A great small group will be invitational, but it doesn't happen by accident. Its leadership team must be intentional about helping the group reach out to people who aren't there yet.
Talking Points:
- An invitational group doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with leaders who care about it. People will catch your attitude and example.
- If a group is learning to make disciples who make disciples, that means engaging and incorporating people who aren’t there yet.
- Spend time as a group praying by name for people you would like to start coming to the group. Pray also for unnamed people whom you may not even know yet, but in whom the Holy Spirit might be working to draw them toward Jesus.
- Every so often, hold a simple event that open the doors of the group. Certain times in the year lend themselves to an invitational event. Make it an event that is easy to organize, easy for your members to invite people to, and easy for a newcomer to say “Yes”.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Do you believe a truly healthy small group must be invitational? Why or why not?
- What happens in the dynamics of a group as people lose the vision to invite others?
- Brainstorm some invitational events a small group could organize.
- What are some factors that make it hard to invite people to join a group? How would you address these challenges?
- How would you invite a church attender differently from a non-church attender?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
