Why you need a Small Group Covenant

None of us think we want them, But God, in His wisdom, knows we need them. When we live personally with healthy boundaries our lives and our relationships thrive. We know, as parents, that our children need healthy boundaries for their physical safety and systemized development into maturity. Even the government sets healthy boundaries for us such as speed limits and stop lights.

Small groups are no different. Groups maintain health and longevity when members of the group create a governing covenant for their group and stick with it. Many groups without a governing covenant suffer relationally and sometimes dissolve because members do not keep the covenant that all have agreed will benefit the group as a whole.

So what decisions should groups make and stick to for a successful and long term group experience? TIMES: A time to begin and time to end honor the time of each member. When people show up late or group time runs over, it dishonors everyone else who has set that time aside for growth in God. We honor others by honoring their time. RESPONSIBILITES: Decide who is going to host, who is going to facilitate discussion, who is going to bring snacks, etc. If someone can- not take that responsibility for that week, it is up to them to find someone to trade with. PARTICIPATION: Each member should come fully prepared so they can offer their best to the group experience. CONFIDENTIALITY: Each member agrees that what is shared in the group stays in the group. There is always a good time to re-group, re-set a group covenant and get the group back on track.

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