We Are All CEOs: 3 Ways to Encourage Your Small Group Leaders

The Power of Encouraging Words

We see in Scripture that David was regularly “strengthened by the Lord.” Some translations say, “He encouraged himself in the Lord,” which means to strengthen or prevail (1 Samuel 30:6). And while I believe that God can give us a new spirit of strength in a way that we cannot, I also believe that He has given us the responsibility to encourage others around us. We want to show them that we are for them. In one sense, all of us are CEOs. We are Chief Encouragement Officers.

How are we building up our Small Group Point People with our words?

Give or take, statistics say for the highest performance, for one to feel at their best and greatest capacity, it takes about six positive comments for every one negative comment in a group or on a team. There is such power in words, and words can have a lasting effect on peoples’ lives. For better or for worse. But, we hope for the better!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up.”

Have you ever walked away from a conversation with someone where you felt so good about yourself, and it was because of a word that they said? Try to recall a time in your life where this has happened. It might have been refreshing or uplifting. Maybe it was challenging. Just as God speaks to us in our lives through words, so too are we called to give others words. Words that have a positive domino effect. Simple as it may be- a thank you, a prayer, or a commissioning. God spoke words and has given us the capacity to also speak words that can build up one another.

There are three things that I have found to be the most strengthening and encouraging for my Small Group Point People:

  1. Speak Over Them– Take a step back and ask yourself, “What do I want to see in this/these groups?” Then, begin to pray over the small group with specific words. Silently or out loud speak words of life over your groups.
  2. Speak About Them– We have a saying that is a staff value at our our church, “Brag about people behind their backs.” Bragging about your groups is not a bad thing! It encourages other people to want to jump into a group or to grow in their leadership skills so that they too can be equipped to be a Small Group Point Person! People want to be a part of something that is encouraging because encouragement is contagious! Speak highly of your groups and Small Group Point People- it has immense ripple effects.
  3. Speak To Them– In addition to bragging behind peoples’ backs. Tell it to them in person! Make sure they know that you believe in them, and you are speaking highly of them. It is one thing to speak about someone when they aren’t there. It’s another to let them know that something positive was said about them in a previous conversation. It’s an extra boost of confidence! Sometimes we get busy and forget to share an encouraging word, but adding value to peoples’ lives takes intentionality and discernment. Choose your words wisely but also use them freely.

What groups do you need to speak over? Who can you brag about behind their back? Who do you need to encourage and give a word to? 

Author

  • Kiersten Telzerow

    Kiersten Telzerow lives in the Washington, D.C area with her husband, Matt, and their goldendoodle named Luna! Kiersten serves as the Small Group Director at one of the campuses at National Community Church and is a Master of Divinity student at Wesley Seminary through Indiana Wesleyan University. She loves being in community with people and learning about their stories. When Kiersten is not studying, her favorite thing to do is spending time with family and friends, trying new coffees, attending leadership conferences, or reading a new book. She loves all things small groups and believes that we were never meant to exist alone - community is always better!

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Daniel Thomas

Connections Director

423-534-9321

daniel@smallgroupnetwork.com

Daniel serves as Executive Pastor at Community Church of Mountain City, TN.  Daniel and his family are on a mission to establish roots within their community, fight for peace and serve well.  He serves as our Connections Director in laying the groundwork for Circles. He loves great coffee and traveling with his wife Tia and two children, Deklan and Aden

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