts, and garlic in a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DLC-10S-Classic-7-Cup-Processor/dp/B00004S9EM?ie=UTF8&tag=recipfromaglu-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" style="color: #94647b; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">food processor</a><img alt="" border="0" class="pkmosjkzkvutuhdapxqc" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=recipfromaglu-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00004S9EM" height="1" style="border: medium none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and process the mixture until it turns into a coarse meal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Slowly add extra virgin olive oil in a steady drizzle as you pulse the processor on and off. Process until it becomes a smooth, light paste. Add enough olive oil to keep it moist and spreadable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Season with sea salt, to taste.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cover and store chilled for at least an hour to saturate the flavors. I like to pour a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil over the top to help keep it bright green.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Makes roughly a rounded cup.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<div style="color: #666666;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recipe Source: glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;"><br /><br />Read more: <a href="http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/02/winter-pesto.html#ixzz3SzgBqMnt" style="color: #003399; text-decoration: none;">http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/02/winter-pesto.html#ixzz3SzgBqMnt</a></span></h2>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-76130653719290898132014-12-30T18:24:00.000-08:002015-01-08T13:53:54.625-08:00How To Make Small Group Announcements Without Boring People to Death<div>
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Have you ever been an attendee at a small group or any regular group gathering and found yourself automatically spacing out when announcements are being made? Am I the only one? I don't know what it is about announcements that can quickly infect even the most committed person with the boredom bug. Perhaps it's because announcements are usually made at the very beginning of a gathering when people are still settling in. Maybe it has to do with leaders not prepping very well for announcements. It could also have to do with the fact that most of us have too many little bits of random information floating through our heads. Whatever the reason, announcements can be dry and dull or actually engaging and community building. Here are some thoughts on how to do announcements well. <br />
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1) The leader must prep to give announcements. Do not do announcements off the top of your head. This communicates to your group that what you have to say is random and unimportant. Even if you just write them out on a sticky note or a pad of paper, it will be helpful for you to think through what you want to say to your group and why. This will also remind you to gather all of the relevant details that go along with any announcement such as dates and times. This will also help you to not forget certain important announcements. </div>
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2) Announcements should be relevant to your group. People do not need more information about more events. It will help your small group to know why your announcement is being made in this group context. For example, "This Sunday morning, our church is having a special Service and Simplicity day. This will be a time where we will have various activities having to do with gratefulness and simplifying our lives. I wanted to let you know that our group will be helping out with receiving stuff at the Goodwill truck from 10-11am. Please let me know if you can join us."</div>
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3) A personal or emotional connection can be helpful. Knowing why a leader is excited about something helps me to be more intrigued about something that is being announced. Therefore, saying something like, "I am really excited about the Christmas Eve service because I really like having a spiritual focus of worship before spending time with my family on Christmas day. It will be at Foothill Covenant Church at 5pm" is better than "The Christmas Eve service is happening at Foothill Covenant Church at 5pm. You should come." </div>
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4) Do not rely on announcements to invite people to things, especially something that is happening outside of the normal schedule, such as a conference or a service opportunity. Knowing about something and feeling invited to participate in something are two very different things. If there is something special coming up, you might want to mention that you (or someone) will be following up with them personally or give people a practical way to respond (like a sign up sheet). </div>
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Do you have any other thoughts or ideas about how to make small group announcements engaging, memorable and helpful for people? </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-32623317474135643202014-10-29T21:42:00.000-07:002014-10-29T21:44:06.938-07:00Three More Small Group Friendly Recipes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Due to popular demand, I am posting a few more recipes that are great for small groups and quick to prep. All of these recipes can be done in a crock pot. I have personally made each of these for small groups and have found them easy and popular. What are your favorite recipes for small group gatherings? </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Original Taco Soup</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--2 cans of kidney beans</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">--1 cans of pinto beans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--1 can black beans</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--1 can of corn or some frozen corn</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">--1 large can of diced tomatoes <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">--1 can tomato sauce<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--1 and 1/2 cup water</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--1 can tomatoes and chilies (or separate can of chilies)</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--1 packet taco seasoning </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--1 packet ranch dressing mix </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--1 lb browned ground turkey or hamburger</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">--shredded cheese, tortilla chips and sour cream for embellishment <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="color: #333333;">The Directions:</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--brown meat </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--drain fat and add to crock pot stoneware insert </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--sprinkle seasoning packets on top of meat</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">--drain and rinse the beans and add</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">--add the ENTIRE contents of the corn and tomato cans<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">--stir.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5. I think the longer you cook
