Why Small Groups?
1. Small groups foster close relationships
1. Small groups foster close relationships
2. Small groups provide a comfortable setting
1. Small groups foster close relationships
2. Small groups provide a comfortable setting
3. They follow the early church model of meeting in
homes. ( A little more on this later.)
1. Small groups foster close relationships
2. Small groups provide a comfortable setting
3. They follow the early church model of meeting in
homes. ( A little more on this later.)
4. They are a tremendous tool for discipleship.
What is discipleship?
1. Small groups foster close relationships.
2. Small groups provide a comfortable setting.
3. They follow the early church model of meeting in
homes. ( A little more on this later.)
4. They are a tremendous tool for discipleship.
5. They get more people involved using their gifts.
I Corinthians 12:27
Now you are
the body of
Christ, and each
one of you is a
part of it.
Ephesians 4:7
When He ascended
on high, he took many
captives and gave
gifts to his people.
Ephesians 4:12
For the equipping of
the saints for the
work of ministry, for
the edifying of the
body of Christ.
A healthy
small group
is not just
inward
focus.
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built
up…attaining
to relationships.
1.
Small
groups foster close
2.
groups
provide a comfortable setting.
theSmall
whole
measure
3. They follow the early church model of meeting in
of homes.
the fullness
of
( A little more on this later.)
Christ.
4.
They are a tremendous tool for discipleship.
5. They get more people involved using their gifts.
6. They engage the body in pastoral care.
PREISTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS
Ex. 17:12
When his father-in-law
saw all that Moses was
doing for the people,
he said, “What is this
you are doing for the
people? Why do you
alone sit as judge,
while all these people
stand around you from
morning till evening?
Exodus 18:14
You and these
people who come
to you will only
wear yourselves
out. The work is too
heavy for you; you
cannot handle it
alone.
Exodus 18:19
But select capable
men from all the
people—men who
fear God, trustworthy
men who hate
dishonest gain—and
appoint them as
officials over
thousands, hundreds,
fifties and tens.
Exodus 18:21
”In laboring where there
are already some in the
faith, the minister
should at first seek not
so much to convert
unbelievers, as to train
the church members for
acceptable service."
Christian Service p. 70
”When they are
prepared to sustain the
minister by the their
prayers and labors,
greater success will
attend his efforts."
Christian Service p. 70
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built
up…attaining
7.
Small
groups helps to to
cultivate leaders.
the whole measure
Small groups give opportunities for leadership
of
the
fullness
of
development within the church.
Christ.
Pastors should be like a choir director making all
the instruments come together in harmonious
sound.
When its time for the cymbal, I’m going over there
to do it, because that’s more fun.
The tuba player stinks and I am not taking a risk. I
am going to do it right so I won’t be embarrassed.
Many pastors look like they fell off the horse, got
their foot caught in the stirrup, and are being
dragged all around.
HEY, PASTOR!
“Hey, Pastor, have you visited my cousin Bertha
and asked her about Jesus?”
“Hey, Pastor, have you finished running the
bulletin?”
“Hey, Pastor, have you visited the Joneses? They
haven’t been to church in three weeks.”
“Hey, Pastor, did you pick up the paint for the
primary room?”
Spiritual Body Building p.29 – Kim A. Johnson
One church surveyed its members and asked
the following question: “How many hours
each week do you feel the pastor ought to
spend in the following areas?” Then, they
listed nine or ten specific areas of ministry.
When the questionnaires were tallied and the
hours for each activity averaged, the pastor
would have had to work about one hundred
and twenty hours each week to do everything
the members expected.
Spiritual Body Building p. 29 – Kim A. Johnson
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built
up…attaining
7.
Small
groups helps toto
cultivate leaders.
8.
well,measure
can be a powerful tool for evangelism.
theDone
whole
of the fullness of
Christ.
If the focus of
the small group
is outreach the
potential for
winning souls is
powerful!
Principle of Multiplication
An effective evangelist who reaches 1,000
people a day for Christ will win the world to
Christ in 12,515 years.
Principle of Multiplication
But a disciple who teaches or trains two people
a year to reach others for Christ has the
potential to win the world to Christ in 33 years.
Bill Donahue
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built
up…attaining
to
7.
Small
groups help to cultivate
leaders.
8.
well,measure
can be a powerful tool for evangelism.
theDone
whole
9. Done well, they become a tremendous tool of
of retention.
the fullness of
Christ.
People want to be needed and known. Small groups
make both possible.
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built
up…attaining
7.
Small
groups helps toto
cultivate leaders.
8.
well,measure
can be a powerful tool for evangelism.
theDone
whole
9. Done well, they become a tremendous tool of
of retention.
the fullness of
Christ.
10.
Provide a source of encouragement and
accountability.
(So easy to slip in and out of church unnoticed)
The early
church used
small groups
and the church
grew rapidly.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple
courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together
with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying
the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their
number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47
Then the word of God
spread, and the
number of the
disciples multiplied
greatly in Jerusalem,
and a great many of
the priests were
obedient to the faith.
Acts 6:7
George Whitefield
a
John Wesley
John Wesley left behind a 100,000-member church,
while George Whitefield could point to little
tangible fruit toward the end of his ministry. Why?
George Whitefield
a
John Wesley
SMALL GROUPS!
October 2008
The Adventist Church in
South America has a
membership of about 2.7
million. Between 1996
and 2005, church
membership in South
America increased 180
percent. Though many
factors are involved in
this growth, we consider
the use of small groups as
one of the most effective.
