Wednesday in the Word

what the Bible means and how we know

Examples

25 Most Popular Icebreakers

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25 Most Popular Icebreakers | WednesdayintheWord.com

Over my years as Women’s Ministry Director, I collected a lot of ice breakers. After all you can’t use the same 4 ice breakers at the same ministry events year after year. But when ones are best? Knowyourteam.com did the research and they say these are the 25 most popular.

  1. What was your first job?
  2. Have you ever met anyone famous?
  3. What are you reading right now?
  4. If you could pick up a new skill in an instant what would it be?
  5. Who’s someone you really admire?
  6. Seen any good movies lately you’d recommend?
  7. What is your favorite quote?
  8. Have you been pleasantly surprised by anything lately?
  9. What was your favorite band 10 years ago?
  10. What’s your earliest memory?
  11. Have you been anywhere recently for the first time?
  12. What’s your favorite family tradition?
  13. Who had the most influence on you growing up?
  14. What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
  15. What’s something you want to do in the next year that you’ve never done before?
  16. Have you seen anything lately that made you smile?
  17. What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited?
  18. Have you had your 15 minutes of fame yet?
  19. What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard?
  20. How do you like your eggs?
  21. Do you have a favorite charity you wish more people knew about?
  22. Do you have any phobias you’d like to break?
  23. Have you returned anything you’ve purchased recently? Why?
  24. Do you collect anything?
  25. What’s your favorite breakfast cereal?

Which one is your favorite?

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Leader Evaluation Sample

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Sample Leader Evaluation | WednesdayintheWord.com

When you recruit feedback from your students at the end of a Bible study year, don’t forget to solicit feedback from your leaders.   If you are blessed to have dedicated leadership returning year after year, you may want to keep it short. 

Here’s an example I’ve used that’s been revised over 30 years of ministry.  This example survey is geared to a Bible study with a large group, small groups and homework. Customize it to fit your programs.

Sample Leader Evaluation

General instructions: Please “speak the truth in love” so that we may continue learning how to serve God and you better.  Use the back if you need more space.

How was your Small Group this year? (do not rate yourself, rate the group)
Mix of ages: _rewarding _positive _neutral _awkward _a disaster
Discussion:  _great _helpful _average _not helpful _confusing
Participation: _everyone _most _half _a few _very few/none
Attendance:  _very consistent _regular _average _irregular _very inconsistent

Comments:

The best thing about my small group was:
Comments:
If you could change anything about small groups, what would you change? Why?
Comments:
How could we improve our leadership meetings?
Comments
Training on the following topics would be helpful:
Comments:
Would you find a leaders retreat helpful? Why or why not?
Comments:
How could we help you improve your leadership skills?
Comments:
Do you plan to lead a small group next year?
yes       no        not sure  Why?

Please email me and let me know how this worked for you or ways you changed and improved it.

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Example First Day Sign up forms

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Example Form: First Day Sign Up - Small Group Tools | WednesdayintheWord.com

The first day of Bible study typically requires a lot of teamwork and cooperation. You probably need leaders to sign up for both refreshments and tasks. Here’s two example sign up forms.

First Day Refreshment Sign up

Fruit – grapes, strawberries, melon, etc.
NameEmailPhone
Name Email Phone
Name Email Phone
Breakfast bread or muffins
Name Email Phone
Name Email Phone
Name Email Phone
Protein (eggs, ham biscuits, etc)
Name Email Phone
Name Email Phone
Name Email Phone
Juice – orange, apple, cranberry
Name Email Phone
Name Email Phone
Name Email Phone

First Day Duties Signup

Registration Table:NameName
Entrance Greeters: Name Name
Nursery Greeters: Name Name
Decorations & Setup Name Name
Clean up Name Name
Photographer Name Name
Parking & SignsNameName
Food & Coffeeseparatesign up

Please email me and let me know how this worked for you or ways you changed and improved it.

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Small Group Welcome Survey Example

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Small Group Welcome Survey Example | WednesdayintheWord.com

Learning some basic information when new small groups start can save misunderstanding later.  Asking participants to answer a few basic questions the first day can help leaders structure the time to better meet the needs of a group.  Here’s an example “Small Group Welcome” survey.

