Monday, 23 June 2008

Christian bible group icebreakers - Skill Set.

Christian bible group icebreakers - Introduction

Allow me account a most common scenario in numerous small groups. At the start of your discussion the leader might call for an icebreaker question like, "How was your week? Does anyone have anything to contribute with the group?" Or, possibly the leader puts a particular icebreaker question like: "Who was your favored childhood acquaintance?" or "What is the most beneficial embarking you have ever taken?" Commonly, the icebreaker question creates the whole step for the group's discussion time. The rest of the group time is generally committed to Christian Bible study, prayer, etc.

A genuine Christian Bible group icebreaker question is an open-ended question that follows applied at the commencement of the group's discourse time. Not only is a beneficial icebreaker open-ended, meaning it does not have a correct or wrong answer, but the individual answering the question will be the expert when it comes to the topic of the Christian Bible group question. Another decisive characteristic by a icebreaker is that everybody should be encouraged to answer. It's not optional. The leader should answer first to fashion the character and duration of reply wanted. And then, go round the group; if someone desires to pass, allow them, but remember the question should be safe enough so that group members should feel comfortable responding.

The Christian Bible group icebreaker question and subsequent life-sharing time is decisive as it aids the group "level the playing field" and warms people's hearts and minds to discourse over God's truth. All the same, if we cannot make the association and connection between our life stories and God's truth, then we have lost some of the power that living within Christian community enables. Whenever we discuss ourselves and talk about the Bible, but never arrive at or make the association and connectedness between the two, then life transformation can not happen.

So the question is: How do we create a life changing crossing between sharing our own life history and experiences and perusing God's Word? How can we channel those icebreaker questions and answers so they assist people arrive at the crossing between the truth about their lives and the truth about God?

What I do is deliberately choose a Christian Bible group icebreaker topic that connects on the scriptural truth that we desire to discourse during our group meeting. Then during our Bible study, I'll call for follow-up questions that associate and call together the icebreaker (life story) to the information of Holy Scripture (Bible study) we are talking over.

Jesus was fantastic at applying this formula in His teaching. He began with ideas and questions about common life and proceeded to questions about life transformation.

I've been in involved in many groups where icebreakers were applied to delineate the intersection point between Christian truth and our lives. As a small group ministry leader, I can assure you that in most groups wherever icebreaker questions are applied in this formula, Christ-centered life-change was occurring far considerably more consistently. Apply them the way Jesus applied them and you will have the same winning results.

Christian bible group icebreakers - 5 Characteristics of an Effective Christian bible group leader.

If you are reasoning about becoming involved as a Christian bible group leader or you are already at that place, you in all likelihood feeling as though you have received the calling to be a Christian bible group worker. Just because God placed a desire to work with Christians with your heart and soul doesn't mean that you do not have to develop as a Christian bible group leader.

Whether you have experienced a decade years of youth leadership gone through or are just getting going in your chosen path, it’s always beneficial to acknowledge which areas of leadership are development areas that study and knowledge. Here are the 5 leading features of a proficient Christian bible group leader.

Christian bible group icebreakers - Responsibility and Authority

Taking responsibility is a major part of being an competent youth worker. You are the leader of the group, and responsibility comes with the position. You are answerable for tasks, supervision, leadership and guidance, and being an the example for others to follow. You need to keep your authority enough to keep students following your leadership and direction, you need to make the best decisions for your group.

As a accountable and authoritative youth worker you have to set boundaries, there is a line between you being a student’s friend and being a group leader. Certain behaviors require that you inform parents and pastors. Certain actions and behaviors require that you have to stand up to a teen to tell them what they are doing wrong, it is your responsibility to guide and set the example.

Christian bible group icebreakers - Positive Attitude

It can be very damaging to youth ministry to have a petulant leader. If you only bring negativity to Christian bible study group meetings, your students will start to connect damaging and negative traits traits with the youth group and even the church as a altogether. Even when going through the ,most difficult of times you are required to be capable to apply a steady face and reasoning manner. Make sure to hold your focal point on the beneficial in all situations and affairs. It can be arduous and difficult at times, but a leader of Christian Bible group study needs to hold on to your students being focused and directed in the right direction.

Yes, there is a large amount of obligation and responsibility for those that take the role of becoming a youth leader, but by acquiring and putting into practice to acquire the top 5 winning characteristics of a great youth leader, you can succeed and become a leading exemplar to the students and other Christian bible study group leaders. Your Christian Bible group will grow and glean the payoffs as your group grows in strength. Take your time to discover fields in which you are able to acquire knowledge and grow ever more as as a leader.

Christian bible group icebreakers - God Centered Heart

In all likelihood does not need to be said, but if you are thinking of becoming a leader working with Christian teens you ought be walking with God yourself. This does not mean that you have to be the most enlightened and knowledgeable Christian in the world, merely you require to have some knowledge of perception of your personal Christ centered beliefs and you need to have a heart and spirit focalized on God.

An effective youth worker will be able to establish demonstrate their own personal kinship with God as a good example for your audienace. It is difficult to instruct people in concepts and ideas you do not do yourself. The doctrine “Do as I do, not as I say,” does not go very far with teenagers. Devotedness, regular prayer time, and regular Bible reading will assist you develop within your relationship with God and allow good patronage and diligence in working in Christian Bible group leadership.

Christian bible group icebreakers - The Servant Heart

The servant heart is also of prime importance. Youth ministry takes a lot of work to cultivate correctly and efficiently. You will most likely need to be available to help set-up, clean-up, and assist Christian bible group study beyond the veritable regular services. Youth ministers frequently require a considerable amount of assistance in preparation and fulfilling the execution youth ministry events.

Without a servant’s heart, you will find this difficult and you will struggle to set a Christian example to your students. Being a servant is a major component of living a life as a Christian. Christ was a good shepherd and servant to man, and He called for the people of the world to be servants to each another. This does not have to mean that you have to be comprise to a role of slavery to ministry, but you are required to arrive ready and able to assistant whenever possible.

Christian bible group icebreakers - Wide Shoulders

Living a Christian life can be difficult. Just because they are Christians does not imply that they don't go through trials and tribulations like all other people of society. A great Christian bible group leader is there for the followers of Bible study. What this means, is that the leader of Christian bible study must have broad shoulders that can handle the aspects of ministry, they must be able to handle the tears, laughter, self-examination, and insights of the group. As a Christian bible group leader you carry the responsibility of what is going on in your students’ lives.

Christian bible group leaders are requires to have empathy for the students they encompass with their bible study. Empathy is being the ability to be capable and able to put yourself in the position of other people. You also are require to have good communication skills, and most of all good listening ability. This is not just a case of just listening to what a student is saying. You should actively listen and ask questions and enquire. A lot of what your group members say is “between the lines, and will not be evident immediately, look to what is said, and also to what is not said also.

A great Christian bible group leader is available to help followers of bible study anytime. This does not mean sacrificing ones own personal life, you do need to set boundaries for your ministering, but what if a student calls you in crisis at 1am, this is I;m afraid is part of the course in Ministering. Life's problems does not just befall between the hours of 9 to 5.

Christian bible group icebreakers - Conclusion

By following the wining formula of the 5 Characteristics of an Effective Christian bible group leader. I hope you can better establish yourself as an effective leader in Christian bible group study and better apply your self in your in your first lesson in our series on Christian bible group icebreakers.

Next week.
Aliens in the vatican, the pope call girls scandel, and the nunnery kill spree.
Plus how to make a phone call to god, thats right I have Gods phone number.
And dont miss our series on how to be a super powered god botherer fighting evil.
Stay tunned for that and more.