In my early years of serving as a small groups pastor I often would talk to a person interested in joining a small group, refer him to the small group facilitator, then would find out that no one showed up for the group. Thus, I developed these ten tips because several of our groups had ten people sign up to be part of a group, then when the group was ready to start only two people showed up the first night.
CONNECT AND MEET IN PERSON AT CHURCH
Going to the home of someone you have never met is scary and intimidating for a lot of people.
The Scenario for the New Person in Your Group
This is what a person is going through when he expresses interest in a small group. He is going to someone’s house that he has never been to, in order to meet a facilitator that he does not know, to share his life with a group of people he has never met, and to do a study which he knows nothing about. It is no wonder that some people express interest in a small group yet never actually show up.
Meet and Help Them Connect with You
8Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.. ~ 1 Peter 4:8-9
If needed, you can ask the small groups pastor or his assistant for help locating the person that wants to join your group. Ask which service the person normally attends and go to that service and try to connect and meet in person. That personal face-to-face connection will greatly increase the chance that a person will show up for your group.
So it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. ~ Romans 12:5