Welcome to Small Group!

Please answer the following questions as you feel comfortable.  This is just a tool to help us get to know you better and to help structure our small group time.
Name: ____________________________________________________________

  1. Why did you come to bible study this year?
  2. If you are returning to our small group, do you have any suggestions for improvements or things that you like a lot?
  3. Have you been in a small group before?  If so, what did you like or dislike about it?
  4. Do you feel comfortable praying out loud in a small group setting?
  5. What is the best way to contact you?
  6. Do you prefer coffee or tea?
  7. During small group time, would you prefer more fellowship, more Bible study discussion, more prayer or a balance?
  8. Do you attend a church?  If so, which one?
  9. Are you a believer? If so, how long?
  10. If you know what your are, please share your spiritual gifts.
  11. Would you like to meet with your small group leaders(s) 1-1 outside of Bible study time?
  12. Is there anything you’d like us to know about you?

Please email me and let me know how this worked for you or ways you changed and improved it.

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Small Group Ground Rules Sample

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Small Group Ground Rules | WednesdayintheWord.com

When starting new small groups, it’s helpful to establish expectations up front with a clear set of ground rules.  Here’s a sample we’ve developed over 25 years of ministry.

Sample Group Ground rules

Each group will stay together for the course to allow for continuity and deepening relationships.  If, however, you should wish to change groups for any reason, please ask any leader.

Confidentiality: What is said in the group stays in the group unless it is determined that a person is in danger of hurting herself or someone else. Nothing said in the group should be discussed outside the group without the permission of those involved.

Respect: We do not advise, analyze or “fix” others. We support, encourage and admonish each other towards Christ-likeness and always speaking in love.

Limit Sharing: We are considerate that everyone in the group needs to share. We will be sensitive to limit our discussion to avoid dominating group discussion times.

Regular Attendance: We will make a commitment to our group to attend regularly, to be on time and end on time.

Listen:  When someone is talking, she has the floor. Everyone else will actively listen.

Be prepared: We will come ready to fully participate in our group.

Conflict Resolution:  As sisters in Christ, we will guard against offending one another. If someone offends us, we will work it out directly with her. Whenever relationships are involved, there will be conflict. We will handle the conflict biblically according to the guidelines of Matthew 18.

Questions that can help your group become a community:

  1. How do we want this group to impact our lives?
  2. What commitment will it take from each of us to make that impact?
  3. Are we willing to make these commitments to each other?

Please email me and let me know how these worked for you or ways you changed and improved them.

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Ministry Preparation Checklist

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Ministry Preparation Checklist | WednesdayintheWord.com

July is the time to start preparing for your fall Bible study.  Are you overwhelmed by the details or don’t know where to start?  Assuming your study starts in September, here’s my summer ministry preparation checklist.

July Tasks

  • Finalize dates for study.
  • Finalize dates for leaders meetings. (We typically meet the 2 Wednesdays before the start).
  • Confirm dates with your building or location.
  • Confirm dates with your teacher(s).
  • Begin advertising for childcare workers.
  • Send “mark your calendar” emails to past attenders.
  • Update your website with fall information.
  • Recruit your team, if you haven’t already done so.  (I like to do this is March).
  • Finalize your curriculum with your teacher(s) if you haven’t already done so.  (I like to do this in April or May.)
  • Update your registration form.

August Tasks

  • Start registration.
  • Update your website with registration links.
  • Send email to past attenders with the registration link.
  • Contact your church about announcements in the bulletin.
  • Post registration information to your Facebook group or other social media groups.
  • Finalize your homework/study guide, so it’s ready for your leaders meetings. (This may include ordering books or printing what your teacher(s) produced.)
  • Buy supplies for the study.  For example, name tag badges, name tag inserts, sharpies & pens for name tags and registration, assorted teas, coffee, sugar, creamer, etc.
  • Check with your location about keys, room use, kitchen/nurseries policies, and any parking or building policies.
  • Prepare for leaders meetings.

