Intentional Small Group Curriculum Design

September 25, 2014

Presenter: Darrell Holtz(darrell.holtz@cor.org)

Facilitator: Shari Wilkins

• Meet your neighbor(s)• In this workshop we will: share the main ideas and

tools we use to help Resurrection small group leaders intentionally choose studies that foster group members’ balanced spiritual growth

• In this workshop we won’t: cover many other aspects of a strong small group ministry (covered in “Small Group Discipleship Essentials” (large and small church versions), “Recruiting, Developing and Sustaining Small Group Leaders” – materials at www.cor.org/liresources

• Questions? At break, afterward, 3x5 cards

The Value of Intentionality• How do parents choose food for their kids?

• They can buy whatever looks good in the store, or whatever the kids ask for.

• The kids are more likely to be well-fed and healthy with intentionality, a plan, behind the food we buy them.

• Small group leaders often browsed bookstore shelves (physical or electronic), choosing a catchy cover or an author group members had liked before. We wanted to equip them with tools to help them focus more on giving their group a “balanced spiritual diet.”

Framework for intentionality• Adult Discipleship’s “Fifteen traits of a deeply committed Christian”• Five traits each for Knowing, Loving, and Serving God.• Not exhaustive, not perfect—but they help us focus on what a “balanced

spiritual diet” could look like.• Goal: create a list intentionally limited to 250-400 “recommended titles.”• “Recommended” – nothing on the list is “required,” and nothing not on

the list is “forbidden.”• Want to tell leaders, “These are the most well-done, best ‘fitting’ studies

we have found.” (So far—always improving.)• Not an Amazon or Cokesbury competitor.

• Three levels of study: Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced.• Defined as least-experienced group who could profit from the study.

Framework for intentionality• Evaluate studies for our list – we want more than just

“I liked it” or “I didn’t care for it.”• Theological Principles: content and tone.

• Key examples:• Studies MUST affirm the essentials of the Christian faith in the historic

creeds nearly all Christians believe (e.g. the Apostle’s Creed and Nicene Creed)

• Studies MUST be helpful and positive, avoiding judgmental statements, name-calling, harsh labeling, and efforts to describe anyone holding a different view as “un-Christian”

• It is highly desirable that studies fairly represent all major views of the subject(s) dealt with

• It is highly desirable that studies include intellectual (knowing), devotional (loving) and practical (serving) emphases

Framework for intentionality• Operational Principles: format and delivery

• Key examples:• More than a book

We only recommend resources that are “more than a book”–every study we recommend has at least study/discussion questions included.

• Fits The United Methodist Church of the ResurrectionOur goal is to support Resurrection’s mission and theological stance. Many high-quality group resources reflect views of theology and mission that differ significantly from those of this church. We do not recommend those.

• Highest possible qualityMany group resources fully support Resurrection’s theology and mission, but are poorly produced or boringly presented. We also do not recommend those!

• Announcements (Shari) & Stretch break

Delivering Tools for Intentionality• Curriculum Task Force - 10 members - 4 staff, 5

experienced group leaders (unpaid)• Idea is adaptable to your church’s size• Met 4-5 times a year for 90 minutes – main work

done between meetings• Simple agenda:

• Share reviews• Choose material to review for next meeting

• Taps sometimes overlooked spiritual gifts

Group Life Curriculum Task Force Curriculum Evaluation Sheet

Curriculum Title:_______________________________________________________________________

Curriculum Author(s):___________________________________________________________________

Publisher________________________________________ Copyright Date:________________________

Reviewer________________________________________ Date Reviewed:_______________________

Introductory Intermediate Advanced

Tags: Marriage Parenting/Family Workplace Women’s Men’s Young Adult

Format and components: Book Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ Workbook/participant manual Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ DVD Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ Leader’s manual Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ Your Bible Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ Online Study Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ ___________________ Required Optional N/A ISBN # ___________________ Number of sessions:_____ (as structured by publisher; leaders may adapt)

Primary Trait (reason this is on our list): ___________________________________________________ Other traits significantly addressed (see definitions on back if needed): Christian Essentials Bible Understanding Church/United Methodism Basic Christian Ethics Knowing God’s Purpose/Will Surrender Transformation Spiritual Disciplines Fruit of the Spirit Small Group Relationships/Community Service Sharing Spiritual Gifts/Talents Financial Gifts Time

Rate this curriculum as a candidate for our list of recommendations:

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 A “best-ever” Okay— A complete classic! not too special waste of time!

Comments:

Task Force Decision: _____Yes ______No Exceptions (if yes):

If it’s of use to you, you can download this form as a Word file from the Leadership Institute web site – www.cor.org/liresources

Delivering Tools for Intentionality• Assessment tool for group leaders and members – not

perfect, but available on Leadership Institute web site• Began with nifty Web tool – took a LOT of IT support,

software itself became outdated• Excel list pdf—updated version, as needed, at leader page

from www.cor.org/grouplife• DVD rental library - $1/week – only available to Resurrection

small group leaders (all campuses)• Idea adaptable for many churches with active groups, at

whatever scale fits your church

Delivering Tools for Intentionality• Beyond books and DVDs:

• Weekly GPS-based small group guide – free download – lower cost for groups, supports sermon ministry – at www.cor.org/sermon

• “Guest leaders”• Spiritual gifts• Finance• Lay member’s own study!

• Cross-generational family curriculum• Pdf files on Leadership Institute site.

Delivering Tools for Intentionality• Possible future directions:

• Develop Advent and Lenten group guides for church-wide study during those key seasons

• GPS “branded” guides (e.g. “How to Read the Bible,” “How to Pray” – CTF members as key design partners – video? – downloadable)

• Weekly small group guide more closely tied to sermon content• Built around Web-available sermon clips• Discussion focused on key points raised in sermon

Challenges We’ve Encountered• Consumer mentality sometimes resists “balanced diet” approach.

• “What are the most popular (hottest) studies?”• “What are the newest studies?”

• Leaders aren’t sure they can trust us.• “Show us comments from real group leaders.”• “We don’t need the church telling us what to study.”

• Just never thought of planning curriculum ahead.Group leader at a workshop: “We’ve got one week left on our study. It’s hard to find something good.” Presenter gently said, “In my group, we’ve started planning 6 months ahead,” andthe questioner’s jaw literally dropped!

Delivering Tools for Intentionality• Our goal is not to “control” – it is to encourage, equip

and model intentionality (leader responsibility)• Paul to Timothy (and, maybe, small group leaders?!):

“Remind them of these things and warn them in the sight of God not to engage in battles over words that aren’t helpful and only destroy those who hear them. Make an effort to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker, who doesn’t need to be ashamed but is one who interprets the message of truth correctly.”

--2 Timothy 2:14-15 (CEB)

Thank you for the privilege of serving you!

Reminder: please help us get better by filling out the feedback form about this workshop

Contact information:Darrell Holtz (darrell.holtz@cor.org)Shari Wilkins (shari.wilkins@cor.org)