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u><b>Cranberry Chicken</b></u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(I doubled this recipe and cooked it for 5 hours to serve 15)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Soy Sauce and Beer Chicken Drumsticks<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-19953248000886976842014-10-16T21:44:00.002-07:002014-10-16T22:29:37.547-07:00How to Have an Excellent First Five Minutes of a Small Group Meeting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You may have read various studies or reports which find that people often make their first impressions of other people within the first 7 seconds to two minutes. A whole industry has risen up around that concept coaching people how to do "power poses" and "strategic small talk". All that is well and good if you want to "win friends and influence people" in the business world. <br />
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However, there may also be some wisdom in making the best of "the first few minutes" in the realm of small group ministry. Most small groups are gatherings of people who do not know each other well yet. Helping people to feel welcome, comfortable and relaxed is a huge goal of small group ministry. Therefore, it's good to ask "What can we learn from those who have done some thinking about first impressions and strategic use of the first few minutes of a gathering?" I've done some reading and reflection on just that topic!<br />
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<b>The First Five Minutes of Arriving at a Gathering</b><br />
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1. <u>People need to feel welcome from the moment that they walk in the door.</u> Being greeted by a host (whether that person lives at the place where you are gathering or is just playing a host role) can be the first step in helping a person to feel at ease in coming to a group meeting. If I am hosting a small group, I make sure that I am completely finished with any house prep and I avoid getting into any other conversations so that I am free to welcome people at the door. The host should not be getting people drinks at this point. You (or some other designated greeter) should be free to focus on welcoming people to the gathering. <br />
Being welcomed by an actual person who greets you with your name and says something along the lines of "So glad you could make it!" can make a world of difference to a person who might be feeling some nervousness about coming to an event. If you are a hugger, then hug. If you are a hand shaker, then shake the person's hand. Whatever your style, I find that a smile and moment of eye contact are absolutely essential. <br />
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2. <u> Give new people something to do when they arrive.</u> It's often better to set out drinks or snacks for people to get themselves rather than to have the hosts disappear to the kitchen to get drinks for them, leaving them with nothing to do. If you are having name tags, that can be a nice thing for people to give themselves to in those first awkward two minutes. If chatting with people is the thing to do, then make a few quick introductions and make sure that there are people available to chat, Some people will be served by being invited to help with something practical, like finishing setting up or arranging chairs. <br />
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3. <u>Try to start relatively on time.</u> It's the leader's job to be aware of the time so that participants don't have to. Even if everyone is not there, you should honor people's time by getting started right around when you said that you would. If you have social time built into your time, people should know that and come expecting that. <br />
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<br />
<b>The First Five Minutes of the Actual Meeting</b><br />
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1. If people are chatting before your meeting starts, <u>give people a 1-2 minute warning before you actually start.</u> It will help people to wrap up their conversations and mentally prepare for gathering together as a group. <br />
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2. If you are leading the meeting, once the group is gathered, <u>take a second to look around the room and appreciate who is there before you start talking.</u> Remind yourself that the meeting is about the people who God has brought more than it is about the things that you want to talk about. Having an attitude of gratitude for the people in the room will be reflected in your tone as you lead the group. <br />
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3. <u>Any group that does not know each other really well benefits from a brief round of introductions and an ice breaker</u>. Do not leave the ice breaker activity or question to the last minute. Ice breakers actually matter a lot. Think about the balance between light-heartedness and intimacy that you want as people introduce themselves and answer the ice-breaker question. There is a difference between "What is your favorite ice cream?" and "Who was your hero growing up?" in terms of self-revelation and actually getting to know people. It takes some thought to not go too inappropriately deep during introductions but also not be wasting everyone's time with random bits of information that don't help to build community. <br />
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4. I find that <u>a quick prayer helps to settle everyone and to make people more aware of God's presence. </u> It's okay to have a moment of quiet before the prayer. Center yourself so that you are not just "speaking out a prayer of transition" but actually taking some time to talk to God and tell Him what you are wanting from Him. <br />
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I hope this has been helpful. Please let me know if you have other ideas about how to have a great start to your small group meeting. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-70342447520558914302014-09-10T12:16:00.000-07:002014-09-10T12:26:14.244-07:00How to Plan a Small Group Retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This is a guest post by Eddie Chung, who has been co-leading a small group in our church for several years. </span></div>
