RightNow Media

RightNow Media has phenomenal video bible studies complete with 5-30 minute segments and study guides. Topics cover an entire range of situations, demographics, and life phases. You'll find content on marriage, teens, finances, leadership, even business. For your FREE invite and full access to this vast library, create your free account here: https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/LifeChangeChurch

Google Sheet of Current Inventory

Looking for curriculum or study ideas? Here is a Google sheet with includes numerous possibilities! These are books, videos, and kits from studies that we have done over the years. We have more than $13,000 worth of resources available. Details inside the spreadsheet. Questions? Email Rita@MyLifeChangeChurch.tv for answers!

Five ways groups can incorporate little people:

1. In-Group Care—Some groups prefer to keep the child care "in house" (pun intended!). Each week someone rotates as their way of serving. It's fun to use resources like the Jesus Storybook Bible, provide age-appropriate activities or even have the freedom to turn on a movie. It becomes impromptu discipleship sessions with other families. Speaking into our friends' children's lives can be very rewarding!
2. Children Involved for Part of the Time—With doing groups "freestyle", it allows you to change your group day/time to include meals or games with everyone and then a time focused on caring for and teaching the kids. It also encourages groups to learn to let all of our conversations be rooted in the gospel when joined by our children.
3. Guys vs Girls—One group decided to have the guys stay home with their own kids one week. The moms stayed home the next. After a couple weeks of switching back and forth, they would get together collectively and share a meal. It's an "easy on the wallet" idea.
4. Babysitter—With how crazy life is these days, some groups simply opt to hire either a babysitter or two for their group and everyone chips in a couple dollars. Some simply get a sitter at their own home so the munchkins can be in their own beds at the best time for them.
5. Meet Online—Tuck the kids in bed, pop some popcorn and you're all set to relax and lead your group without interruption or a late night for the kiddos.
6. Looking for more ideas? Check out this article by the small group experts: Small Groups and Children: What do we do?

Overtalker Video Cliff Notes

1. Host should talk 30% of the time allowing the group to do 70% of the talking.
2. Sit next to the overtalker. It prevents eye contact which encourages engagement.
3. Wait for the pause and interject with a "thanks for sharing, let's see what ______ has to say."
4. Ask for people to share by name. (Being sensitive to not make people feel uncomfortable.)
5. For prayer requests, set a time limit or limit on how many things they can share.
6. If all else fails, talk to the person after the group. Ask for their help to make sure everyone has an opportunity to share.
7. Start the meeting out by explaining that some of you are overtalkers and some are too quiet and encourage them all to know which they are and keep the group itself in mind.
8. Silence is okay and the space doesn't need to be filled immediately. Sometimes people are processing what they want to say.

A digital group provides great flexibility and an opportunity to stay connected. We know that leading a digital group can be hard and has its own challenges. We want to help. Check out our digital group leader best practices.

You or your group members feeling extra exhausted meeting digitally? Check out these tips to help with “Zoom Fatigue”.

Need some new ways to start the conversation? Check out these icebreaker questions or use our Digital Story Cards from GroupLeaders.org.

Games can be a great way to grow connections with your group members in a stress-free way. Check out these digital games that can be used in-person or virtually:

• Musical Bingo: A digital twist on a classic Bingo game
• Kahoot!: An online trivia game
• Virtual Scavenger Hunt: A race to gather specific items around your house.
• Who Said It: Jesus or Oprah?: A game of guessing who said each quote
• Scattergories: A creative-thinking, category-based game
• Houseparty: An app for several virtual games
• Not-So-Newlywed Game (for couples): See which couple knows each other best
• Heads Up (Apple or Android): Guess the word or phrase and see which couple gets the most right.
• Charades: Act out words and phrases. Use the board game version or the app.
• Pictionary: Use a piece of paper or the Zoom whiteboard to draw. Use the board game version or an app to get words or phrases.

• Balance your group with light-hearted spontaneity as well as intentionality and planning.
• Consider your group's capacity. It's not great to go from one homework-heavy study to the next. Balance studies with more preparation time (especially those that require homework like books) with those that allow group members to show up with little to no preparation.
• Start new groups with studies that help you get to know one another (building trust and community) and then move to studies that help you grow spiritually (application/accountability).
• Begin groups focusing on topics of interest, but be sure to cover a range of topics. Also, be sure to focus on Scripture during your time together.
• A great question to ask yourself: Spiritually, where are my group members now, and what might be their best next steps?

Our new database is AMAZING! One of the features we are thrilled about is the ability for Small Group Facilitators to communicate easily with their group, update a calendar for new people to see, and so much more! Check out the short tutorial below.