LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
How to Lead a Group Assignment
Submitted to Dr. Clay Anthony
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
completion of
DSMN 630
Small Group Ministries
By
Carley B. Moore
2
February 21, 2021
Contents
Summary of Text.....................................................................................................................3
Beginning Steps for Developing Small Groups.........................................................................4
Small Group Outline................................................................................................................5
Small Group Covenant.............................................................................................................6
Types of Small Groups.............................................................................................................7
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................8
Bibliography............................................................................................................................9
3
Summary of Text
Small group ministries are about relationships. One of the keys to keeping these
relationships real and authentic is to make sure that it is covenant relationships. Good small
group ministries hinge on covenants. Before starting or even continuing small groups ministries,
several things should take place. One of these things are covenants. These covenants should
include covenants of priority, prayer, outreach, growth, openness, availability, confidentiality,
accountability, and love.1 These covenants are essentially the ten commandments of healthy,
growing, and multiplying small groups.
Before there can be small groups and covenants, there must be people. These people
cannot just be random. This must start with prayer. Arnold points out that Jesus first prayed
before gathering his small group and a good small group leader should do the same.2 Jesus
connected with the Father first before connecting in covenant relationships with his disciples.3 If
prayer is the foundation of a group then the group will be built on a firm foundation and less
likely to fall into a mere formality. When choosing who to be a part of a small group, the group
leader must discern from God who should be a part. This can only take place through prayer and
communing with God. A small group is not a small group simply because it is called a small
group. If prayer is the foundation for small group ministries then there will be quality and a
good quality group with draw quantity.4 Essentially, when prayer is the foundation, scripture will
1
Dempsey, Rod & Earley, Dave. Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small Groups. (Lynchburg, VA: Liberty
University Press, 2016), 89.
2
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004), 63.
3
Luke 6:12-16 NLT
4
Dempsey, Rod & Earley, Dave. Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small Groups, 93.
4
be fulfilled.5
Another important aspect in the development and leading of a group is the curriculum.
While there are a number of things to do, it is important, regardless of using a published
curriculum or walking through scripture, to focus on structure. Dempsey and Earley layout some
general guidelines to assist in this area. Their suggestions are to avoid doing all of the talking,
set goals, and be sure to stay on track.6 Finding people to serve within the group will help in
these areas. One key role is that of an apprentice. Other roles that will help create healthy,
growing, multiplying small group ministries are host/hostess, prayer leader, fellowship/event
coordinator, and outreach coordinator among others.7
Beginning Steps for Developing Small Groups
As stated previously, there are key steps to beginning small group ministries that will be
effective and endure over time. Again, the first and most important step is to spend time in
prayer seeking God’s will for small group ministries. During these prayers ask God for direction
for the group and for those who will be a part of the group. Determine if the small group will be
open or closed. The next key to a successful group is having a group of people who have a
desire to be discipled. Something that will help with this is the development of a covenant. With
the covenant will come accountability which will likely weed out those who are not serious
about being discipled. This will be discussed in more detail later in this essay. Some other keys
5
Genesis 1:28 & Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
6
Dempsey, Rod & Earley, Dave. Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small, 95.
7
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups, 73.
5
to setting as small group up for success are to determine what kind of group it will be (discussed
in detail later), who can be in the group, expectations/participation, when and how can
individuals join, what are the group logistics, what will the group do, and what will the roles in
the group be?8 Setting up a group outline prior to beginning a group will make the meeting time
more successful and lead to the group ministry truly being healthy, growing, and multiplying.
Small Group Outline
For the group to be successful, the leader must have a plan. One easy way to set up a
group outline is to follow the Five W’s; Welcome, Worship, Word, Work, and Witness.9 Another
thing to think of when developing a group outline is connect upward, inward, and outward.10 If
the small group leader will follow the five w’s and be sure to connect upward, inward, and
outward, he or she can then develop a game plan that will prove to be successful. A good small
group atmosphere will be a welcoming one. This includes the people and the environment.
When this happens, it sets the tone for connecting inward but also for connecting upward.
Connecting upward then takes place through worship and the word. As the group grows in
Christ and in each other they can then connect outward and focus on the work and the witness. A
good outline for small groups should encompass all of this. Below is an example of a small
group meeting outline that will be followed at Holly Hill Church during our Sunday groups
setting.
9:45-10:00am Coffee and Pastries (Fellowship Time)
8
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups, 62-71.
9
5 W’s PowerPoint
10
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups, 71.
6
10:00-10:15am Prayer Requests/Prayer
10:15-10:25am Catch up/Recap/Testimony
10:25-10:45am Worship & Word
10:45-10:50am Closing Prayer
Our small group ministries will also follow S.O.A.P. inside and outside of our group gatherings.