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This year, as we did last year, we had a summer weekend retreat for our small group. I love having these retreats. Nothing accelerates relational development quite like these extended getaways. They bear fruit for a long time thereafter as our whole small group seems to operate off of this advanced jump off point throughout the year as we share, pray and welcome others into our group.</div>
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For newcomers, this experience is especially pronounced. Last year we had a newcomer to our small group that was still feeling his way around. During the retreat we had a time of sharing briefly about our life journeys and we learned about how this brother became Christian, the role of his family in his life, and some of the values that define him. When small group started a month later, he wasn't still feeling his way around, but treated himself (as did we) like a core member of the group who was making the group happen and not just there to observe. </div>
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Even among the small group core, these retreats do so much to help us feel comfortable with each other. So much of our experience of each other can be relatively superficial (why is X always so late, how come J talks so little during small group etc.) but there are things that I discover about them in the course of long drives or intentional q+a times that I am not sure I would have ever learned about otherwise. </div>
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There's a lot to planning these trips, but I would actually say that the effort/reward ratio is actually among the highest of the things we do to lead the group. Below I've included some tips about how you can plan your own small group trip next summer or even sometime this fall or spring:</div>
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1) If you are planning a summer trip, send out a doodle early (preferably April) and book a place as soon as possible. Summer weekends fill up fast and as much as possible, you want everyone to make it to the trip. The more popular vacation homes fill up soon, but more importantly you want the other small group members to protect that weekend and look forward to it. I would also highly highly recommend sharing one home together. </div>
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2) Divide the responsibilities. There's a number of things to arrange (looking for housing, planning meals and shopping, planning fun activities, planning spiritual activities, arranging rides, managing finances, etc.) but it's manageable if divided up among the trip participants. </div>
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3) Plan the bonding/get to know each other activities w/ more care. The small group retreat will still be great if food and games go awry, but creating space for bonding and also developing more intentional bonding activities are what really make these trips memorable. Some of the things our small group has done include passenger rotation on the long drives, pre-arranged get to know each other questions for the drives, evening show and tell times where each member shows/demonstrates something significant from their lives, sharing pictures and life journeys time, etc.</div>
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4) I have a number of spreadsheets related to our trips that may be of assistance too.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-49495336450156306262014-08-30T15:19:00.001-07:002014-08-30T15:24:07.806-07:00Great Books for Small Groups<i>Although not all small groups like to use books for the content/ learning piece of the small group gathering, I thought it would be useful to share a short list of books which I have found helpful in the past. As always, please consider the personality make up and other contextual factors of your group as you select a book to read and discuss together. Some groups have assigned books to read over the summer and gather at the end of the summer to discuss and share what they have learned. </i><br />
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<i>Please feel free to add to this list in the comments section if you'd like. This list is meant to get the conversation started.</i><br />
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<b>Topic: Prayer and Spirituality</b><br />
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1. <u>Too Busy Not to Pray: Slowing down to be with God </u>by Bill Hybels. Hybels is clear, personable and easy to learn from. The later editions have questions for reflection and discussion in the back.<br />
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2. <u>Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth</u> by Richard Foster. I have found it useful to even select a few chapters and highlight a few of the inward or outward spiritual disciplines that the small group may be especially interested in learning about and trying. <br />
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3. <u>Power to Pray: God's Immense Purposes for our Simple Prayers</u> by Don Andresson. The author is a Vineyard pastor from Massachusetts who has good scriptural teaching and an inspirational perspective on prayer. <br />
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<a href="webkit-fake-url://4612CAF3-4201-4A13-A9F8-19818968D9F0/application.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1190838869845254014" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b>Topic: Parenting and Family</b><br />
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1. <u>Never Mind the Joneses: Building Core Christian Values in a Way that Fits your Family</u> by Philip Yancy. This book talks about how to be thoughtful, creative, and intentional about how you lead your family into the deeper values of the Gospel. <br />
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2. <u>Motherhood: A Spiritual Journey </u> by Ellyn Sanna I re-read this book each time I was in an era of staying awake through the night to feed a new baby. It was new and different each time. I think I'll read it again now that I'm firmly in my life as a "if I don't get much sleep at night it's my own fault" parent.<br />
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<b>Topic: Being Missional and Outward Focused</b><br />
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1. <u>God's Relentless Pursuit: Discovering His Heart for Humanity</u> by Phil Strout. This is a great book about entering into God's Mission. The discussion/ reflection questions at the end are clear and helpful. <br />
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2. <u>Missional Small Groups: Becoming a Community that Makes a Difference in the World </u>by M. Scott Boren. There are some great, practical ideas in this book. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-88310409178997331002014-07-18T10:40:00.003-07:002014-08-30T14:37:45.666-07:00A Few Simple Small Group Meal Ideas<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><i>This is a guest post from church member Jennifer Rodriguez who has been helping to make small groups happen for many years. She is especially skilled at feeding large groups of people quickly, happily and simply. By the way, her chocolate chip cookies are to die for. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our small group meets late Sunday afternoon 4 - 6 pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right after the meeting we eat dinner
