Customize Your Secrets Small Group!

I've had a blast teaching the new Secrets small group that I began in my church three weeks ago. Even though I taught the Secrets material while I was writing the content, it is so much fun to lead the group with the actual books and DVD segments. Here are some ideas I've incorporated into my small group:

1. I made all of the Scripture/prayer cards in one day and put them in eight clear sandwich-size bags to be distributed each week. The cards are printed front-to-back and hole-punched so they can be kept on a ring. The first week, I gave each woman the card for Session One and several blank note cards on a ring. I encouraged each woman to write other verses or prayers that are specific to her life and to keep these cards in a prominent place.
2. Since this is a larger group, I've asked several women to help lead the discussion times. What seems to work best with this group is to watch the DVD teaching segment first. Then we walk through the material together in the larger group, followed by a time of discussing the questions in groups of four or five. We end with the DVD testimony segment and a closing prayer.
3. Several of the women in this group are young and unmarried. They sit together and have their own discussion. They have expressed how excited they are to have this information before they are married.

I recently visited a Secrets small group in another state. This was a smaller gathering. They found it best to watch the DVD teaching segment, walk through all of the material together and discuss the questions as they went along, and then watch the DVD testimony segment. Instead of a double-sided Scripture/prayer card, the facilitator made two cards each week-one was the prayer card, and the other was the Scripture card. They like to stick the cards on their mirrors or in their work stations.

A friend of mine is reading Secrets with a niece who lives in another state. Here is how they are walking through the material together:

1. Separately they read through a session and answer the questions on their own.
2. They e-mail their answers to each other before they chat online to discuss the session.
3. They chat once a week on Facebook and explore one question at a time, discussing their thoughts, insights, and questions. My friend has said it is a wonderful way to establish a closer relationship with her niece.

The Secrets Web site offers other ideas:

1. Just this week we posted questions for each session to be used by military wives.
2. We also have specific questions for women whose husbands have yet to believe in Christ.

We are continuing to add ideas and additional resources to the Web site. Take time to check it out and see the other ideas for using Secrets uniquely in your situation: www.secretsbiblestudy.com.

KERRY CLARENSAU is a mentor, speaker, and author of Secrets: Transforming Your Life and Marriage. She has served in ministry with her husband, Mike, for over 20 years in various positions in the Kansas District and in the national office. Currently she and Mike serve as pastors at Maranatha Worship Center in Wichita, Kansas, where she teaches an adult Sunday school class and oversees ministry to women. Kerry also serves as Leadership Development Coordinator for the National Women's Department. Visit her Web site at www.kerryclarensau.com.