Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………….………………………….2
House Summary..………………….……………..…..………………..……………..……………2
Earley and Dempsey Summary……………...……….….……..……….…………..……………..3
Importance of Growing a Small Group.……...……..…..………………………….……………..4
Top Suggestions………………..……………………………..………….……...….……………..5
Top Challenges……………………………………………………………………………………6
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………...……….………...6
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………….………………...8
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Introduction
Comfort is something that people search for. It is a habit that humanity falls into, the
same routine and the same group of friends. Being uncomfortable is due to underlying fears.
“Individuals need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” according to Navy SEAL
David Goggins. Leaders of a small group change can cause new issues in an already established
group. It can cause fear, and the group may not expand, causing it to be an inward group. Taking
a look at Jesus, a small group leader, wanted his group to grow, and it did. Even before his
crucifixion, all of his disciples scattered to reach others. However, after Christ's ascension, the
disciples made small groups. The only way the same expansion can be made in small groups
today is by following the top strategies and tackling the top challenges.
House Summary
Brad House is the author of Community: Taking your small group off life support. The
second section of his book is about how to make a healthy community group. House focuses on
five areas: community, neighborhood, spaces, rhythms, and structure. However, this is only
possible depending on the Holy Spirit. For a group to help the community, there needs to be a
clear understanding of the process versus the purpose of the community. Once the purpose is
identified, the group can develop a mission. The mission will allow the group to expand the
Gospel within the surrounding neighborhoods. Expansion means some degree of contextualizing,
either local, generation, neighborhood, or personal. There needs to be a target that the group
wants to identify with. A group can only identify with some.
The United States is a melting pot of cultures, meaning its communities are also entirely
different. Learning intercultural communication can help bridge the gap between cultural
barriers. There are two types of communication: verbal and nonverbal. Nonverbal
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communication includes spaces. When people stand a certain distance apart, it indicates a field of
interaction. People have to feel like they belong before they will believe anything that is trying to
be taught or said. Communication and merging cultures is how a rhythm starts and leads to a
community group with hospitality, fellowship, and hospitality. Jesus could blend the different
cultures, and so can group leaders.
Earley and Dempsey Summary
Section six of Earley and Dempsey's book Leading Small Groups discusses how to grow
a healthy group. According to Earley and Dempsey, group growth and multiplying should be the
goals of a small group leader. The development and leaders of a small group should always start
in prayer. It will also begin with a dream. When a leader has a dream, it will help them hold on
when things seem harsh and they want to lose sight of why they started the group. However,
prayer should always be the first and foremost thing done by any leader and group.
Growing a group is an impossible endeavor. To start, members would reach out to those
they are closest to. It is easy to assume what a person may say, so a member may avoid inviting a
person. However, an invitation should always be extended. Inviting people gives them an option
to come or not to come. It takes the assumption away from the member. Earley and Dempsey
also cover the critical ways to fill chairs and keep the group growing. They encourage leaders to
communicate by contacting people, preparing, and never underestimating. The last area that they
cover is the area of personal growth. As a group leader, I know it is vital to grow others. This is
one of many growths that should be achieved; the leader should complete personal development.
A leader can feel fulfilled with personal growth, and the group will thrive.
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Importance of Growing a Small Group
If a person does something exciting or goes and eats at a new restaurant and loves it, what
will that person do? Will they keep it for themselves or tell everyone about the fun and loving
experience? An open group allows members to go out and talk about the fun that they have in the
group. While the people might not join the exact group, it may interest them in searching for a
small group in their church. Small groups need to be open groups. Open to new people
consistently coming into the Christian community where they can see and hear about Christ
among friends.1 As a leader, the door of the small group should be a revolving door. People
leaving who will further their nurturing, people starting their groups, and new people coming
through the door to learn.