In the Adventist Church in
South America (SAD),
approximately 65,000
small groups exist, and
great effort has been
made so that small
groups become the basis
of the church’s missionary
outreach.
October 2008
Small groups have proven
to be an effective
instrument in God’s hands
to bring us more
growth—spiritual growth,
growth in relationships,
growth in preparing
disciples, and growth in
planting new churches.
October 2008
"In our churches let
companies be formed for
service. Let different
ones unite in labor as
fishers of men. Let them
seek to gather souls
from the corruption of
the world into the saving
purity of Christ's love."
T. Vol. 7 p. 21-22
"The formation of
small companies as a
basis of Christian
effort has been
presented to me by
One who cannot err. "
T. Vol. 7 p. 21-22
This Day with God p. 11
“Let small companies assemble together
in the evening or early morning to study
the Bible for themselves. Let them have
a season of prayer that they may be
strengthened and enlightened and
sanctified by the Holy Spirit. . . .”
This Day with God p. 11
“If you will do this, a great blessing will
come to you from the One who gave His
whole life to service, the One who
redeemed you by His own life. ..”
This Day with God p. 11
“Let little companies meet together to
study the Scriptures. You will lose
nothing by this, but will gain much.
Angels of God will be in your gathering,
and as you feed upon the Bread of Life,
you will receive spiritual sinew and
muscle. You will be feeding, as it were,
upon the leaves of the tree of life. ”
Gallup Poll
• To believe life is meaningful and has purpose.
Gallup Poll
• To believe life is meaningful and has purpose.
• To have a sense of community & deeper relationships.
Gallup Poll
• To believe life is meaningful and has purpose.
• To have a sense of community & deeper relationships.
• To be appreciated & respected.
Gallup Poll
•
•
•
•
To believe life is meaningful and has purpose.
To have a sense of community & deeper relationships.
To be appreciated & respected.
To be listened to and heard.
Gallup Poll
•
•
•
•
•
To believe life is meaningful and has purpose.
To have a sense of community & deeper relationships.
To be appreciated & respected.
To be listened to and heard.
To feel I am growing in my faith.
Gallup Poll
•
•
•
•
•
•
To believe life is meaningful and has purpose.
To have a sense of community & deeper relationships.
To be appreciated & respected.
To be listened to and heard.
To feel I am growing in my faith.
To have practical help in developing mature faith.
All these needs can be met in a Small Group!
Request
a
meeting
with
your
Pastor.
1. Share purpose
for small group
1. Discuss how
to recruit
people
1. How to
promote it
Seek Church Board
approval
Pick small group leaders that are
respected and trusted by the church.
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
WHAT
THEY
WILL
NEED
TO
KNOW:
built up…attaining to
1.the
Why
thismeasure
Program?
whole
2.ofWhen
will it start?
the fullness
of
3.Christ.
Where will it be held?
4. Who are the leaders?
5. What is expected to happen?
Invite in person, bulletin, announcement, letter
Send a letter of invitation to small group ministry
(Place in bulletin)
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built up…attaining
to to start small group
Need
a team of three
the Facilitator
whole measure
1.
of the
fullnessFacilitator
of
2.
Assistant
Christ.
3.
Hostess
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built up…attaining
to
Have
an informal meeting
the Discuss
whole measure
1.
place, day, time, topic
of the
fullness of
2.
Babysitting
Christ.
3.
Start off with meal or light snacks
4. Get input from everyone
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built up…attaining
to
Prospect
list
whole
measurestart a prospect list
•theHave
everyone
fullness
of
•of the
Send
out invitation
cards
Christ.
Your invited!
To an open Home Bible Study
A small group will be meeting in a home for fellowship and sharing
God’s word
We hope you will join us.
We ill be studying
_______________
Address:
100 Dawn Court, White House, TN
Time:
Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Phone:
253-226-8667
Follow up invitation with
phone call.
Elements of small group ministry
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Location
Size
Frequency of Meetings
Facilitators
Host/Hostess Duties
Empty Chair
Small Group Covenant
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Discuss purpose of group
Goals
Values
Where to meet
What you will study
Maximum number
How often to have outreach
How often to have socials
Small Group Covenant
9. Agree to the following disciplines
a. Acceptance
b. Confidentiality
c. Graciousness
d. Courtesy
e. Listening
Leader’s preparation
1. Study the passage
2. Write down general
thoughts
3. Write down questions
4. Points to bring out
5. Ask God to give you
wisdom
6. Have group read
beforehand
Leader’s preparation
7. Ask open questions
lead to discussion
8. Let members talk &
discuss
9. Direct conversation
back if it veers too far
off course
Study Tools
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Study Bible
Dictionary & thesaurus
Bible commentary
Conflict of the Ages
Strong’s Concordance
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built up…attaining to
Tips:
wholesure
measure
•theMake
everyone gets a chance to
of the
talkfullness of
•Christ.
Keep group on track but don’t dictate
• Intercede if disagreement arises
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built up…attaining
to
Time
format for effective
groups:
the whole measure
7:00
Start time
7:00
– 7:15
Visitof
and connect
of the
fullness
7:15 – 8:00
Prayer, study and discussion
Christ.
8:00 – 8:15
Prayer
8:15 – 8:30
Closure
TYPES OF SMALL GROUPS
• Bible study groups
• Outreach groups
• Support groups
• Nurture groups
Ephesians 4:12,13
To prepare God’s
people for works of
service, so that the
body of Christ may be
built up…attaining
to do?
What
will small groups
the whole measure
the fullness
of with God & others
•of Great
way to connect
•Christ.
Grow spiritually and relationally
• Serve group, church & community
• Great way to integrate new members