Beginning a BL Circle

Mapping Your Strategy

Lead a BL Circle? Me?

Think about how you came to this point in your life where you are considering leading a small group. Think of all the individuals who have guided you along your journey as a leader. They may be your parents, teachers, friends, youth organizations mentors, civic organizations leaders, etc. 

Leading a small group gives you the opportunity to invest — and perhaps make the same sort of impact — in someone else’s life!

 Why Small Groups?

 Large-group training aren’t designed for personal interaction, and it can be difficult to develop close personal relationships if that is your only connection to the Bridging Leadership community. That’s why small groups can be so valuable.

 Small groups also allow learners to learn and practice leadership skills in a safe space with each other before they deploy these techniques in their real-world environments. 

Who Can Lead a BL Circle?

 We often think it takes a certain type of person to be a great teacher or dynamic leader, but effective BL Circle leadership is determined largely by your availability and willingness to invest in the growth of others. 

You do not need to be a BL expert to lead a BL Circle. As a BL Circle Leader, you will mostly be facilitating learning by guiding the group through discussion guides. “But what if they ask me a question and I don’t know the answer?” When (not if) that happens, simply reply that you don’t know but that you can look it up or ask somebody who does.

 Your honesty about the fact that you don’t know everything encourages vulnerability and communicates to others that they don’t have to have all the answers to be BL practitioners and community leaders. 

Characteristics of BL Circle Leaders

BL Circle Leadership requires basic facilitation skills. But perfection is not a requirement. If it were, none of us could lead a BL Circle. Growing into leadership maturity is a continual process.

 The following attitudes will help keep you in check as a BL Circle leader. BL Circle Leaders:

• Can give and receive honest feedback. 

• Serve others rather than only being served.

• Follow the leadership of others.

• Can listen with an open mind and heart.  

• Keep their word.

Do you have these characteristics? What areas do you need to grow in? If you aren’t sure, ask a trusted friend who knows you well— and who will be honest and kind with you — where you are in each of these areas.

 Preparing Yourself for Leadership

Remember, the goal is not the small group in and of itself. The ultimate objective is to grow BL practitioners who will, in turn, grow other BL practitioners.  

Key Considerations for Effective Small Groups

Focus on Meeting the Needs of People

Many small group leaders fail to recognize that the purpose of meeting together is not to simply exchange information. The goal is to learn how to be effective changemakers in our communities and institutions.  

As you get together in your group, look for things that will alert you to their individual needs so you will be able to better serve them. See “How to Have a Small Group With Purpose” for more on assessing and meeting your group members’ needs.

 Questions to Help You Determine Your Group’s Needs

Use the following questions to help you determine what you will cover during your small group meetings:

1. What strengths do they have? Where do they need growth? What do they not understand?

2. What principles or topics would benefit them most at this stage in their walk as emerging Bridging Leaders? 

3. What are their most important needs? Do they comprehend the foundations of Bridging Leadership?  

Size Range for an Effective Small Group

A small group needs to have at least four and 10 people maximum, including the BL Circle Leaders. But when does a small group become too large? The answer to that question depends on how well you can meet these important goals:

• Everyone can participate.

• Learning takes place through dialogue.

• People listen and help each other.

Usually, this becomes difficult when a group has 10 or more people.

 Welcoming Others

You’ll most likely have acquaintances in your group, but it’s important to invite and welcome people who don’t yet have a relationship with you but who are interested in developing their skills as changemakers or Bridging Leaders. 

See how they can be an important part of your small group, and how you can create an environment where anyone can come and feel safe to explore ideas on leadership. 

Details, Details, Details

Location

Location is key to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment.

 If you want to meet in person, make sure each member of the group feels comfortable with that and that you find a location with adequate space to socially distance.

 Think about whom you want to invite and what location would be best for them. Look for a location close to most of the group members that is easy for people to find and has access to public transportation.  

Since the beginning of the pandemic last year, many small groups have turned to virtual meeting spaces for meetings. Platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet make this possible for free. Check out these suggestions of virtual icebreakers for a fun way to kick off your next small group meeting.

Time

In general, aim to meet for at least one hour but no more than two. Honor your time commitments, especially your commitment to an end time. People have other things to do, and you should avoid (at all costs) becoming the “on-and-on-and-on” group.

 You can use your phone timer throughout the meeting to make sure you’re on track.

Inviting People to the First Meeting

First impressions are critical. When people walk into a small group setting for the first time, they often ask three questions (usually subconsciously):

• Do I like these people?

• Do these people like me?

• Do I like what this group is about?

Work hard to give people a positive experience. You can’t please everyone, but try to show warmth, friendliness, and hospitality.

If you are inviting people you don’t personally know (like from a sign-up sheet), try to personally meet and invite them. If you won’t naturally see them, you can call or text them instead. Be sure to introduce yourself and explain how you got their names and numbers.

Time to Prepare

The Importance of Planning

Don’t wing your small group meetings. Leaders who don’t plan are ultimately more stressed and can hinder the group’s growth. 

Time to Prepare

The Importance of Planning

Don’t wing your small group meetings. Leaders who don’t plan are ultimately more stressed and can hinder the group’s growth. 

Choosing Your Content

For new small groups, check the BL Circle website for introductory modules.  Different modules will match the level and nature of your group.

