For instance, City on a Hill Productions creates 20-30 minute videos that are used in multi-session studies, but they also edit some of their videos, such as The Easter Experience and The Christmas Experience, into films 60-90 minutes for groups or families to watch and discuss.Īnother consideration is how a video is developed and produced. The exception to this rule is the occasional use of dramatic or even feature-length videos. Steve Yarrow, small-group pastor at NorthRidge Church in Detroit, Michigan, goes a step further and recommends using videos that are 20 minutes or less in length. Rather than choosing a video that goes on and on, dumping way too much information on your group members, choose a video that sparks discussion and perhaps even includes a book with some questions to get discussion started. 'One study I was part of had an hour-long video each night we met, and by the time the video was over, everyone was pretty much brain-dead and ready to go home,' he told me. Phil Gioja, a videographer and owner of Heartland Seeds, produces documentary-style video studies and believes the shorter, the better. Where do you need to lead your group members?Īlso consider the length of the videos. Ask yourself, 'What is needed in order to grow in our faith together?' Think as a shepherd-leader. It doesn't really matter how great and popular a study or a speaker is if the topic doesn't address a real need in the lives of your group members. How can we use this type of curriculum to lead healthy, life-changing groups? I asked a small-group video producer and some of my small-group ministry friends for their tips on what to do and what not to do as you lead using videos.ġ. Most small groups use video-based studies at one time or another.

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