Written Assignment: How To Grow A Small Group
LaRonda Perrien-Massey
DSMN630: Small Group Ministries
April 28, 2024
Contents
House Summary.............................................................................................................................1
Demspey and Earley Summary....................................................................................................2
Importance of Growing A Small Group......................................................................................3
Suggestions For Growing A Small Group...................................................................................4
Pray Intentionally.................................................................................................................5
Foster a Culture of Invitation and Hospitality.....................................................................5
Engage in Missional Living.................................................................................................5
Challenges with Growing A Small Group...................................................................................6
Retention and Engagement..................................................................................................6
Outreach and Invitations......................................................................................................6
Mission and Impact..............................................................................................................7
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................8
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House Summary
In chapters 4-7 of "Community: Taking Your Small Group off Life Support," Brad House
explores the dynamics and principles of fostering genuine community within small groups.
Chapter 4 focuses on the importance of trust as the foundation of authentic relationships within a
group. House emphasizes the significance of vulnerability and transparency in building trust
among members, highlighting the necessity of creating a safe space where individuals feel
comfortable sharing their struggles and experiences. House also spends a great deal of Chapter 4
challenging leaders and readers alike to “Hit control-alt-delete on your default picture of small
groups, and let’s start looking at them differently.”1
Moving forward, Chapter 5 explores the concept of accountability within the context of
small groups. House underscores the role of accountability in nurturing spiritual growth and
personal development among members. By holding each other accountable in love and grace,
group members can encourage one another to live out their faith and uphold moral standards.
Chapter 6 digs into the significance of conflict resolution within small groups.
Recognizing that conflicts are inevitable in any community setting, House provides practical
strategies for resolving disputes in a healthy and constructive manner. By promoting open
communication, active listening, and humility, groups can navigate conflicts effectively and
emerge stronger as a result.
Finally, Chapter 7 examines the concept of mission within small groups. House
emphasizes the importance of outward-focused community engagement and service as integral
components of group identity and purpose. By actively participating in outreach activities and
1 Brad House, Community: Taking Your Small Group off Life Support (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011), 88.
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serving others in their community, small groups can make a positive impact and fulfill their
mission of embodying Christ's love to the world.
Demspey and Earley Summary
"Leading the Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups" by Dave Earley and Rod
Dempsey offers comprehensive guidance on nurturing vibrant small group communities. In
Section Six, titled "How to Grow a Healthy Group," Demsey and Earley delve into essential
strategies for fostering growth and sustainability within small groups.
The section begins by emphasizing the importance of prayer as the foundation for group
growth. By seeking God's guidance and intervention, leaders can cultivate an atmosphere of
spiritual vitality and reliance on Godly wisdom. Additionally, the authors stress the significance
of cultivating a vision for the group's growth and impact. Articulating a compelling vision
inspires members to actively engage in the group's mission and objectives, fostering a sense of
purpose and unity. “When your vision is clear, your members can follow you. Make sure that
you, as the leader, see the vision first, farther and clearer than anyone else! When you have a
clear picture of where you want to go and how you want to get there, then there is no stopping
what you can accomplish.”2
Effective communication emerges as a critical component of group health and growth.
Leaders are encouraged to prioritize clear and transparent communication channels to ensure that
members feel heard, valued, and connected. Moreover, the authors provide insights into
decision-making processes within small groups, advocating for collaborative and inclusive
approaches that honor diverse perspectives and foster consensus. The authors give leaders the
blueprint for effective habits that work to grow small groups. They are
2 Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 112.
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1. Dream of leading a healthy, growing, multiplying group.
2. Pray for your group members daily.
3. Invite new people to visit your group weekly.
4. Contact your group members regularly.
5. Prepare for your group meeting.
6. Mentor an apprentice leader.
7. Plan group fellowship activities.
8. Be committed to your own personal growth.3
Conflict resolution is addressed as an inevitable aspect of group dynamics. By equipping
leaders with practical strategies for managing conflicts with grace and humility, the section
underscores the importance of promoting reconciliation and preserving the unity of the group.
Discipleship and leadership development are highlighted as key priorities for group
growth. Leaders are encouraged to invest in the spiritual formation of members, providing
opportunities for mentorship and equipping individuals to take on leadership roles within the
group. This intentional focus on discipleship empowers members to grow in their faith and
actively contribute to the group's vitality and effectiveness.
Lastly, the section explores strategies for multiplying small groups to expand their reach
and impact. By identifying and training potential leaders, launching new groups with
intentionality, and maintaining a culture of multiplication, leaders can ensure the ongoing growth
and sustainability of their small group ministry.
Importance of Growing A Small Group
Small groups play a pivotal role in fostering spiritual growth, authentic community, and
mission engagement according to various resources, including "Leading the Healthy, Growing,
Multiplying Small Groups" by Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey and "Community: Taking Your
Small Group off Life Support" by Brad House. These books emphasize the significance of small
3 Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 114.
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groups as micro-communities where individuals can experience genuine relationships,
accountability, and support in their faith journey.
In small groups, members have the opportunity to share their joys, struggles, and doubts
in a safe and nurturing environment. Through vulnerability and transparency, trust is cultivated,
leading to deeper connections and spiritual growth. Small group settings provide space for
prayer, study of Scripture, and discussion of relevant topics, facilitating personal transformation
and discipleship.
