Need more people in your small group? Not sure where to find them? Surely, not everyone's already in a group in your church? Where are they hiding? How can you find them? Don't worry, sometimes Christians hide, and that's ok, but we don't want them to stay hidden. Other times, they're looking for you too. Here are 5 places you can find new people to invite to your group.
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Don't know anyone or where to find people to invite? Here are five places (actually, more) you can find people to invite.
Way #1 - Sunday Service
Before the service, after the service, in between services (if you have multiple services), coffee bar, Kids/Preschool check-in areas, student ministry entrance area, or sit in the same seating section for the worship service. Most are creatures of habit. Church folks are quite ritualistic about their seats. They traditionally will go back to the same seat or section out of familiarity. You will likely find them there the next week and can get to know them, talk to them, and invite them to your group.
Way #2 - Your Neighborhood
Next door, down the street, or across the way, people who don't attend church and don't belong to a group are likely living in your neighborhood. Every day you may cross paths with your neighbors for various organic reasons. Invite them to your small group. If you think they'll feel uncomfortable in a bible study setting, host a casual social gathering with your group they can attend first. If your small group meets in your home, as a courtesy, you can write up a letter explaining extra cars will be parked out front of your home every _____ day your group gathers and that they are invited to join your group.
Way #3 - Your Workplace
Where do you spend most of your time in life . . . . ? Sleeping . . . Ok, maybe not everyone sleeps as much as some. Your workplace is where you spend the most time of your week. Depending upon your occupation, you may rub shoulders with dozens of people for hours every day, five days a week. Opportunities to ask meaningful questions, develop relationships, and cultivate friendships build bridges to invite coworkers to your small group. Don't overlook this opportune place to invite coworkers. They need God, and God's people to discuss God's Word so they may be filled with God's Spirit.
Way #4 - Social Media
How often do you open your social media apps? How many friends, followers, or connections do you have? A lot? Then tell them about your small group. Social media has proven to be an amazing place to find new group members. Snap a picture of your small group, post it, and send an invitation. Tell them when and why you are meeting. Share your favorite thing about your small group. Ask your group members to hit the share button. Also, you can share the post on local community or neighborhood groups. Hundreds and thousands of people scroll social media newsfeeds. Give them one that could change their life forever.
Way #5 - Your Pastor
You know someone who knows a lot of people who aren't in a small group yet. Guess who it is . . . . Your Pastor! Easily overlooked and underestimated, your pastor knows people who attend or belong to your local church and aren't in a small group. When you ask your pastor, it can be a bit overwhelming for him. So, how do you ask the best way? First, ask for names of people your pastor knows who aren't in a group. If that proves unsuccessful or there's a delay, ask if the church office can run a report of all church members who don't belong to or attend a small group. You can narrow it down to a stage of life range, age, parents of kids/teens/empty nesters, geographical location (city or zip code), etc. Make the ask, and you'll be amazed at how many people you can find to invite!
AUTHOR
Adam Erlichman
Executive Director and Author at Build Groups. Former Discipleship Pastor at The Cross Church and Life Groups/Discipleship Pastor at Midway Church in Dallas, TX. Author of the 2-time best-selling series "How We Grow." Now exclusively available for purchase on Amazon.
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