 Leaders Meetings/Orientation

Questions to help you plan:

  1. What are my leaders needs? (spiritual, emotional, informational, practical)?
  2. How can I meet those needs during our leader time?
  3. How can we pray for them both inside and outside of leader time?
  4. What do they need to do their jobs well and how can I equip them?

Example leaders meeting agenda:

  1. Introduce yourselves and get to know each other (this can take 1/2 of 1 meeting).
  2. Review building policies for your location (keys, parking, prohibited food, set up/clean up, equipment, supply storage, etc.)
  3. Hand out any forms (see below) and make sure leaders understand how to use them.
  4. Sign up for duties and refreshments for first day.
  5. Discuss any policy issues (childcare, format, announcements, group guidelines, etc.) as needed
  6. Plan for the opening day (registration, greeters, food, decorations, signs, etc).
  7. Learn how to use/set up sound equipment.
  8. Plan for small groups.
  9. Pray for the study.

Forms you may need:

Sample Opening Day Format:

9:15-10:00 – Registration & Food
10:00-10:30 – Welcome and ice breakers
10:30-11:15 – Lecture
11:15-11:30 – Closing announcements
Jobs to fill:  registration, greeters, set up/clean up, decorations

Sample Normal Day Format:

9:00-9:15 – Coffee & nursery check in
9:15-9:30 – Welcome and ice breakers
9:30-10:15 – Large Group lecture
10:15-10:30 – Break
11:30-11:30 – Small Groups
Jobs to fill:  greeters, set up/clean up

Please email me and let me know how this worked for you or ways you changed and improved it.

More resources for Ministry Leaders

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Women’s Ministry Evaluation Sample

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Ministry Evaluation Sample | WednesdayintheWord.com
It’s always helpful to get feedback from your students at the end of a Bible study year.  But evaluations can be a problem.  If they are too short, your leaders don’t gain any useful information.  If they are too long, few students will not fill them out.

Here’s an example we’ve used at Wednesday in the Word that seems to find the right balance.  In prints to 1 page front and back.   My online survey tool estimates that it takes 2 minutes to complete.

This example survey is geared to a Bible study with a large group, small groups and homework.  You can customize it to fit your programs.

Sample Evaluation

Please “speak the truth in love” so that we may continue learning how to serve God and you better. Return to your small group leader or to the registration table.

Please rate the following:

Homework

Content:  _too hard   _a bit hard   _just right  _a bit easy _ too easy
Length: _too much   _a bit long  _just right  _a bit short  _too short
As basis for discussion:  _great  _helpful  _average _not helpful  _confusing
Finished homework:  _every week  _most _half _sometimes _very few
Please record your overall reactions to the homework (10 = excellent; 1 = poor)
10         9          8          7          6          5          4          3          2          1

Small Group

Atmosphere:  _too formal   _a bit formal  _just right  _a bit casual _ too casual
Length:  _too short   _a bit short  _just right  _a bit long  _too long
Experience: _rewarding  _positive  _neutral  _awkward  _a disaster
Please record your overall reactions to small group time (10 = excellent; 1 = poor)
10         9          8          7          6          5          4          3          2          1

Large Group

Theoretical: _too advanced _a bit advanced   balanced _a bit basic _too basic
Practical: _too advanced _a bit advanced   balanced _a bit basic _too basic
Overall content: _too advanced _a bit advanced   balanced _a bit basic _too basic
Please record your overall reactions to the large group lecture (10 = excellent; 1 = poor)
10         9          8          7          6          5          4          3          2          1

What would you like to study next year? check your preferences:

_____ Old Testament or _____New Testament
_____ 1 study all year or _____ new study in Winter
_____ study 1 book or _____ topical study
Comments:

What did you enjoy most about Bible study?
Comments:

If you could change anything about Bible study, what would you change? Why?
Comments:

Additional Thoughts?
Comments:

Are you interested in helping with Bible study next year (Check all)

_Morning Coffee Setup ___Ending Cleanup ____Equipment setup
_Greeting & Outreach ___ Other Social Event(s)________________________
_Leader Training Other:_________________
If yes to any of these, please provide your
Name ____________________________Phone _____________Email _________________

Please email me and let me know how this worked for you or ways you changed and improved it.

