As a small group leader... what do you see as a win in your group? I have heard many different definitions:

• When everyone shows up
• When we actually make it through a study
• When people get the homework done
• When no one left the group all year
• When there is spiritual growth evident
• When people are excited and passionate about coming
• When you love each other more and more
• When you learn more and understand scripture more
• When your group makes it through the year without imploding in on itself like a dying star...

I have heard it all and there is a measure of truth and value to most! But if you drill down to the core, here are the wins we need to seek and celebrate:

Building Connection - If we are getting to know each other better, deepening friendships and enjoying sharing life together... that is a HUGE win. We need to make sure that we are creating space in our small group meetings and small group schedule for simple connection. Go bowling. Play a game. Spend an hour just having coffee and talking about life! For some, depending on their personality and wiring, this may seem like a tremendous waste of time... yet this simple connection is the fertile soil upon which we can experience abundant growth!  

Growing Spiritually - Do you see growth in your people, however small it may be? Make sure to stop and celebrate steps of growth! It's far too easy to have unrealistic expectations for your small group, assuming there will be massive change... when really, becoming like Jesus is a life long process, made up of single, small, gradual steps. Has your group started to show increasing love for one another? Has accountability taken a step forward? Was there an answer to prayer? Did someone grasp something about God they did not understand before? Did someone who usually won't pray out loud, do so? All of these are critical steps in your groups spiritual growth. Celebrate them! Make sure your group knows just how many "wins" they are accomplishing! 

Reaching Out - If we are caring about others outside the group in any form... this is a huge win! It is far too easy to be inward looking and forget Jesus' mandate to reach out to others. If your group is serving others, praying for others, having meaningful spiritual conversations with others in the week, showing the love of Jesus to a neighbor, etc... this is all win. Challenge your group to keep looking outward, and celebrate it when they do! 

A win really is a "next step" in any of these areas, however small it may seem. I am not saying to lower your expectations, but rather be sure to catch the small wins, celebrate them, and encourage your people based on them! That encouragment and recognition will help motivate and impassion them to reach for the next growth step!

1. With each member, ask yourself: "Is ________ more like Jesus then they were before?"
2. With your group, ask yourself: "Is our group more Christlike as a unit then they were before?"
3. Then write down each "win" you see in the group and individuals... and encourage them based on it!