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As we conclude this mini-series on Small Groups during our month-long discussion of Transformation and Community, I want to offer some of the specific HOWs, as specifically shared in the IRSM Small Group Bible study books.
If you are interested in starting a small group using an IRSM interactive Bible study, specially designed to be done in small groups, you can order books through our website, or contact us by phone or email (see our Contact page on the website).
Suggestions for HOW to realize an IRSM small group study:
• Rotate the leading of the discussion among each of the women.
o Everyone can lead!
o Everyone will grow!
• Commit to reading the chapter ahead of time.
o The discussion will be richer and deeper if everyone comes prepared.
o How much you put in will be directly proportional to how much you get out.
o You will need to do these studies with your favorite Bible in hand.
And a few more specific suggestions if you are the one leading the group discussion that week:
• Make it your own and allow the Spirit to lead—these studies are a resource, not a script.
o Select which questions you would like to discuss and plan for ones you might need to skip if you are running short on time.
o You are welcome to add questions of your own or highlight portions of the chapter that most stood out to you, whether they were designated for discussion or not.
• Leading is about facilitating the discussion, not about having all the answers.
o When someone brings up a difficult situation or challenging question, you can always open it up to the group for answers from Scripture, not just personal advice.
o The answer may merit further study of Scripture or the consultation of someone with more experience in the Word and/or experience regarding that type of situation. And that’s okay! We’re digging deeper.
• Be willing to answer the designated discussion questions first and use your own examples, but avoid the temptation to do all the talking.
o Allow for awkward silence in order to provide the opportunity for others to share.
o It’s okay to call on someone and encourage them to answer a specific question.
o “Why or why not?” are good follow-up questions for discussion.
• Include additional examples from Scripture and encourage others to do the same.
o Online Bible programs, such as BibleGateway.com, provide excellent resources: multiple versions of the Bible, concordances (to look up the occurrences of a word), Bible dictionaries, and commentaries.
• Give a practical wrap-up conclusion or “take-home” application from the week as you close with the Common Threads.
• Be sure to budget some time for prayer.
• Remember our purposes as Iron Rose Sisters, students of the Word and daughters of the King.
Do you have any other suggestions for women meeting in small groups?
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“Where” is the least important question, as we discussed yesterday, but today’s question, WHY, is the most important. If we know the “why,” all other questions are answered without obstacle.
How many one another verses can we put into practice when we are sitting side by side in a Sunday morning assembly? Now think about how many one another verses we can put into practice when we are engaging in deeper relationship, face to face, or around a table, in the context of small groups?
To answer the “why” of small groups, we are going to go straight to Scripture and recognize the power of small groups for realizing the teaching of these verses.
Notice the one another and each other language in the verses listed below. This is not an exhaustive list, but the top 30... I couldn’t pick just one or two!
1. Galatians 6:2 - Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
2. Zechariah 8:16 –speak the truth to each other
3. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 – therefore encourage each other with these words.
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – encourage one another and build each other up
5. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 – we ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.
6. Hebrews 10:24 – spur one another on to love and good deeds
7. Hebrews 10:24 – encourage one another (by meeting together)
8. Hebrews 13:1 – keep on loving each other as brothers.
9. James 5:16 – therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
10. John 13:34-35 – love one another – by this you are my disciples
11. Romans 12:10 – be devoted to one another; honor one another
12. Romans 12:16 – live in harmony with one another
13. Romans 15:7 – accept one another as Christ accepted you
14. Romans 15:14 – instruct one another
15. Romans 16:16; I Cor. 16:20 II Cor. 13:12; I Pet. 5:14 – greet one another with a holy kiss
16. 1 Corinthians 1:10 – agree with one another
17. Galatians 5:13 – serve one another in love
18. Ephesians 4:2 – be patient, bearing with one another in love
19. Ephesians 4:32 – be kind and compassionate to one another
20. Ephesians 5:19 – speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
21. Ephesians 5:21 – submit to one another out of reverence for Christ
22. Colossians 3:13 – bear with each other and forgive... just as Christ forgave you
23. Colossians 3:16 – teach and admonish one another
24. Hebrews 3:13 – encourage one another daily
25. 1 Peter 1:22 – love one another deeply, from the heart
26. 1 Peter 3:8 – live in harmony with one another
27. 1 Peter 4:8 – above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
28. 1 Peter 4:9 – offer hospitality to one another
29. 1 Peter 5:5 – clothe yourselves with humility toward one another
30. 1 John 4:12 – if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us