Build Small Groups Around Shared Interests

Whitney Hopler

Your church probably offers small groups built around Bible studies or prayer. But what about dog training, gardening, or bowling?

At first it might seem like these groups don't have much to do with church. But people who gather to pursue shared interests can build meaningful relationships that can end up drawing them closer to Christ. And many people who wouldn't attend a Bible study or prayer group would be open to participating in a special interest group, where they could discover more about God naturally through the friendships they make there.

Here are some ways your church can build small groups around shared interests:

Adapted from Dog Training, Fly Fishing, & Sharing Christ in the 21st Century: Empowering Your Church to Build Community through Shared Interests, copyright 2002 by Ted Haggard. Published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tn., www.thomasnelson.com, 1-800-251-4000.

Ted Haggard is the senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Co. He founded the church in his basement in 1985, and it's now the largest church in Colorado, with 8,700 members. He serves as an editorial advisor for Ministries Today magazine, and as a board member for Mission America, the National Association of Evangelicals, and Global Harvest Ministries. Ted, his wife Gayle and their five children live in Colorado Springs, Co.

If you could start a small group on any topic, what would it be, and why? Do you participate in a small group? Do you and others in your small group share similar interests? If so, how does sharing experiences you all enjoy help you build bonds with other group members, and how does it help you grow closer to Christ? Visit Crosswalk's forums to discuss this topic by clicking on the link below.

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