We will spend time in Scripture. We will then make Observations about this scripture. We will
then look at the Application of this scripture. And we will end in Prayer over this scripture. This
will also allow for journaling, as well as discussion, inside and outside of our group gatherings.
In order for groups to be successful, they also should have a group covenant.
Small Group Covenant
Covenants stipulate the mutual expectations and responsibilities involved when we
participate in a transaction or relationship between at least two parties.11 As Zig Ziglar stated, “If
you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.”12 When people do not accept divine guidance,
they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.13 Arnold, Dempsey, Earley, Ziglar, and God
have all given some great advice on the importance of direction and that direction for a small
group is found in a covenant. There is great difficulty to sustain covenant relationships without a
covenant.
As stated earlier, there are ten “commandments” to a small group covenant: priority,
prayer, outreach, growth, openness, multiplication, availability, confidentiality, accountability,
and love.14 Being present is important to covenant relationships. Remember to pray first and
11
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups, 67.
12
Dempsey, Rod & Earley, Dave. Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small, 88.
13
Proverbs 29:18 NLT
14
7
never stop. Serve God by serving others. Friends sharpen friends.15 Being open is freeing. A
closed group mind-set is the death of true authentic community.16 Be fruitful and multiply and
increase in number.17 Always be willing and ready.18 What is said in the group stays in the
group.19 Love God and love each other.20 Every aspect of the covenant should be covered by
scripture and prayer. This will prove to be successful. Also, knowing what type of small group
you are functioning as is half the battle.
Types of Small Groups
There are many different types of small groups that exist within churches. While this is
not an exhaustive list, here are a few types of groups. Home groups have been one of the most
common in many churches over the past decade and even beyond that. These types of groups
purpose typically is to promote community building, personal and corporate growth, and
ultimately, multiplication.21 Another type of group is the discipleship group. This type of group
Dempsey, Rod & Earley, Dave. Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small, 89.
15
Proverbs 27:17 NLT
16
Donahue, Bill & Robinson, Russ. The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan,
2002), 129.
17
Jeremiah 23:3 NLT
18
2 Timothy 4:2 NIV
19
James 5:16 NLT
20
Mark 12:30-31 NLT
21
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups, 76.
8
focuses on smaller group of people with the ultimate goal to provide a deep dive into scripture
and care for the group through prayer and communication. Then there can be ministry groups.
These are groups that meet naturally due to areas of ministry, for example, the worship team
would be considered a ministry group. There are also more specialized groups that focus on
specific needs such as recovery programs, divorce care, and grief share.
Then there are also free market groups. These groups can be led by nearly anyone who
has gone through some sort of orientation and training. These groups can also meet based upon
varying interests such as fishing, sports, or sewing. These types of groups have become more of
a staple in progressive and mega-church settings. House churches are becoming a sort of church
planting method more today than in many years. This method follows that of the early church.
House churches played an essential role in the rapid growth and ultimate triumph of Christianity,
and it would be safe to say that the first three centuries belonged to the house church
movement.22 This just barely scratches the surface of the vast studies that have been done in
order to classify groups.
Conclusion
At Holly Hill, we use a free market approach to Small Groups. This means we want
people to gather together based on the things they enjoy and are important to them. Essentially,
the things you are already doing in their life are the things that can make up a Small Group. Free
market leaders form their group around their gifts or interests. Small Groups have two simple
purposes, relationship and discipleship. George Barna said that a church engaged in effective
22
Comiskey, Joel. Biblical Foundations for the Cell-Based Church. (Moreno Valley, CA: CCS Publishing, 2016), 87.
9
discipleship is a church that will grow steadily and solidly.23 We believe God created us to be in
relationship with others and it is through these relationships we experience the full life He
intends for us and that the church experiences the growth that Barna mentions. Through these
growing relationships we can begin to grow disciples. We believe life change happens in the
context of Relationships. People are more likely to listen when in relationship, therefore
relationships are vital for discipleship. Meaningful relationships can be hard to find, and Small
Groups exist to make life-changing relationships relevant and accessible to you.
Bibliography
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
Barna, George. Growing True Disciples. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press, 2001.
Comiskey, Joel. Biblical Foundations for the Cell-Based Church. Moreno Valley, CA: CCS
Publishing, 2016.
Dempsey, Rod & Earley, Dave. Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small Groups.
Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University Press, 2016.
Donahue, Bill & Robinson, Russ. The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002.
5 W’s PowerPoint. Liberty University.
Jesus-Centered Bible. Group Publishing Inc, 2015.
23
Barna, George. Growing True Disciples. (Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press, 2001), 107.
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