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get a hot meal we have
adopted a basic two meal rotation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our two basic meals are Spaghetti with Sauce (meat optional)
and Potato Bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost for these meals
is easily under $ 40 - estimating 10 adult servings for each meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The estimated food cost is divided equally amongst
all the families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In our situation one family always prepares the meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This decision was made because we have a
person who really likes to cook as well as having several families with small
children who enjoy getting a night off from cooking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spaghetti Set-up<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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margin-left:387pt;margin-top:11.7pt;width:135pt;height:105.85pt;z-index:251657216'>
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o:title="MCFD00969_0000[1]"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: relative; z-index: 251657216;"><span style="height: 108px; left: 384px; position: absolute; top: -43px; width: 137px;"></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before the meeting I
cook a large pot of spaghetti & drain it under tap water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The spaghetti rests on the counter in a cover
bowl during the meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile I
heat sauce in a crock pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we do
not have vegetarians we add meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
have extra sauce it can easily be frozen & used later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I also prepare a
basic salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again it rest covered
on the counter until meal time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as
we are eating I toss the salad with dressing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We also have sliced French
bread with butter – not heated or made fancy with garlic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Potato
bar Set-up<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One hour before the meeting I cook potatoes wrapped in aluminum
foil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once kinship starts I turn off
the oven – the potatoes tend to stay hot if left in a closed oven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you need to transport them or take them
out of the oven you can wrap them in a large towel & keep them in a plastic
“ice-chest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At meal time for toppings I set out sour cream, chopped
green onions, grated cheese & butter</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">In the crock pot I
heat canned vegetarian chili.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">(For my
crock pot I have to fill it 2/3 full to heat something which means I often have
left overs & so I freeze it for future use.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">During the potato bake
time I also steam a head of broccoli – after cooking it I drain it & let is
rest covered on the counter until meal time.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">I also prepare a
basic salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again it rest covered
on the counter until meal time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as
we are eating I toss the salad with dressing.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kid-snack
time<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We have several toddlers in our group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so as a group we decided that feeding the
kids snacks was OK even if that meant they did not eat as much dinner that
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We set out string cheese, baby
carrots and pretzels as well as juice boxes for kids to “graze on” whenever
they want to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cost for these items
is added to the nightly food bill.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As you can see our meal plan involves preparation before the
meeting & then letting food rest at room temperate during the meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone really wants their food hot they
can always use the microwave – otherwise we enjoy room temperature spaghetti
with hot sauce or a warm potato with hot chili.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-27006252783449268572014-07-01T18:21:00.000-07:002014-07-01T18:36:34.876-07:00How to Stay Connected Over the Summer "I miss school" my daughter told me with a sigh this morning. She's totally enjoying her summer with it's requisite BBQ gatherings, swimming and other relaxing, fun times. But I think she's feeling a little out of sorts at not having her regular routine and the regular relational connection that comes with it. She misses her teacher and all of the students that she appreciates but doesn't know well enough to initiate a playdate with. <br />
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I think that the same can be true for our small group communities. In our church, most of our small groups take a break or meet less regularly. It's nice to downshift or take a rest from our regular meeting schedule (especially for the leaders and the hosts) but after a few weeks, I find that people can start feeling lonely and disconnected. We miss each other.<br />
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How can we stay connected with our smaller "tribes" within our church when you are not meeting as regularly?<br />
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Here are a few suggestions:<br />
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1. Initiate some short email connections. Ask people if they would email out any quick prayer requests for this month or any encouraging things that have been going on. You might want to kick it off by sharing a prayer request or a testimony yourself. <br />
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2. Make something spontaneous happen. We encourage our group members to just let people know if they are going out to ice cream or to a movie and invite whoever is available to come along. Not everyone will be able to go but it's nice to have the opportunity. Lunch after church is a great idea since people are there already anyhow. You just have to let people know a restaurant and a time. <br />
