intentional small group curriculum design october 1, 2015 presenter: darrell holtz...
TRANSCRIPT
Intentional Small Group Curriculum Design
October 1, 2015
Presenter: Darrell Holtz([email protected])
Facilitator: Debbie Hoskovec
li.cor.org/resource
Welcome!•Prayer•In this workshop we will: share ideas and tools we use to help Resurrection small group leaders intentionally choose studies that foster group members’ balanced spiritual growth•In this workshop we won’t: cover many other aspects of a strong small group ministry (covered in “Small Group Discipleship Essentials” (large and small church versions), “Launching New Leaders and their Small Groups” and “Recruiting, Developing and Training Small Group Leaders” – materials at www.li.cor.org/resource)•Questions? At break, afterward, 3x5 cards•Meet your neighbor(s)
The Value of Intentionality• How do parents choose food for their kids?
• They can buy whatever looks good in the store, or whatever the kids ask for.
• The kids are more likely to be well-fed and healthy with intentionality, a plan, behind the food we buy them.
• Small group leaders often browsed bookstore shelves (physical or electronic), choosing a catchy cover or an author group members had liked before. We wanted to equip them with tools to help them focus more on giving their group a “balanced spiritual diet.”
Framework for Intentionality• How we look at maturity levels:
Encounter ≈ 40%
Engage ≈ 30%
Express ≈ 20%
Embody ≈ 10%
Explore
Framework for Intentionality• Based on that, we identify three basic maturity levels of studies
• No “Explore” studies – they’re not in “church” small groups yet• We offer Alpha regularly, and it’s where we encourage
Explorers to start—“structurally” it’s not a small group study • Numerous “Encounter” studies• Some “Engage” studies• Relatively few “Express” studies• No “Embody” coded studies
• Wait—isn’t that backward? • No, because we define the maturity level code as the least-
experienced group who could profit from the study.
Framework for Intentionality• Maturity level addressed – the other question is, “What is the study
about?” – 17 “prayer” studies in a row might produce an unbalanced Christian – deep in one area, ignorant/unaware in many others
• Adult Discipleship’s “Fifteen traits of a deeply committed Christian”• Five traits each for Knowing, Loving, and Serving God.• Not exhaustive, not perfect, not a pathway—but they help us focus on
what a “balanced spiritual diet” could look like.• Goal: have a list of “recommended titles” intentionally held to 250-400.• “Recommended” – nothing on the list is “required,” and nothing not on
the list is “forbidden.”• Want to tell leaders, “These are the most well-done, best ‘fitting’
studies we have found.” (So far—always improving.)• Not an Amazon or Cokesbury competitor.
Framework for Intentionality• Need to evaluate studies for our list – we want more
depth than just “I liked it” or “I didn’t care for it.”• Theological Principles: content and tone
• Key examples:• Studies MUST affirm the essentials of the Christian faith in the historic
creeds nearly all Christians believe (e.g. the Apostle’s Creed and Nicene Creed)
• Studies MUST be helpful and positive, avoiding judgmental statements, name-calling, harsh labeling, and efforts to describe anyone holding a different view as “un-Christian”
• It is highly desirable that studies fairly represent all major views of the subject(s) dealt with
• It is highly desirable that studies include intellectual (knowing), devotional (loving) and practical (serving) emphases
Framework for Intentionality• Operational Principles: format and delivery
• Key examples:• More than a book
We only recommend resources that are “more than a book”–every study we recommend has at least study/discussion questions included.
• Fits The United Methodist Church of the ResurrectionOur goal is to support Resurrection’s mission and theological stance. Many high-quality group resources reflect views of theology and mission that differ significantly from those of this church. We do not recommend those.
• Highest possible qualityMany group resources fully support Resurrection’s theology and mission, but are poorly produced or boringly presented. We also do not recommend those!
