DSMN 630-B02
Small Group Ministries
Dr. Andy Gowins
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
Sabrina Mawyer
February 3, 2019
Cliques and small groups are not the same thing. There are several differences between
these types of groups. While they may appear to be similar, going beneath the surface will reveal
the differences. A clique consists of a group of people who are similar in some way. Cliques are
based on superficial similarities which can range from looking similar to having similar interests.
Members of a clique do not have a vested interest in one another. The conversations within a
clique will be superficial and light. Members of a clique are highly unlikely to share intimate
details of their lives with one another.
In contrast, small groups can be made up of groups of people who are similar and those
who are different. Small groups do not exclude because of different looks or interests. Small
groups consist of people from a wide variety of backgrounds. Small groups have people who
engage in meaningful relationships with other members of the small group. Small groups have
people who are willing to share their innermost thoughts and feelings with each other.
The acrostic G.R.O.U.P. provides a good method for remembering the components that a
successful small group consists of. The “G” stands for guided by a leader. All members of the
group have something important to contribute to the body of Christ. However, there must be a
leader in the group. This leader needs to be spiritually mature and able to help each member to
reach their fullest potential in Christ. A battle of leadership within the group will lead to a lack of
accomplishment within the group. A leader is there to keep the group focused and to shepherd
each group member.1
The “R” stands for regular meeting times. A small group can only grow if there is a
regular time for discipleship. Dempsey recommends that groups meet every two weeks at a
1 Rod Dempsey. (2015). Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups, 1st Edition. [MBS
Direct]. Retrieved from https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/MBS1867516/
minimum, preferably ever week. Weekly meetings provide the small group members with the
opportunity to share concerns and praises from that week. Weekly meetings will help small
group members to grow closer to God and to each other. Small groups should regularly engage in
prayer and worship together. Without regular meetings, small group members can get caught up
in this worldly life which may cause them to distance themselves from God.2
The “O” stands for opening God’s word. Reading God’s Word is essential at every group
meeting. A small group will not be able to encourage one another and to help each other grow
without relying on the Bible. God’s Word is instrumental in helping members of a small group to
grow closer to Jesus. The truths that are found in the Bible are necessary to refute the lies that
small group members may be hearing.
The “U” stands for being united in service. Small groups should be seen committing acts
of service to the Lord. Each member of the small groups has spiritual gifts that should be used in
service. There is a way for each member of the small group to contribute to the success of the
small group with their spiritual gifts. A member with the gift of teaching can lead the Bible study
time for the group. Another member with the gifting of hospitality can host the group in their
home each week. A member with the gift of evangelism can be responsible for planning
strategies that will reach the community. The leader will guide the small group members in using
their spiritual gifts. Each member of the group has an important role to play in the overall
success of the group.3
2 Rod Dempsey. (2015). Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups, 1st Edition. [MBS
Direct]. Retrieved from https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/MBS1867516/
3 Rod Dempsey. (2015). Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups, 1st Edition. [MBS
Direct]. Retrieved from https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/MBS1867516/
The “P” stands for prayer. I consider this to be the most important element of a successful
small group. It is a privilege to pray to God for ways that will further His kingdom. A small
group needs to be committed to praying for one another and praying with each other. Engaging
in prayer is what sets small groups apart from cliques and other social groups. Small groups
know that prayer is the real work and that God is glorified by us going to Him in prayer. God just
might have a major revival start from a simple prayer within the small group setting.4
The first question asked by Arnold is “Are we introducing Christian disciplines into our small
groups?” Christian disciplines are being introduced into our small groups. There are many
disciples of the Christian life that our small groups have learned and are putting into practice.
These disciplines include accountability, serving others, praying and studying the Bible.
Engaging in each of these disciplines is how our small group gives glory to God.
The second question asked is “Are our small groupings building the kingdom or hindering the
kingdom?” Our small groups build up the kingdom of God. Our current small groups pray for
one another, are involved in mission work and actively participate in community outreaches. My
former church had small groups that hindered the kingdom of God with a lack of Bible reading,
lots of cliques and gossip.
The third question is “Are we training leaders who bring Christian disciplines into small
groupings?” Our church trains small group leaders in a specific method of Bible study that we
use within our small groups. Our small group uses the discovery Bible study which contains
several steps that are repeated each week. This Bible study method lends itself to uniformity
which ensures that all of our small groups stay disciplined. Our small group leaders are trained in
4 Rod Dempsey. (2015). Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups, 1st Edition. [MBS
Direct]. Retrieved from https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/MBS1867516/
how to illuminate the spiritual gifts of the members in the small group. All of our small groups
are bathed in prayer and our leaders are taught to open and close sessions in prayer.
Arnold asks, “Is our entire congregation working to develop a disciplined small group
mentality?” Our entire congregation is not working to develop a disciplined small group
mentality. The majority of our church members are not involved in small groups because they do
not have the time, nor do they know how to locate a small group. Our church leaders are working
hard to promote small groups within our church, yet the individual members remain unaware of
the small groups. Our church needs a better method of connecting individual members to small
groups. Also, there should be an emphasis on just how important it is for the church to have
members that belong to a disciplined small group.
The ways that members of a small group interact with each other and the world around
them can be describe with the concepts of inward, outward and upward. Inward is used to
describe how the small group structure benefits the members of the group.5 Inward encompasses
most interactions that people typically think of regarding small groups. Spiritual gifts are
explored and fine-tuned within the small group setting. Leaders emerge as their spiritual gifts are
fine-tuned. These leaders can then split off from the small group and start a new small group
which multiplies the disciples. Another aspect of the inward concept is that small groups are able
to provide comfort and care to group members.
Outward describes how the small group performs service and evangelism.6 Biblical
evangelism occurs between two individuals. A small group is better equipped to facilitate these
5 Jeffrey Arnold. (2004). The big book on small groups. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. 33.
6 Jeffrey Arnold. (2004). The big book on small groups. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. 36.
types of intimate conversations than a large church group. The large church functions best when
small groups make up its foundation. Small groups are beneficial in providing support for people
who would feel lost and alone amidst a large group.
Upward describes how the small group nurtures its people and worships the Lord.7
Upward actions are what transform the members of the group into the image of God. Upward
concepts are focused on the Lord. Engaging in Bible study together encourages spiritual growth
and feeds the believer’s soul. Worship consists of many different things like singing, confessing,
praying and spending quiet time before the Lord. Engaging in these types of activities helps to
cement the bond of the small group and builds the faith of the members.
Our small group engages well with the three concepts of inward, outward and upward. Our small
group members are aware of our spiritual gifts and are learning how to best use them. Our small
group engages in monthly acts of service around our community. Upward is where our small
group excels. We spend the majority of our small group time engaged in prayer, reading the
Word and worshipping the Lord together. Our focus is on God and giving Him all the glory.
Bibliography
7 Jeffrey Arnold. (2004). The big book on small groups. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. 38.