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3. Let people know now when things are going to start back up in the fall. I find that it helps people to know that, even if they are less connected now, that regular routine of meeting will come back soon. People can put it into their calendar and look forward to an actual date to begin a more intensive time of community. <br />
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4. Be thoughtful. Take some time to think about what your small group members are doing or going through this summer. What did people share about before you took a break for the summer? Is someone going on an exciting vacation? Is someone going through a difficult time at work? Is someone's health an ongoing issue? Ask people when you see them (or by other means of communication) about specific things in their lives. It is a great blessing for people to know that you are thinking of them and remembering what they have shared about their summers. This will help them (and you) to feel less disconnected.<br />
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5. Finally, a little hunger for community can be a good thing. It's great to say, "I miss seeing you" to a fellow small group member and to look forward to more regular connection together. <br />
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Do you have any other specific ideas about how to stay connected. Please feel free to add your ideas and comments below. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1190838869845254014.post-78177769146401776942014-05-28T21:09:00.000-07:002014-05-28T21:38:40.160-07:00How to Host a Small Group at Your HomeI love having small groups gather in my home. In addition to forcing me to tidy up my house, we get to experience, close up, a kingdom value which is high on my list-- living life together. One of the benefits of our church not having a building is that we are forced to go to one another's homes, which weaves us together in a deeper, more organic way than just meeting in a more neutral, less personal venue.<br />
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However, hosting small groups in one's home is not without costs and an excellent small group experience at a home necessitates some thoughtfulness and wisdom. I thought it might be helpful to share a few tips and perspectives that I've gathered from people over the years on how to do a good job hosting a gathering in your home.<br />
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Before the meeting:<br />
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1. On cleaning up your house: It's natural for you to want to welcome your guests into a nice looking setting and, in general, clutter is not restful. However, please keep in mind that you don't have to be Martha Stewart. Vaccuum and put out chips if you want to but you should know that what people really want is simply a place to gather and focus on God and each other. If they can do that, the rest is gravy.<br />
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2. Consider the physical temperature. One practical thing that you will want to think about is whether your gathering space will be too hot or too cold. Remember that your house will be filled with people, and the collective body heat will raise the thermometer within 20 minutes of the meeting's starting time.<br />
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3. Consider the spiritual temperature. Take a few minutes before people show up to sit down and get a sense of how you are doing as a host. Frazzled? Anxious? Give those things to Jesus. If you are having tension with your co-hosts (housemates, kids, spouse?), take a minute to express love, appreciation and a desire to reconcile or reconnect later. Make sure that you take some time to pray that the Holy Spirit would fill the space of your home. <br />
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During the gathering:<br />
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4. One of the most important things that you can do is to make sure that each person is welcomed warmly and personally as they walk through your door. This might mean a hug or a handshake or a "so glad that you came!" Studies show that the first 7 seconds that a person is in a new place or meets a new person makes a tremendous impact on their overall sense of comfortability in the long term. Sharing a smile and making eye contact with each person who walks through your door is very important to helping someone to feel like they are wanted and welcome at a gathering.<br />
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5. Let people help out. There are usually a lot of dishes and moving of furniture etc. You will be a much better member of your group if you are not the only one taking care of the practical things around your house. It's easy to wave people off at first and let them just chat while you do all of the clean up but this is neither healthy for a group nor is it very sustainable long term. Group participants will take their cues from you regarding whether it's ok for them to help out with things that need to be done. I find that it's helpful to create a culture of everyone pitching in from early on. Don't just depend on people asking to pitch in, invite them to do so. Show people where the paper plates are, how to take the trash out and how you like your dishes done. You will not regret this!<br />
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After the gathering:<br />
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6. If people are having a good time and staying past your bedtime, feel free to gently but directly tell them that you need to head toward bed and that you look forward to seeing them again soon. People are much more served by direct communication when it comes to these boundaries rather than indirect irritation. <br />
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7. If you are hosting the group on a regular basis, ask a trusted group member for any feedback on your hosting style. Do your pets smell? Are your kids distractingly loud? Are you too much like Martha and not enough like Mary? If you give people permission to give you feedback, you are more likely to get an honest answer and you are more likely to be a good, happy host. <br />
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8. Take some time to ask yourself how it's going hosting. What do you enjoy and what is burdensome to you? Are there ways that you need to ask others to help out more? Are there systems that need to be recreated so that it works better for you? For example, someone who hosted a small group in her home each week realized that she really enjoyed hosting but it would help if the group met at someone else's place once a month so she could have a break. You don't have to keep doing something just because it was set up this way. Ask yourself and ask God how you can be thoughtful and creative about hospitality so that it continues to be a joy to serve. <br />
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Do you have any other thoughts that you would add? Please feel free to comment. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0