More resources for Ministry Leaders

Photo by Angelina Litvin on Unsplash

Basic Retreat Planning

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Basic Retreat Planning | WednesdayintheWord.com

Church women’s retreats offer one of the best opportunities of the church for women to step away from their daily responsibilities, rest and connect with other women in the church and spend some concentrated time learning more about the Lord.  While retreats require a lot of planning, they are worth it in the long run.   Retreat planning requires managing a lot of details and forming a committee to spread out the work load makes it much easier.

Getting Started

Begin by coordinating 3 core elements of your retreat: theme, speaker and location.

You can pick a theme and then find a speaker(s) who can teach within that theme.  Or you can start with the particular teacher and work with her to develop a theme that fits the needs of your group.

Theme

When picking a theme, brainstorm with your committee for ideas that women who are likely to attend need or want to hear.  To spark an idea for a theme, consider basic questions like:

  • What challenges is our group currently facing (marriage, parenting, graduating, singleness, service, evangelism, outreach, etc)?
  • Is your group primarily in need of challenge? Or refreshment? Or fellowship?
  • What themes have your Sunday sermons been focusing on and how can you compliment them?
  • Do you want an in-depth look at one issue?  Or an overview of a bigger issue?
  • Is there a book everyone is reading or an issue your community is facing?

Speaker

Determine whether to hire a speaker or use someone from within your local church.  Consider your budget and your local teacher’s existing workload.

If you choose to hire a speaker, your regional denominational office can probably makes some suggestions.  Women’s ministry directors at other local churches in your area may also be able to offer suggestions.

If you’re holding your retreat at a Christian camp or conference center, they sometimes also have lists of possible speakers.

Once you have some names, do your homework.  Listen to some Mp3s from that speaker, read her book if she has one and talk to her on the phone or face to face if possible.  You want to know what she is likely to say and whether she’s a good match for your group and theme.  Note: 7 things to consider when you invite a speaker.

Location

The challenge is finding a location that is affordable, within easy travel distance and offers accommodations suitable for your group.  Older women tend to prefer resort or hotel like settings while younger women may be fine with bunk beds and dormitories.  A location that offers both may be ideal.  Make sure it can handle the number of women you expect plus food needs and special diets.

One you have a speaker and location, that usually determines the date.

Cost

With your date, location and speaker in place, the next big issue is cost.  You’ll need to determine how much to charge based on speaker fees, room rates, food, recreations costs, scholarship needs and any thank you gifts for your team.  Consider basic questions:

  • Will the church be providing any support?
  • Will you be organizing fundraisers throughout the year?
  • Will the women pay the total costs themselves?
  • How many scholarships can you offer?

If the church can support the early retreats, you can become “self-sustaining” by building up a reserve.  The reserve from the previous years pays the upfront costs (lodging down payment, speaker travel fees, publicity & printing, etc.).  Then registration fees cover the remaining costs and replenishes the reserve for next year.

Publicity

After the cost, speaker, theme, location and date, the next step is publicity. There are lots of ways to get the word out and you’ll probably know what has worked in your local church in the past:

  • Announcements in the bulletin, email and social media,
  • a sign-up table in the foyer,
  • posters in the hallways and women’s bathrooms,
  • announcements from the pulpit and at other women’s ministry events.
  • Use the traditional methods and experiment with the news.

Schedule

As the registrations start coming in the next step is planning the schedule.  Having a clear idea of what you’d like to accomplish at the retreat can help you plan.

Here are several sample schedules.  Adjust them for things you want to include and exclude.  Remember to factor in transition time (especially if you have to change buildings) and registration time, both structured and non-structured fellowship time, and maybe time for individuals to be alone with God.

