5 Tips On Offering Support As A Group
With God and his people, there is endless, limitless, and surprising support. As you continue to dive into groups and deepen in community, here are a few ways to find and offer support!
Tip #1: Asking Powerful Questions
Sometimes, within group settings, the conversation can go many different ways. It's always good to let the conversation naturally and organically flow. Discovery Bible Study is a great tool and framework that invites people to be intentional, curious, and supportive of one another! As a group facilitator, ask questions that help guide the conversation and use the group study as a way to point back to what God says in Scripture and in people’s lives throughout group!
Tip #2: Dig Deeper
You don't have to be an expert or have all the answers! Bring what you uniquely have to your group and invite others to do the same! When tricky or tense topics or questions arise, show up in a way that invites vulnerability and offers support through curiosity:
- What is important about this for you?
- What support do you need from the group?
- What is God saying or teaching in this?
Tip #3: Pray
As a group, prayer is one of the best ways to remain connected to God and one another, discern well together, and be attentive to what God is up to. Before every group gathering, consider starting with a Prayer of Indifference - wanting nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else than what God wants! Another way to be connected in prayer is by becoming a prayer team together, spurring one another on as God continues to cultivate community.
Tip #4: Share Stories
Tell stories along the way! In what ways have the Scriptures come alive in your life? What new insights and learnings are you learning along the way? How did you step with the Spirit this week? What is God inviting you to partner with him and his people in new ways? Sharing stories of God’s goodness and your participation in it helps build connection with one another, and enriches the discovery process!
Tip #5: Celebrate the Differences
When people first meet, connections are usually made on affinity. As these relationships deepen, differences surface. Groups want to contribute to safe spaces, where people can be vulnerable, honest, and real with one another. So, approach conflict or hardship as opportunities to further deepen and sharpen one another by listening well, learning from one another, and offering empathy and help along the way!
There are so many ways to show up committed and curious. Let your group become a place and a people that practice endless support to keep going in Jesus’ direction together.