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Burning Question:

How do you handle group members who don't contribute because they feel that others in the group are more spiritual?

Let them know that everyone is always ignorant in some areas and gifted in others. This is the value of the body of Christ. If you are a leader, that doesn't mean you are an expert. If you are a member, that doesn't mean you don't have anything to contribute. It means that God will use people with other gifts to accentuate the purpose and the mission statement of the group.

It might also be helpful to develop team roles for each member of the group. Group members assist the group in whatever area they are interested or have expertise in.

We recommend five primary roles for every small group, and it's best if more than one person shares each position.

Here are the teams:

• Fellowship Team—hosts social events or group activities)
• Discipleship Team—ensures every person in the group has a simple plan and spiritual partner
• Ministry Team—ensures that each person finds a group role or a purpose team responsibility)
• Evangelism Team—coordinates the group prayer and praise list of non-Christian friends and family members
• Worship Team—maintains the weekly group prayer and praise list or journal, or lead a brief worship time using the worship songs on the companion DVD to each Lifetogether curriculum

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