I believe the small group experience is critical in creating connection and spiritual movement in one’s life. The typical small group leader will spend a lot of time organizing, preparing and providing a safe comfortable experience for the participants of a small group. The reality is the component that creates the most life change is what you choose to study and experience together. A good choice in curriculum makes all the difference in the world. 

I have done a lot of weddings over the years. I am amazed at how much time and money people will spend on things that they think will make the wedding one to remember. One of the most important elements of a fun and memorable wedding is without doubt the person who performs it. I mean, they say the most, share stories about the couple and bring not just the relational aspect to the ceremony but the spiritual one. Have you ever been to a wedding where the person officiating seems like they met the Bride and Groom that day? Not only that but it feels like they are reading the same script they did at the last wedding they performed. If so, you walk away thinking the ceremony was boring, lacked personal relationship and created NO emotion or excitement in the heart of those who attended. Well, in many ways poor curriculum choice can do the same thing a small group!

There are a lot of myths about curriculum and people are “mything” the point of small groups. Here are three myths I believe to be true when it comes to selecting a curriculum for our small group experience…

Myth #1: Tell Us More vs. Look for More

Many study guides in the Christian market today focus on content or rely on a teacher to help people find truth. People erroneously believe if they hear more, or have more information, they are learning more. Information alone does not change lives. Consider for a moment the person who spends hours scouring books or websites for information about heart disease, but never makes any changes to his or her diet or exercise regimen. It’s not about information.

Discovery is the central means by which learning takes place. God’s word is the source of truth and God’s spirit is guide and revealer of all truth. I encourage you to look for small group curriculum that leads people to discover what God’s word says to us today.

Myth #2: More Questions vs. the Right Questions

Many Christian study guides ask questions that have painfully obvious answers that no self-respecting learner should have to answer. Others are empty yes-or-no questions that require hardly any thought at all. And the worst questions of all are the ones where the writer has a specific answer in mind and is willing to wring every ounce of energy out of the group to get the answer he is looking for.

Rather than write a list of very specific questions that push group members through a rigorous examination of “What does this verse say?” or “What did the writer mean by that?” It’s about having the RIGHT questions, not simply more questions.

Myth #3: What We Know vs. How We Change

The goal of all Bible study is life change. The longest stretch of learning is from the head to the heart. It’s much easier just to keep accumulating information than it is to change our lives.

The Liquid method is designed to push learners toward a point of change. Ultimate personal change is a matter of the heart. As God changes our hearts, our “steps” always head in a different direction.

This is why I love Liquid. It creates emotion, an experience and a way for people to take God’s Word through their life! Many times we are “myhting” the point of small groups. Your curriculum choice is the most important choice you make when leading a small group!

Meet Chris Lagerlof. Chris worked for 17 years as a Pastor and Champion of several ministries (including small groups and evangelism) at Mariners Church in Irvine, CA. His experience, expertise and joy of seeing others “get it” are what motivated Chris to consult, coach and ignite individuals and churches. Chris’s 17 years of experience in executive leadership, evangelism and church growth has helped him develop and refine ideas, strategies and tactics to help individuals at all levels of an organization grow, change and move ahead. Chris is the Lead Strategist at HI-DEF Consulting and Solutions and the COO of Liquid. Chris lives in Irvine, CA with his beautiful wife Kristen and 2 daughters, Tessa and Mandy.

What an experience! Isn’t that what we want people to say when they walk away from our small group?

A couple weeks ago there were numerous emergency vehicle sirens, helicopters circling and street closures near my house. I had to investigate. I saw what appeared to be tragedy and even death. I asked by-standers what happened and they told me it isn’t as bad as it looks, well it looked pretty bad to me, so I got closer to the scene. Well, they were right, it wasn’t bad at all. The high school near my house staged an accident to show students the impact drinking has on driving. Every student from the school came out to this “on the street” assembly to watch as police and fireman simulate a head on collision involving a couple cars, several people and a drunk driver. They didn’t miss a detail! There were passengers, wrecked cars, several emergency vehicles fake blood and a lot of noise and chaos. It was amazing to watch and it all seemed so real. You could tell kids were impacted as you saw them wipe tears in their silence. It was quite the scene and extremely powerful! 

This incredible, well planned and surreal experience made me think of the 90 minutes (if we are lucky) people give our small group each and every week. The visual of what was staged at the local high school and the preparation that went into it caused me to think about the many times we miss an opportunity to change and save lives because we lack preparation, creativity and the ability to give people an experience that does something in them. How often do we settle for the same meeting place, same curriculum, same prayers and same conversation because we have settled and given up our effort to create and experience that matters to people. I believe the most dangerous two words to a small group are comfort and routine, the very things that are bred from a lack of creativity and hard work.

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