Solving Problems in Your LIFE Group

How Do I Handle Problems In My Group? from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

How Can I Be a Better Facilitator?

How Can I Improve My Facilitation Skills? from Seacoast Church on Vimeo.

Group Conflict is Inevidable

Most of the time we tend to avoid or deny conflict. In reality, conflict and its proper resolution can actually build community. Check this out:

Identify Your Group Dynamic

You might have a talker; you might have silence; it might be boring; it might be difficult. How do you deal with these group dynamics? The following video may help you.

Dealing with "The Talker" in Your Group

We have all had the person who seems to dominate the discussion in a group. This can be very damaging to the group dynamic and must be dealt with. Here are a couple thoughts:

Deeper Teaching or Deeper Application

I find this to be a great reminder of what God desires for us. We often hear people say that they want "deeper teaching", but what we really need is "deeper application." Love your feedback on this one.

LIFE Groups are for EVERYONE

The following is a video that reminds us that a LIFE Group for everyone to learn and grow.

10 Must Do's for a Successful Life Group

This is a pretty good checklist to help make your LIFE Group effective and stable.

1. Pray!
2. Ask everyone to participate
3. Make the group a safe place to share (confidentiality)
4. Be excited
5. Be prepared
6. Have good food (Barefoot hospitality)
7. Do follow-up calls (be encouraging)
8. Start and end the meeting on time
9. Do outreach activities together (Ministry Teams, Dream Fest, Home Projects, etc)
10. Be available for one another

Oh, yeah, two more:
Engage in outside social activities
Don't be afraid to put the agenda aside

What do you think? Have anymore ideas?

Six "B's" of a LIFE Group

The Six “B’s” of LIFE Group Membership

The Bible encourages us to gather together to encourage one another. It says that as the time of Christ’s return gets closer, it is even more important. Hebrews 10:24–25.
Barefoot LIFE Groups are an environment created for connecting, encouraging and growing.

The following are suggestions that will help you to contribute to and to get the most out of a LIFE Group experience.

1. Be prepared. You will find that being prepared will make the experience more enjoyable for you and you will be able to contribute to the discussions.

2. Be a participant. The LIFE Group facilitator will not be lecturing. He or she will be encouraging group members to contribute to the discussion.

3. Be focused. Stay with the subject that is the topic of the study. Try not to allow the discussion to move to unrelated subjects. These things can be discussed during the fellowship time or after the study.

4. Be polite. Be sensitive to the other members of the group. Pay attention to what they say. Link what you say to comments made by others. This will be both encouraging and will assist in the learning process.

5. Be expectant. Listen to what the Lord may be saying to you personally or to the group as you discuss the topic or principle found in God’s Word.

6. Be confidential. Anything personal that is discussed in the group should not be shared outside the group. A breaking of confidentially will rob the group of authenticity, openness and a life-changing environment.