Preparing Everything Else

Sometimes we think, “I’ve prepared the learning activity, I’m ready to go.” Yet there is more to leading a successful small group than what you study. Your job as the leader is to cultivate an environment with the crucial elements of a BL Circle, where relationships will grow between you and the group members.

Icebreakers

Icebreakers can help the group open up, build trust and get in the mood for a deeper discussion.

Choose one that will lead you into your discussion in that day’s study or one that’s just fun. Just make sure it will help the members of the group to get to know one another. Never underestimate the value of this part of the study.

Prayer

Prayer is optional and is a common custom in some countries. Do not let prayer spark debate or division within the group. This is not a prayer group. Prayer should not become a barrier that keeps people out.

Be sensitive to where people are. Lead by example and invite people to pray in short sentences if they want to. Don’t ever force anyone to pray.

If you sense any tension related to starting with an opening prayer, it is better to not start with a prayer.

Snacks

Snacks are a nice addition to a BL Circle meeting. But don’t let them prevent you from thoroughly preparing your content! If preparing snacks is a burden for you, buy them, skip them or, better yet, involve others in the group in the responsibility!

Countdown to Kickoff

One Week or a Few Days Before the First Meeting

1. Make sure you have contacted all group members and that they know when, where and at what time the group is, as well as a little of what they can expect from the group.

2. Prepare the content of your lesson and go through it yourself. Become familiar with the content. Read “How to Prepare an Effective BL Circle meeting” to learn more.

3. Prepare to lead or guide the lesson. It is one thing to study the lesson yourself; it is another thing to lead it. Read “How to Guide a Meaningful Group Discussion” for tips on leading the discussion part of your small group. 

Two Days Before Your Small Group

1. Contact group members to remind them of the time and place. Be sure to let them know you are glad they are coming. Make sure they have your phone number.

2. Plan a good icebreaker to help group members start building relationships. An icebreaker is something that gets each group member talking and sharing early on. Choose one that works for any number of people. Check out some ideas for icebreakers.

3. Plan the specifics for your meeting. You have a limited amount of time to build relationships and cover content. What portion of the time do you want to spend on each aspect? Different levels of maturity among members will dictate different amounts of time for each part, and the balance of time will likely be different as the group grows and its members get to know one another.

4. Pick up some refreshments. The first few weeks can be awkward as people get to know one another. There is nothing like a good snack to get people comfortable, loosened up, and talking. Make it easy on yourself and buy something prepared.

Thirty Minutes Before Your Small Group

1. Be there early to review the lesson. 

2. Turn your phone to vibrate to reduce the distractions (but keep it on in case someone gets lost and tries to call you).

3. Make sure there are plenty of comfortable seats.

4. Set out snacks.

5. Send out last minute reminder texts to people.
    

Conducting Your First Meeting

Begin by introducing people to one another. Don’t delay. Start with your icebreaker and then transition into your study. Be sure to end promptly.

In the first meeting, focus on building relationships. If the people in the group don’t know each other, it’s important that they learn more about each other. Read “How to Build Community in Your Small Group” for ideas on how to continue to build community over time.

Read “Your First Group Meeting” for more tips.

After the First Meeting

1. Call the group members and ask them how things are going. Ask them specifics about the things they shared in the group.

2. Serve them. If someone in the group expressed a need, try to help him/her. 

3. Do something fun. Meet people for lunch, start a chat conversation with them on your phone. 

4. Evaluate how it went and make any necessary changes before the next week.
    

Evaluate Your Meeting

1. Did everyone show up?

   • Did people who had expressed interest but didn’t show up contact you before or after the meeting to tell you why?

   • Is there anything you can do to help more people come in the future?

   • If people forgot, you could call them an hour before.

   • If the time/place isn’t convenient for multiple people who are interested, could you change it? 

2. Were you prepared? Did you feel confident and at ease?

3. Were you prepared for everyone who came?

4. Did you create a warm atmosphere? Did people seem comfortable? (Some people may feel awkward regardless of how welcoming you are, but if most people seemed relaxed and open, that’s a good indication you created a good environment).

5. What other adjustments do you need to make?
    

Plan the Next Few Meetings

Icebreakers

Choose an icebreaker for each meeting. Choose icebreakers that will work for both small and large groups. Choose activities that will help people get to know each other but won’t feel intrusive for people who may not feel comfortable opening up right away.

Content

You want your content to have continuity, but you also want each lesson to be able to stand alone if someone misses a meeting or someone new comes. Don’t discourage your group members by making them feel lost if they didn’t make a previous meeting.

At the same time, having a theme or a topic for several weeks in a row can help the group feel more consistent. One idea is to stick to the fundamentals of the Christian faith, which will be accessible to everyone.

One Final Thought

Remember that the goal of leading a small group is helping others grow as leaders.  

It’s easy to meet and simply discuss information with others, but that’s not the goal. Be ready for people to share the messy parts of their lives as well as the polished parts. This is the true hard work of leading a small group, but it is the most rewarding part as well.

Adapted from: 

http://communitylearningpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Ganz-Marrakesh-training-guide-.pdf

https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/help-others-grow/leading-small-groups/launching-and-leading-a-small-group.html