• Announcements (Debbie) and stretch break
Delivering Tools for Intentionality• Curriculum Task Force - including staff (bookstore a
key partner) and experienced group leaders (unpaid)• Idea is adaptable to your church’s size – we’re
adapting our own, now that the list is close to “full”• Met 4-5 times a year, 90 minutes – (now more like
twice a year) - main work done between meetings• Simple agenda:
• Share reviews• Choose material to review for next meeting
• Taps sometimes overlooked spiritual gifts
Delivering Tools for Intentionality
Group Life Curriculum Task Force Curriculum Evaluation Sheet
Curriculum Title:_______________________________________________________________________
Curriculum Author(s):___________________________________________________________________
Publisher________________________________________ Copyright Date:________________________
Reviewer________________________________________ Date Reviewed:_______________________
Introductory Intermediate Advanced
Tags: Marriage Parenting/Family Workplace Women’s Men’s Young Adult
Format and components: Book Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ Workbook/participant manual Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ DVD Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ Leader’s manual Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ Your Bible Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ Online Study Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ ___________________ Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ Number of sessions:_____ (as structured by publisher; leaders may adapt)
Primary Trait (reason this is on our list): ___________________________________________________ Other traits significantly addressed (see definitions on back if needed): Christian Essentials Bible Understanding Church/United Methodism Basic Christian Ethics Knowing God’s Purpose/Will Surrender Transformation Spiritual Disciplines Fruit of the Spirit Small Group Relationships/Community Service Sharing Spiritual Gifts/Talents Financial Gifts Time
Rate this curriculum as a candidate for our list of recommendations:
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 A “best-ever” Okay— A complete classic! not too special waste of time!
Comments:
Task Force Decision: _____Yes ______No Exceptions (if yes):
If it’s of use to you, you can download this form as a Word file from the Leadership Institute web site – www.li.cor.org/resource
Delivering Tools for Intentionality• Coach group leaders to help them assess their group’s
spiritual maturity and balance• DVD rental library - $1/week – only available to Resurrection
small group leaders (all campuses)• Idea adaptable for many churches with active groups, at
whatever scale fits your church• Began with fairly good Web tool – took a LOT of I/T support,
software itself became outdated• For now: Excel list pdf—on the resource Web site –we will
update it at least every six months – it’s been on our Group Leader page, but we’re changing church Web site in c. 2 wks
Delivering Tools for Intentionality• Beyond books and DVDs:
• Weekly GPS-based small group guide – free download – lower cost for groups, supports sermon ministry – at www.cor.org/sermon
• “Guest leaders”• Spiritual gifts
•Future dreams• Advent and Lenten group guides for
church-wide use during those key seasons
Challenges We’ve Encountered• Consumer mentality sometimes resists “balanced diet” approach.
• “What are the most popular (hottest) studies?”• “What are the newest studies?”
• Leaders aren’t sure they can trust us.• “Show us comments from real group leaders.”• “We don’t need the church telling us what to study.”
• Just never thought of planning curriculum ahead.Group leader at a workshop: “We’ve got one week left on our study. It’s hard to find something good.” Presenter gently said, “In my group, we’ve started planning 6 months ahead,” andthe questioner’s jaw literally dropped!
Encouraging Intentionality• Our goal is not to “control” – we’d be foolish to try – our
goal is to encourage, equip and model intentionality (leader responsibility)
• Paul to Timothy (and, maybe, small group leaders?!):“Remind them of these things and warn them in the sight of God not to engage in battles over words that aren’t helpful and only destroy those who hear them. Make an effort to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker, who doesn’t need to be ashamed but is one who interprets the message of truth correctly.”
--2 Timothy 2:14-15 (CEB)
Thank you for the privilege of serving you!
I will stay to answer questions for as long as you want to stay to ask – use the 3x5 cards; if I can read your e-mail address, I promise an answer within 1-2 weeks
Reminder: please help us get better by filling out the feedback form about this workshop and leaving it with Debbie on your way out
Contact information:Darrell Holtz ([email protected])Debbie Hoskovec ([email protected])