Comments on: How do I connect in a small group, Bible study?

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:32:47 +0000

Nice catch. I don’t catch comment mistakes until someone replies (if at all).

Fantastic words by the way. Integrity and honesty are close in many ways. After thinking about them, though, I can see the difference.

Thanks for sharing. It’s a great reminder to go back over some of my own values. Perhaps I’ll start posting them too. :>)

-Marshall Jones Jr.

By: Mike King

Mike King — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:02:41 +0000

Whoops, I can’t believe I wrote loyalty, I meant honesty. I think I just read the wrong word while typing. What a blunder, not it doesn’t feel like loyalty or honesty after that mess up… OK, that’s just funny. Serious though, its honesty….

By: Mike King

Mike King — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 03:01:17 +0000

My words I’ve had for some time now to describe myself are:
service, spirit, integrity and loyalty

I have those 4 words printed and posted on the “cubicle” walls of my office and it is always a great conversation starter when people see them.

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:18:40 +0000

Right on, Emily. I love these personal stories of how small groups have worked out. Something about the intimacy… if a group can quickly (and deeply) build that, it’s amazing what can happen.

I’m actually planning to write a series here about friendship and intimacy and how to build them. I think it’s an underrated talent.

Thank you for sharing.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:15:25 +0000

Yes, I’m a big debater too… too much sometime, and it doesn’t end up with everyone closer than ever. Usually, though, I love it. The open discussion helps everyone see where everyone else is coming from. That’s the best part about the studies.

-Marshall Jones Jr.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:40:20 +0000

These are great tips! I have seen #8 work personally this year in my Bible study. One night, (way back when when the study was only 8 girls), we all went to our leader’s apartment for dinner. We were all eating, enjoying superficial conversation that allowed us to keep our guards up when one of the girls took advantage of a quick lull to ask “So….how did you all come to know the Lord?”

Talk about a loaded question! Next thing I know, we’re all spilling our testimonies. We went from being pretty much complete strangers to very close friends.

Now, I don’t want to underestimate God’s sovereignty in all of this, but I do think the intense closeness fostered by this original discussion has a lot to do with why our study has doubled in size since then.

Great tips, thanks for sharing

By: Michael Holmes

Michael Holmes — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:54:10 +0000

This is great!

I personally love Bible studies. The main reasons are because it opens up a host of debates. And after the debates we end up closer than ever…oh…and we learn too!

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:37:11 +0000

That’s a good idea. What were your five words, Mike?

Perhaps I’d do a post on ice breakers. There’s invaluable… especially when you can pull them off without sounding too fake and “ice breaker-ish.”

-Marshall Jones Jr.

By: Mike King

Mike King — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:48:24 +0000

Good list. One thing our small group has done several times with new members and when we first started together that worked well was to pick 5 words or values to describe us, leaving our work and day to day activities out of it. It helped to learn the principles and foundation of people before the superficial day to day stuff. A great way to introduce yourself as well really.

By: bondChristian

bondChristian — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:48:46 +0000

I just emailed my email address to you. :>) I never mind sending it to you like this, but you can always contact me through the contact page (you can click through at the top) too. Either way is fine with me though. -Marshall Jones Jr.