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LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
HOW TO LEAD A GROUP
Submitted to Dr. <Insert Name>
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN - 630
Small Group Ministries
by
Antuan Harris
June 14, 2022
Contents
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Introduction
Outline and step to starting group
The first step to start in a small group is to find out who is willing to follow you, and the
best place to start is in prayer. When we look at the example of Jesus, we saw that he sought God
help and putting together his group of disciples. This is also Helps ask to remember whose
ministry it is and who is ultimately in charge of everything that goes on within the ministry. The
next step is to begin to invite members to the group, weather through one-on-one conversations
or maybe the group members are chosen by the church. After that the only thing left to do is to
develop a covenant which helps to define the purpose and identity of the group.
Importance of a group covenant
A small group covenant is important because it helps to clarify the main agendas the
leader or the leadership team wants to achieve. This may take the group several months to put
this together, however, to not do so is to have a group that is unclear about its purpose and never
grows and multiplies. So, a leader that want to maximize the effectiveness of their group, it is
wise to develop a short and complete group covenant. A covenant helps the group distinguish
itself and its purpose, as well as holding the individuals of the group accountable. According to
Arnold, “Covenants stipulate the mutual expectations and responsibilities involved when we
participate in a transaction or relationship between at least two parties. When covenant writing is
part of a healthy group pattern, everyone is allowed equal input, and the success of the group
ultimately lies with each individual attempting to meet the expectations laid down and agreed to
by all.”1 There are ten elements of a covenant. The first is:
1 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press, 2017), 67.
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1. The Covenant of Priority, which is setting aside time in your schedule to attend the
group when it is time to do so and to be on time.
2. The Covenant of Prayer; this is shouldering the responsibility of praying for every
member of the group and also praying that God will grow that group each week.
3. The Covenant of Outreach, this is making a commitment to encourage the group to be
disciple makers, and for oneself to be a disciple maker.
4. The Covenant of Growth, the covenant of growth is for every member of the group to
seek to grow both spiritually and physically and in all other areas of their life, so as to help the
group to mature and multiply.
5. The Covenant of Openness, this is a covenant of honest, openness, and transparency.
To make this component is to say that I cannot do it by myself and therefore shared with the
members of the groups are sure that I do not have to struggle by myself.
6. The Covenant of Multiplication, this is taking on the responsibility off doing 1's duty to
the Kingdom and to the group. It is helping the leaders and fellow members of the group to
mature and multiply.
7. The Covenant of Availability, this is making time for the group and its members and to
be willing to share insights and resources that is beneficial to the group.
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8. The Covenant of Confidentiality, this covenant ensures that members R relaxed and
feel that the information shared in the group stays within the group. This helps the group to be
more open and honest and transparent when it comes to sharing uncomfortable or shameful
information.
9. The Covenant of Accountability, this comment is helpful in looking out for each other,
especially in moments of weakness whatever that may be.
10. The Covenant of Love, this covenant is for those of the group to seek to exercise the
heart of Christ. For this covenant it's for the members to love one another through all their
shortcomings.
According to Dempsey, “When these ten covenant points are covered early and often in a
small group, they dramatically increase the clarity and harmony of the group.”2
Types of small groups
There are six types of groups, you have the cell group, discipleship group and ministry
group. Also, there is affinity group, house church, and special needs group. The first group who
will look at is the cell group; This group welcomes all believers in the church that are willing to
mature and fulfill the disciplines required by the group. According to Arnold, “The group
typically gathers for the purpose of community building, personal and corporate growth, and
ultimately, multiplication.”3 cell groups are very common in churches because of their gold of
evangelism missions and multiplication. This is done through focusing on personal and corporate
development community building Bible study worship and prayer.
2 Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 90.
3 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press, 2017), 77.
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The next group is the discipleship group; Arnold states, “The word discipleship means
different things to different people. My emphasis is on the intense relationship that Jesus had
with his disciples. A discipleship group tends to be small (two to four members) and focused on
personal and spiritual growth. It is ministry-oriented only in the sense that those who have been
“discipled” are free to go forth and minister because they have been empowered in their
relationship to God and others.”4 like the cell group the discipleship group usually focuses on
individual growth community building along with Bible study worship and prayer. This group
attracts those who are serious about their faith and are willing to make commitment and be held
accountable. “Discipleship groups are very exciting, transforming lukewarm Christians into
people of God. To avoid becoming ingrown, stagnant and exclusive, there should be a definite
starting and stopping point to the relationship.”5
The next group is the ministry group. This group main focus is ministry, evangelism and
missions. However these groups have to be properly organized or else they lose focus or
direction. According to Arnold, “Church committees (like the mission committee, evangelism
and discipleship committees, or Christian education committee) can become ministry groups by
reorienting their typical ministry focus to include discipleship-community building for member-
equipping purposes. Small groups can form or reform for the purpose of evangelism or mission.
This group type is for those who have a burden to make a difference for Christ in the world.”6
this group must have strong leaders who lead with vision for both discipleship and outreach.
Every member of the group helps to formulate the vision for the group and is responsible for
carrying out that vision.
4 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press, 2017), 77.
5 Ibid 77.
6 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press, 2017), 78.
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The next group is the special needs group. According to Arnold, “The church can be
viewed as a hospital, helping people to become whole in relation to self, others and God.
Special-needs groups place the primary emphasis on this kind of relational and emotional
healing.”7 The main focus of this group is community building individual growth and healing
Bible study worship and prayer as well as outreach to those who are broken. In this group you
usually will find people who are addicts to one vice or another. “Observing the explosion of 12-
step groups across the country, it is obvious that important needs are being met. Churches can
become involved by initiating Christian special-needs groups, building a bridge from the church
to a community in need. Over time, people in 12-step groups can be assimilated into a church.”8
The next group is an affinity group which is a group of people of like minded interests
and characteristics. Such as young mothers teachers young people singles and business
professionals. The focus of this group is individual growth community building as well as Bible
study worship prayer and evangelism even missions. According to Arnold, “A group like this has
the same strengths and weaknesses as a cell group. In addition, there is the added strength that
comes from sharing the Christian life with others who can understand. The affinity group’s
strength is also its weakness. If people only get together with others of similar circumstance,
much of the learning that could take place in the church is stunted. You can learn just as much, if
not more, from those in different situations.”9
7 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press, 2017), 78–79.
8 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press, 2017), 79.
9 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press,
2017), 80.
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The last group is the house church which is a group our church that is held in a home.
This group usually includes full worship services end times of fellowship, leader of this group
usually becomes the church pastor which is the position of honor and responsibility. Anyone who
wishes to join this group is welcomed To do so because the focus of this group is to mature in
Christ. “A well-planned, member-involving worship service can be valuable for stimulating
Christian growth. On the negative side, the potential exists for the “spectator complex” to take
over, thus inhibiting the small group’s natural ability to engage all members in Christian growth
and learning.”10
Right now I am a part of a ministry group which is a young adult group that seeks to
bring it together young adults with the focus of growing in Christ and winning souls for the
Kingdom. However my desire is to start a who group and to plan churches. I desire to see
Christians live a life of freedom in Christ, to be completely sold out for the gospel come on and
hungry for a revival in this generation.
10 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press, 2017), 80.
