LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
HOW TO LEAD A GROUP ASSIGNMENT
Submitted to Dr. Gary Waller
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
By
Patrick Scales
DSMN 630 D01: Small Group Ministries
November 27, 2022
Table of Contents
Assigned Chapters Summary …………………………………………………………………..1
The Five W’s of Healthy Small Groups …………………………………………………………
5
The Importance and Elements of a Group Covenant
………………………………………….6
Small Groups Summarized ……………………………………………………………………..7
Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………………..8
1
Assigned Chapters Summary
Arnold opens up chapter 4 of Starting a Small Group using the illustration of driving a
car for the first time. In that illustration he compares leading a small group and its difficulties
with, when you see someone else driving that you may have sentiments about their skill.1 In any
case, when you initially get in the driver's seat, it is somewhat uncomfortable (Arnold 2017, 63).
Arnold applies this illustration to starting a small group and being a small group leader and the
qualms that come with it (Arnold 2004. 63). However, the desire is to make disciples spread the
gospel throughout the communities through prayer, teaching, worship coupled with doing a good
job in assuming a leadership position for a small group (Arnold 2017. 63).
When gathers group members together Arnolds says the initial phase in doing so is to
arrange a small group of disciples who are willing to grow under leadership as well as in prayer,
Arnold reflects on scripture from the Gospel according to Luke to illustrate his statement and
how Jesus when choosing his disciples committed the choice to His heavenly Father (Arnold
2004. 63). The importance of Jesus seeking out God’s approval in deciding those who would
follow Jesus was a need for God’s guidance, this importance translates into starting a ministry
should be done in prayer (Arnold 2017. 63). In addition to, only God oversees the huge number
of intangibles that influence how ministry happens, also it is God who can work inside such
countless characters, connections, method for correspondence, assumptions, and instabilities to
deliver a decent outcome, so it is imperative that leaders offer themselves to God asking Him to
shape the work of ministries so that kingdom of God benefits (Arnold 2017. 63). When putting a
small group together for the first-time discernment on choosing members is important and
1 Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2017.
2
depends on what type of group is going to be lead, however, there should only be one
qualification for membership and that is a commitment to be a disciple Arnold says (Arnold
2017. 64).
When individuals accept the invitation into the small group the actual work of the
ministry begins, and the small group must begin to solve the problems of its identity considering
who the are and what they do, moreover, the leader of that group must guide the disciples and
teach healthy group life, Arnold says that a group covenant is the best means of communication
said issues (Arnold 2017. 64). Arnold under the topic of Building a Covenant reflects on Genesis
1 after God creating male and female that they should “fruitful and multiply” (Gen.1:27-
28[KJV]) with the continual theme thought the bible covenants between God and humanity
(Arnold 2004. 66). Arnold continues with and illustration of what a covenant consists of and how
with new groups a covenant although usually lasting four to six weeks it could be beneficial in
helping the group identify its purpose, along with holding individuals accountable to the group
(Arnold 2017. 66). Also, covenants specify the reciprocal expectations and duties that involve
when a contributor in a transaction or relationship between two individuals, so when a covenant
is written it become a part of a healthy group pattern allowing everyone equal input, and the
achievement of the group resting with everyone trying to meet the expectation laid down and
agreed upon by all (Arnold 2017. 67). The groundwork of a covenant the groups consensus is
crucial and provides an inadequate vote weighting in the importance of safeguarding each parties
group protection. The groundwork in writing a group covenant also considers identity issues
such as “who we are” task issues (what we do” communication issues “how we interact and role
issues “who does what” (Arnold 2017. 67). Arnold moves from his explanation of identity issues
to the inception of a small group into Three Stages of Group Development and allowing
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discernment to differentiate between groups getting started with groups that are growing and
groups that preparing to disperse because over time, the group will naturally separate (Arnold
2017. 73-75).
Arnold wraps up chapter 4 of his publication with Leadership Responsibilities with a list
of obligations that leaders should fulfil, in addition to, Arnold breaks down Group Types
evaluating 7 types of groups with descriptions, focus, membership profiles, and strengths and
weakness (Arnold 2017. 76-80).
Chapter 5 Arnold lead the reader into the structure of for groups whose structure should
be one that consist of a caring community and should aim high to lead small groups using the
analogy of a space expedition where titles the section as Destination: Discipleship (Arnold
2017.83-84). In this section of his book Arnold in starting the destination course a leader can
begin training by showing the destination to make disciples of all people in multiplying cells and
that knowing where you are going with a small group is helpful of great importance
understanding how to arrive at the destination (Arnold 2017. 83-84). Also, in this chapter the
author discusses The Fellowship Hour a process that requires communication whether before
church or after is as important as is the worship hour because they provide value and
acquaintance through normal conversation and people can fell loved since people are willing to
spend time with them, becoming what Arnold describes as a greenhouse for community, a place
of wellbeing to learn relational skills (Arnold 2017.84-85).
Continuing onward in chapter 5 Arnold use a passage from Acts 2:42-47 to provide a
glimpse of the early church breaking bread together, this passage is helpful showing how a group
of people attempting grow together through discipleship (Arnold 2004.86). Under the subtopic
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They Broke Brea Together Arnold gives three basic principles concerning passage from
Ephesians 2:17 -19,22 that points toward a new Christian community and the priority of
developing a biblical concept of community (Arnold 2017.87).
