Circles Squares | small group conversation-participation pads

One way to get everyone in your group to interact and fully participate in the small group is to create a small group "Circle-Square".  The circle square is a tear-off pad of questions and directives which serve to guide small group conversations and interactions.  The host begins with the first tear-off question or directive which is often a welcome statement that they read out loud.  This page will also often include some sort of ground-rules statement for how the group members should behave and relate during the gathering.  The first level pages might end with a fun directive such as... "Pass the circle-square pad to someone who played in their school band."  Once the next person receives the pad in hand they will tear-off the page and read the statement, question or command found on the back.  With just a bit of creativity and planning your circle square tear-off pad will move your group from ice-breaker to all-in conversations where everyone present has the opportunity to share and relate.  Below are steps to creating your own "Circle-Square" pad for your next small group gathering.

1.  Create around 20 "palm-sized" paper squares with your group name or study title on the front of each square. The front of each sheet should also include the directive to "Tear off this sheet and read the back to continue!"

2. Using the back sides of each paper, create a series of "read aloud" directives, and questions that the group or person holding the pad can answer or comment on.

3. Be sure to include a "pass the square" directive at the bottom of each back page to ensure that the square (and therefore the conversation) keeps moving.

4. The last page of the the circle-square should be a thank you for coming - see you next week group closer statement.

Right Now Media: What it is and why we use it!

As a pastor, I know it is my job to equip and empower people to do the work of the ministry (Ephesians 4:12).  It's up to me to train and resource people to serve one another.  I am always excited when I can give small group leaders a resource that will really help them.  Rightnow Media is a resource that I am thrilled to offer my leaders (and small group attenders)!

RightNow Media is a video library for the church. It's essentially the "Netflix of Video Bible Studies" because users (leaders and even church attenders) can have instant access to thousands of videos.  RightNow Media has special "channels" for kids, youth, parents, married couples and more. You can view these videos from your phone, tablet or computer. And you can also view them in a group setting through a TV or projector.
 

On RightNow Media you will find there are over 2,000 videos from well known teachers. If you are an attender or small group leader of First Assembly Community Ministries, please e-mail me and I will make sure our Life Group office processes your request to share in this FREE resource!  You will receive an official "invitation email" to establish your point of access to this incredible resource.  Your invitation will come to your email.  Simply click on the link, put in your name and a password.  From there you should be set to begin viewing!

Take some time to view the channels and explore the videos and studies that are available to you.  I'm sure it won't take you long to find a video series that you would enjoy sharing with a Life Group!