Small Group Vision Camp

Small Group Leaders Camp. A pastor told me that the greatest need in the Church today is trained Bible Study leaders. No one in the church has the opportunity to take a week or even a weekend to "get trained". Then I thought, We (InterVarsity) train 200 leaders a year in how to lead a Small Group Bible Study. Then we give them the practical experience of actually leading. What a gift to the church.

I just left our 1st session for 2006. There was a great opportunity to look at Mark 6 - Jesus Feeding the 5,000+. As well as an overview of what a SG is. Kevin helped us greatly with a visual image of a SG. There was a table on stage (actually 1/2 On & 1/2 Off stage) with 4 chairs around it. He picked up the 1st chair and said: "This chair, is for the baby Christians who should come to your SG, you will want to keep them. So don't make fun of them if they ask a seemingly dumb question like "How did John write the Gospel if the Governor had him beheaded?". Help them, love them, show them!" Then he picked up the 2nd chair and said: "This chair, is for the people who think theologically, don't let them answer every question, but allow them to help the rest of us understand it a little better. This 3rd Chair, I would like to paint black, so that we would always be aware of it. This chair is for the Non-Christian who should feel welcome and invited to your SG table. Make sure there is room at your table for the Non-Christian. In fact I would say it's not a SG if there is not a non-Christian there." Then he took the 4th chair, held it high and told us it was the Empty Chair. "There should always be an empty chair at your SG table in hopes that in your year you would fill it. Always be inviting, always be looking. Not just in August/September, when it is easy. But be inviting people to your SG in November or February or May. Let there always be an empty chair in your SG."