In the Diversity and Unity focuses in on the issues related to community building, and
how to bring together diverse individuals, with different lifestyles, into an effective body going
in one direction (Arnold 2004.88). Arnold uses the The individual-Past, Present, Future section
to break down the uniqueness of individuals characters and life experiences that provide the
church with a wealthy amount of experience and knowledge to provide a church with a vision
and with that is the ability to encourage other from a small group perspective to talk about their
future, as they grow in discipleship (Arnold 2004.88-94). Exploring ways to allow people to
share about their past, present, and future is imperative so Arnold provides some principles to
integrate allocating in a small group. He also gives principles as guides to practice when relating
to individual when creating a group that not only listens to it members but also ministers to them
as well (Arnold 2017.94-95). From this point Arnold transitions in the topic of a leader and the
individual and the leader’s responsibility if to reach out to each individual through two
characteristics, loving being the first characteristic and the second is empowerment (Arnold
2004.99).
The summary of chapters 22-28 of Earley and Dempsey’s publication began with a
question from its title (How Much Prayer?) with several quotes that support continual prayer.2
From there Early and Dempsey moved into a section of the book that discusses small group
covenant the ten varieties of covenant that are obtainable and when they are covered clearly and
regularly the increase significantly the transparency and coherence of the group (Earley and
2 Dempsey, Rod, and Dave Earley. Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small Groups.
Liberty University Press, 2016. 66.
5
Dempsey 2016. 89). Early and Dempsey also provide the importance of good question as did
Christ with a designed to engage others around him and get them to thinking about eternal truths.
Also, leading small group discussions using passage from Hebrews 4:12 to encourage small
groups to study and apply the life change Word of God (Earley and Dempsey 2016. 93). They
also discuss the finding and training of an apprentice through prayer, looking for someone in the
group, and look for someone that has F.A.I.T.H and what it means (Earley and Dempsey 2016.
97). Written also in their book is a section that deal with mistering to difficult people in meeting
and how to redirect the discussion, recognition of wondering, and how to respond to the wrong
answers, they also provide subtopics concerning silent moments in group meetings, and difficult
questions (Earley and Dempsey 2016. 100-107). Finally, chapter 8 deals with the integration of
children into small group meetings and the options that provide a plan to allow a child to take
part in the first part of meeting through customization of plan and action (Earley and Dempsey
2016. 103-106).
The Five W’s of Healthy Small Groups
The Beginning Steps for Creating a Group
Dr. Rod Dempsey in our class lecture draws from a worldwide study that Joe Comiskey
had done on small groups and in that study, he found that multiplying and growing groups a
leader must continually pray on an average of one hour a day.3 Prayer is another means of grace,
a momentary training time, habitually on the plans and health for the group and for individuals
and praying for the collective small groups according to the publication by the Board of
3Dempsey, Rod. February 9, 2018.https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/323659/pages/watch
how to-lead-a group?module_item_id=41460811.
6
Discipleship.4 Pray should always be the first step to starting a small group interceding and
asking for God’s direction in providing individuals with F.A.I.T.H the acrostic that for someone
who is faithful, is able, has integrity, and is teachable and has a heart for God (Earley and
Dempsey 2016. 98). The same principles of prayer and finding faithful individuals who are
teachable and has a heart for God would apply to a starting an online group a direction that is
already into practice prior the Covid pandemic.
Using the five W’s in starting a small group with the intent to creating and growing a
healthy group that multiplies would be to first welcome and build a great community
relationship, next would be to invoke the presence of God through worship. In addition to,
allowing God to Speak to you, through the third “W” of God’s Word teaching and learning how
to apply passages to our live is imperative, and then you have the fourth of the “W’s” works,
putting into practice the word of God. Finally, to be a people reaching group you must be a
witness,5 it is the witnesses that have a relationship with Christ and other individuals and groups
with an outward dimension witnessing to the world (Arnold 2004.32).
The importance and Elements of a Group Covenant
The importance of a group covenant operates as a guide to the small group to help teach
health group life and is the best method of communicating issues and instructs a mutual
expectancy and obligations involved when participating in relationship between at least two
parties (Arnold 2004.64). There are ten elements of a small group covenant according to Earley
4 Board Of Discipleship. 2016. Guidelines Small Group Ministries. Nashville: Abingdon
Press. ProQuest Ebook Central.
5 “5 W's PowerPoint.” PowerPoint presentation, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
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and Dempsey’s book “The Covenant of Priority” also “The Covenant of Prayer” and “The
Covenant of Accountability.” (Earley and Dempsey 2016.89).
Small Groups Summarized
Arnold gives several types of small group types in his book there is the cell group also
considered to be care group or home group and involves a distinct focus over the life group that
typically gathers for personal and corporate growth. In addition to, there is a discipleship group
with emphasis on the powerful relationship that had with his disciples, this group focuses om
personal and spiritual growth (Arnold 2017. 77). At my church I am part of the discipleship
ministry, and I am in prayer to see this ministry to grow to be a healthy and spiritual lead
ministry.
Bibliography
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2017.
Dempsey, Rod. February 9, 2018.https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/323659/pages/watch how to
lead-a group?module_item_id=41460811.
8
Dempsey, Rod, and Earley, Dave. Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small Groups. Liberty
University Press, 2016. 66.
Board Of Discipleship. 2016. Guidelines Small Group Ministries. Nashville: Abingdon Press.
ProQuest Ebook Central.
“5 W's PowerPoint.” PowerPoint presentation, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