Moreover, small groups serve as hubs for mission and outreach. They offer a platform for
members to live out their faith tangibly by serving and loving their neighbors. The "Verge
Networks 25 Simple Ways to be Missional in Your Neighborhood" and "10 Simple Ways to be
More Missional in Your Community" resources echo this sentiment, highlighting practical ways
individuals can engage with their neighborhoods and communities through acts of kindness,
hospitality, and intentional relationships.
By participating in small groups, individuals not only experience spiritual growth and
community but also become empowered to live missionally in their everyday lives. Through
collective efforts and shared vision, small groups become catalysts for positive change,
impacting not only the lives of their members but also their surrounding neighborhoods and
communities. In essence, small groups serve as vital conduits for experiencing and extending
God's love, grace, and transformative power in the world.
Suggestions For Growing A Small Group
Drawing from the content of the books "Leading the Healthy, Growing, Multiplying
Small Groups" and "Community: Taking Your Small Group off Life Support," as well as
insights from the Verge Networks resources on missional living, here are my three suggestions
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for growing a small group:
Pray Intentionally
Make prayer a central focus of your small group's growth strategy. Encourage members
to pray regularly for the group's health, unity, and outreach efforts. Additionally, consider
setting aside specific times during group meetings to pray for each other's needs, the
community, and opportunities for mission and service. By seeking God's guidance and
provision through prayer, leaders and group members alike invite His transformative power into
the life of their small group, fostering spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
Foster a Culture of Invitation and Hospitality
Encourage existing members to invite friends, family, and neighbors to join the group.
Create a welcoming and inclusive environment where newcomers feel valued and accepted.
Emphasize the importance of hospitality by hosting social events, meals, or gatherings outside
of regular meetings to facilitate relationship-building and community bonding. By extending
warmth and hospitality to others, the group will create opportunities for new connections and
growth within the group.
Engage in Missional Living
Equip and empower small group members to live missionally in their everyday lives.
Encourage individuals to identify and pursue opportunities for serving and loving their
neighbors and communities. Use resources like the Verge Networks' suggestions for simple
ways to be missional in your neighborhood or community as inspiration for collective outreach
efforts. By engaging in acts of kindness, generosity, and intentional relationships outside of the
group, members not only demonstrate God's love in practical ways but also attract others to the
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community and its mission.
Implementing these suggestions can help cultivate a thriving and growing small group
community that is rooted in prayer, hospitality, and missional living. By intentionally focusing
on these areas, leaders create an environment where individuals can experience genuine
relationships, spiritual growth, and meaningful engagement in God's mission.
Challenges with Growing A Small Group
Retention and Engagement
Retaining members and keeping them engaged can be a significant challenge for small
group leaders. Members may face competing priorities or fluctuating schedules, making it
challenging to maintain consistent attendance and participation. Additionally, some
individuals may struggle to connect deeply with the group or feel hesitant to open up due to
trust issues or personal barriers. Overcoming these challenges requires intentional efforts to
foster a sense of belonging and community within the group, as well as providing
opportunities for meaningful involvement and spiritual growth.
Outreach and Invitations
Another challenge is effectively reaching out to new potential members and inviting them to
join the group. In many cases, there may be hesitancy or fear among existing members to extend
invitations, or uncertainty about how to approach newcomers. Additionally, cultural or social
barriers may exist that make it difficult to connect with certain demographic groups or
communities. Overcoming these challenges requires equipping and empowering group members
to confidently reach out and invite others, as well as cultivating a culture of hospitality and
inclusion that attracts newcomers to the group.
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Mission and Impact
Growing a small group involves more than just increasing numbers; it also entails
making a meaningful impact on the lives of members and the surrounding community. However,
it can be challenging to maintain a focus on mission and outreach amidst the demands of regular
group meetings and activities. Additionally, there may be uncertainty or lack of clarity about
how to effectively engage in mission and service opportunities. Overcoming these challenges
requires intentional leadership that prioritizes mission and equips group members to live out their
faith in practical ways. This may involve providing resources, training, and support for missional
living, as well as creating opportunities for collective outreach efforts that align with the group's
vision and values.
By addressing these challenges with wisdom, creativity, and perseverance, small group
leaders can overcome obstacles to growth and create thriving communities that make a
meaningful difference in the lives of members and beyond.
Bibliography
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Dempsey, Rod and Earley, Dave. Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups
(Wordsearch, 2018).
Demspey, Rod. Transitioning To Small Groups?: DSMN630 Lecture Notes (Lynchburg, VA)
accessed April 28th, 2024.
House, Brad. Community: Taking Your Small Group off Life Support (Wheaton, IL: Crossway,
2011).
Verge Network. "25 Simple Ways to Be Missional in Your Neighborhood." Verge Network.
August 23, 2011. https://vergenetwork.org/2011/08/23/25-simple-ways-to-be-missional-
in-your-neighborhood/.
Verge Network. "10 Simple Ways to Be Missional in Your City (Part 1)." Verge Network.
October 11, 2011. https://vergenetwork.org/2011/10/11/10-simple-ways-to-be-missional-
in-your-city-part-1/.