Extras

Beyond the basics, you may want to include something extra like:

  • printed handouts, workbooks, binders or bookmarks that the women can take away
  • a small favor or gift for participants or a “survival kit“
  • snacks and beverages for fellowship time
  • “awards” for games and icebreakers
  • decorations that fit the theme
  • rooster of participants so women can stay in touch with their new friends after the retreat
  • suggestions to study to continue learning after the retreat
  • an evaluation or feedback form

Enjoy your retreat!

Please email me and let me know how this worked for you or ways you changed and improved it.

Resources for Ministry Leaders

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How to handle too many announcements

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Handling Announcements | WednesdayintheWord.com

As a ministry leader, you’ve probably been overwhelmed by announcements.  Any time you have a large group meeting, it seems everyone has a great cause that needs announcing.   Runaway announcements seems to be a particular problem of running a women’s ministry.  How do you handle it? What kind of limits should you put in place?  After 25 years, in women’s ministry, here’s the policy I’ve found best.

Example Policy

Rationale:

Our Bible study is part of women’s ministries whose mission statement is to provide Bible study, fellowship and discipleship for the women of our church and community.  We want to stick to our mission rather than being a repository for everyone’s favorite ministry.  Additionally, we don’t want Bible study attenders to feel as though they are the “woman power” for any and all worthy causes that the church sponsors (i.e. event meals, youth group meeting snacks, nursery needs, funerals and receptions, etc).   Therefore:

Policy

  1. Bible Study participants are free to share projects, causes and events with their small group.  We actively encourage serving others together as a small group.
  2. We will make announcements for any women’s ministry event
  3. We will announce general church information only if it is something the women need to know.
  4. We will not announce outside projects, events, causes etc. to the large group.  Nor will we recruit for other causes.
  5. We will gladly make the information available to the group by putting flyers, posters, sign-up sheets, etc. on the registration table and/or bulletin board.
  6. Announcements should be cleared with the MC before the morning begins.  “Surprise” announcements will need to wait until the following week.

Please email me and let me know how this worked for you or ways you changed and improved it.

More resources for Ministry Leaders

Photo used here under Flickr Creative Commons.

Making the most of registration forms

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Making the most of your registration forms | WednesdayintheWord.com

As a ministry leader, you’ve probably switched from paper to electronic registration.  If you use your program’s standard forms, you may have stopped gathering the data you need.   Registration is a chance to collect valuable information about your participants that can help you build small groups, evaluate the success of your programs, and plan for the future.

Here are some questions you might want to include on your registration forms.

  1. Church affiliation (if any) and how long attended
  2. Is this your first year at Bible Study?
  3. If so, how did you hear about us?
  4. Married status (married; single; divorced; widowed)
  5. Age group (18-25;  26-35;  36-45; 46-55; 56-65; 66+)
  6. Children’s ages (preschool; K-5; 6-12; college/adult; grandchildren)
  7. Are you employed outside the home?   (Yes;  No; Retired)
  8. Are you interested in helping with this study?  (Morning Setup; Ending Clean up; Sound; Outreach; Greeting;  Other)

You may also want to have “recruiting” section with questions like this:

Example text:  Here are some ways you can use your gifts in Women’s Ministry.  Please check all the ways you’d be willing to lend a helping hand.  Checking a box does not commit you for life!  We’ll contact you and give you a chance to accept or gracefully decline each opportunity.

  • Organize registration
  • Sing or play special music
  • Lead group singing
  • Take photos
  • Provide entertainment
  • Set up sound equipment
  • Plan an special event
  • Speak at an event
  • Share my story
  • Decorate for an event
  • Prepare refreshments or bring baked goods
  • Be a greeter
  • Write or design publicity
  • Write newsletter articles
  • Prepare newsletter mailings
  • Help with event set up or clean up
  • Lead a Bible Study
  • Lead a small group
  • Be a mentor
  • Help with child care
  • Host a group in my home
  • Provide transportation
  • Adopt a young mom
  • Adopt a Senior
  • Teach a skill/craft
  • Help with childcare
  • Other:__________________________

Online form/event/registration software is constantly changing, but here are some examples to investigate.

Please email me and let me know how this worked for you or ways you changed and improved it.

More resources for Ministry Leaders

Photo used here under Flickr Creative Commons.