Small Group Ministries

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Small Group Manual

Submitted to Dr. Earley in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of

DSMN 630 – D01

Small Group Ministries

by

Courtney Basse

November 22, 2016 Motivations for Developing Groups

The primary reason for developing groups is not church growth. As Rick Warren noted, the primary issue for churches in the current era is not church growth, but church health. Nor is the primary reason church health. Instead of stopping at church health as an answer one must ask themselves what the marks of a healthy church are and how a church “achieves” these marks. Comiskey points out eight characteristics of healthy churches. Beyond holistic small groups, they include

Dempsey and Earley assert that teaching involves connecting people to God through the spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible reading and connecting them to others through the service of their spiritual gifts. This type of proximity can only take place if believers rid themselves of the notion that discipleship is an event and replace it with the right belief that discipleship is a lifestyle commitment. Discipleship is intentional. Jesus chose twelve disciples. He actively initiated the discipleship relationship. This sets the groundwork for the active phrasing in The Great Commission.

Biblical Foundations

From the beginning, God gave Christians a biblical pattern to follow. Genesis 2:18 states, ”It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable helper for him.” (New International Version) Although the context is not speaking to small groups, the principle can be applied that people need people. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 states,

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly

How to Lead a Small Group

If you are reading this manual or in this training, you have already started. Everyone who goes through the training manual has the ability to lead or co-lead a group. At the completion of this training you will be equipped with all the basic tools you need to start and maintain a small group. Below is a helpfl guide to leading a small group.

Self-focus: Don’t speak for others. Speak only for yourself/avoid advice giving.

Limit sharing: We want everyone to feel welcome and giving people time to express themselves is a great way to do that.

Respect others: Let everyone find his/her own answers while still keeping the group flowing.

Listen respectfully: Avoid side conversations.

Let God work: No preaching at group members. Trust that God is working in the other members even if you cannot see it.

As a leader or co-leader, you have the authority and ability to guide and limit conversations. It is your responsibility to make sure that group time stays as a discussion and learning time and does not turn into a counseling session. Should attendees wish to discuss things after formal dismissal, they should feel free to do