LCC Small Groups

Welcome!

Welcome to LCCSmallgroups.com!  It is our desire that this site would be resource and information clearing house for small group leaders at LowCountry Community Church.  We remember what it is like to be a small group leader praying for a resource that you can go to 24/7 when you need help in leading your group.  We hope this can become such a tool for those at LCC and elsewhere.

Here's the deal on what to expect.  We don't have all the good ideas in the world, so if we find a good one somewhere else, we are going to share it with you here.  Every so often we will direct you to resources for leading, including highlighting study resources.  You will also find leadership tips and training related to becoming a more effective leader.  And we hope to encourage you personally with the truth of scripture so that you become more like Christ.

We can do this together!

Eager For Unity

Living in Biblical community would be easier if I could do it alone.  It is other people that make it hard.  Other people have needs, wants, desires and opinions that sometimes get in my way.  But I guess that is possibly the way that they feel about me! 

The Apostle Paul understood this when he wrote Ephesians 4:1-6 as an encouragement for us to seek to maintain the unity of the Holy Spirit through peace.  We have been called by God to live with each other in humility and patience, bearing each others faults and hang ups.  Maintaining this unity should be something that we as the church should desire and be eager to preserve.

So what does this mean in small group life?  Well, this does not mean that we all will always agree or have the same perspective on issues.  We don’t have to completely agree on End Times doctrine or what translation of the Bible is better.  We do however need to always remember that we have one God and Father who saves us all through the precious blood of Christ.  When we consider others needs (Phil. 2:3) we acknowledge the grace of God in our lives and show the world that He is real.  This should lead us to resolve our problems and work toward solutions that bring glory to God. 

It is God’s plan to use His people, the church, to make known throughout the world the peace that comes from knowing Christ.  It is a hollow cry to declare the peace of Christ to an anxious world while being in conflict with our brothers and sisters.  Our enemy knows this and seeks to create division and strife.  Don’t fall for it!  Remember that you have been called to live together in humility, gentleness and patience always eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit.

Upcoming Training Events

Bluffton Leadership Training - This Tuesday, October 27 from 7-8:30 p.m.  Pastor Jeff will continue to talk about the leadership and direction of LowCountry Community Church.  All Small Group Leaders are encouraged to attend.  Childcare is available, please email Mark Howard here if you need childcare.

HIlton Head Leadership Training - This Thursday, October 29 from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.  Pastor Brian will be explaining the new direction for our Small Group Ministry.  This is required training for all Hilton Head Small Group leaders.  Please plan to attend, if you cannot make this please email Pastor Brian here.

Bluffton Small Group Leaders Huddle - Sunday, November 8, 8:30 (During 1st service).  All Bluffton Small Group leaders please plan to attend.  This will be our monthly training huddle for November.  If you are unable to attend please email Pastor Brian here.

I Can't Learn!

"I can't learn this Bible stuff - I need someone to explain it to me!"

Have you ever heard this, or a similar, refrain from a member of your small group or someone you know?  We struggle to lead people like this because often they seem so unwilling to lead themselves.  Somehow along the way in their spiritual walk they have come to believe that they need someone else to teach them what God wants them to know.  The idea of actually learning and teaching themselves seems impossible. 

Scripture teaches otherwise.  As I was reading 1 John this truth was brought back to me clearly in 1 John 2:20,27, which teaches us that we have someone far better than any human teacher at our disposal.  We have the anointing of the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit lives within us.  The very author of Scripture (2 Peter 1:21) is ready and able to teach us if we are willing to hear and obey. 

Every believer has same power to read and learn from the Bible.  Yes, there are those who are gifted Bible teachers who make things clearer for us.  But there is no reason for a Christian to say they can’t learn.  Christ himself has given us the very power to learn and probably expects that we will embrace this great gift with enthusiasm.

I wanted to share this with Small Group leaders who are feeling the burden of teaching their group.  Be responsible and prepare yourself; be a workman approved by God (2 Timothy 2:15).  But most of all, in your group, seek to cultivate an atmosphere where people can be taught by the indwelling Holy Spirit and life change can occur.  In coming posts we will talk more about some keys to creating such an atmosphere.

The Role of the Shepherd

I was recently hiking in the Shining Rock Wilderness in the North Carolina Mountains.  Out there the trails are not marked, so regularly you need to check your map, compass or GPS device to see if you are still on the right path.  Often there are forks and unmarked paths that can take you off track and you will miss your goal entirely.  I was reminded of this when I was reading through 1 Peter this past week.  Sometimes as shepherds of God's people (Pastors, Elders and Small Group Leaders) we can get off course.  1 Peter 5:1-4 is like the trusty map and compass to keep those who shepherd on track.  In order to see if we are still on track there are three questions every shepherd should regularly ask themselves.

1. “Am I willing?”  Peter tells us that God’s leaders should give oversight and direction to the flock because they are willing.  Spiritual leadership will always struggle if it is done out of obligation. 

2. “Am I eager to serve?”  When you think of the people you lead do you think about how you can serve them?  Or do you think about what they can do for you?  With Christ as our model servant leadership is a must.

3. “Am I modeling Christ to those who follow me?”  Are your lifestyle, speech, and actions consistent with the teachings of Christ?  Your people are watching; show them what it looks like to truly follow Christ.  The role of a shepherd is to be a willing example of a servant to those you lead.