The most effective and healthy groups emphasize multiplying leaders and forming new
groups from the existing group.2 Growing a group means that there will be the ability to meet
and greet new people, which is part of the regular rhythm of life. According to the Verge
Network, there are 25 ways to meet new people and expand the group in the community. A few
of these ways coincide with Early and Dempsey’s theory that “God enjoys a good party.” God
does. In Acts 2:14-42, Peter and the apostles had a party, and at the end of the party, a sum of
3,000 were baptized and added to the church. However, food is the best way to a person's heart
in many cultures. Jesus had food with many sinners, and they changed their ways, so we should
do the same. Whether in small one-on-one meetings or big parties.
The growth of a small group follows what Christ told us to do. Go forth and bear fruit
(John 15:16). To bear fruit in an orchard or garden, a plant has to be nurtured and tended to. Only
the best fruit from the best plant will the seeds be harvested from, and then new plants will be
1 Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 111.
2 Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 112.
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grown. The cycle continues until the plants and seeds are so strong that they can be given to the
community. The same thing applies to small groups. Growth is vital for the leader, the church,
the members, and the community. Without it, what is the point of a group?
Top Suggestions
Although there are many ideas on how to grow a group, a few suggestions are the best.
The first suggestion is a good party. Everyone loves parties—Well, just about everyone loves a
good party. Parties are a great way to get people together and socialize, and making them theme-
related makes them more enjoyable. Many people have a relational void or hole in their hearts.
People come to small groups to fill that social void in their lives.3 These voids are filled by
parties or social gatherings outside small group meetings. It makes people feel like they belong
to something meaningful for the hierarchy of needs.
The second suggestion for growing a small group is to look at personal social groups.
Parties are great and can include people from social groups, but some prefer small gatherings.
These people need a more direct approach. This can include inviting friends or family for dinner
or even a game night. There could even be a meet-up for coffee at the library. It is all about
making people feel included and safe. Reaching out to people for small gatherings could consist
of people as clothes as our neighbors.
The final suggestion for growing a small group is through volunteer work. Volunteering
gives ample opportunity to talk to others about leading a small group. Volunteering to carpool,
do little league activities, attend school events, etc. There are always moments to talk about God
without going door to door (which is illegal in some places). The possibilities are endless when it
comes to impacting the community. The goal is to bring people to find the spiritually dead and
bring them to Christ. At the same time, we nurture those at different stages of their spiritual
3 Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 138.
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maturity. On a personal note, this is a weak area for me. I can do all the planning and assemble a
group, but growing it will be the hardest part. I am not a social butterfly. That is my husband.
Top Challenges
Everything in life comes with challenges; nothing is ever easy. I mentioned that talking to
strangers is optional, which is a challenge. Even though talking to new people is unimportant, I
still try. I do not get discouraged when I fail. When growing a group and developing leaders, we
tend to put pressure on ourselves. Leaders have to understand that there are others when
developing leaders. Knowing it is only partially up to us to develop leaders is a huge relief.4 If
we do not take personal pride in developing leaders and giving the glory to God, the same thing
applies when we fail to produce leaders. Everything happens in God’s time, not our own.
Leaders have to sit back and let God be in control.
Another challenge that arises when trying to grow groups is groups growing stagnant. To
avoid becoming ingrown, stagnant, and exclusive, the relationship should have a definite starting
and stopping point.5 Groups get comfortable with being the way they are. Why invite anyone in
if that will mess up the status quo and the flow of the group? Family-style groups used to be
expected in small groups. However, this style of the group dies. It is the end of the family line,
like when a male does not have a son to carry on his last name. Without a goal to focus the group
outward, it can become an inward family group with a short lifespan. Initially, the goals of
expanding the group must be known so all members can do their part.
Conclusion
Growing a small group can be a frightening yet exciting development process. Change
can be uncomfortable, especially since we like to feel comfortable and stable. Growth is part of
4 Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 141.
5 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press, 2017), 78.
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the process when the apprentice gets to start a group of their own, just like a parent who sends
their kid off to college. It is sad to watch them go, but it is exciting to see what they will do next.
Growth is vital for small groups so they do not become stagnant, form inward, and die. Trust the
process and have faith in God. It will all work in his time.
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