JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Written Assignment: What is a Small Group
Submitted to Dr. Dempsey /Professor
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 630 – D01
Small Group Ministries
by
Shaneil A. Guidry
November 20, 2022
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………3
Arnold’s Eye Opener…………………………….…………………………………3
The Interworkings of the Small Group………………….………………………….5
Cell Group…………………………………………………………………………..7
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………..8
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………10
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Introduction
Small groups have been apart of our societal make up for centuries. This concept is not a
new terminology, nor is it assigned to a particular religion, industry, or even academia setting.
The myth or myths of small groups are quickly dispelled by the clear and detailed definition, as
well as examples provided by four authors referenced in this paper to give readers a more
comprehensive understanding of what can actually classify a small group.
From these four authors, this paper will utilize three of the authors’ books and one
author’s research findings as the foundation to provide a comprehensive understanding of “what
is a small groups” and what a small group may look like to church organizations. “The Big Book
on Small Groups” by author Jeffery Arnold, “Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiply Small
Groups” by authors Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, and the research on “Cell Basics” by author
Joel Comiskey are the selected references that will be the supportive documentation for this
paper. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the small groups arguments made by our
selected authors with a goal of providing the connection between small groups and church
ministries.
Arnold’s Eye Opener
Author Jeffery Arnolds immediately opens the eyes of his readers just as he did during
his simplistic, as well as brief presentation to a room full of pastors on the topic of small groups.
Bringing a level of clarity as to what classifies a small group exactly is what Arnold believes his
mission to be in the selected reading, “The Big Book on Small Groups.” From the author’s
perspective, the definition of a small group is right before our eyes, however, its simplistic
definition continues to allude many. “Small groups: clusters of people, usually ranging in size
(give or take a few loners) from two to six.
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The same dynamic tends to hold true for informal gatherings of friends, for committee or
service team dynamics, and even (in congregations with predictable worship patterns) for people
who sit near each other in sanctuaries, week in and week out.”1 Once ensuring that he has
provided clarity on the label “small group”, the writer argues the points of what it takes to make
a strong small group; especially within ministries.
A word is jolted at the readers of, “The Big Book on Small Group” and that word is
“cliques.” Jeffery Arnold quickly announces that too often we cannot distinguish between a
clique and a small group within our ministries. These small group or clique within our ministries
look no different than the ones within the secular setting. While the word clique can carry a
negative connotation, there are many ministries that have more cliques within their churches than
effective small groups. Leaders must become very familiar with the small groups within their
ministries, as these are catalysis to building strong disciple-makers with the intentions of
enhancing the kingdom of God.
Within the first chapter of “The Big Book on Small Group” Arnold would like for readers
to hold tight to just how powerful small groups can be. So ensuring that productive small groups
are being developed is so imperative, as it can tear down a ministry just as it can build up a
ministry. God has called us to be disciple-makers and leaders must grasp that their small groups
within their ministries should have this requirement embedded within the foundation of their
small groups. “Thus, all disciples of Christ have been entrusted with the gospel message, which
they are to continually invest in the lives of others. Rather than ending with us, the process must
begin anew with us, as with each new generation.”2
1 Arnold. The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition).10.
2 Ibid., 22.
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The take home message that Arnold brings to the table is that while small groups are
essential to bringing like-minded individuals together, whether through marriage, mental health,
singles, youth, etc., it’s ultimate purpose is to provide spiritual growth that would develop them
into disciples of Christ. “Similarly, body life assumes the bringing together of unique Christians
working for a common goal—to be and make disciples. The ideal group engages each member in
discipleship while encouraging each individual to make a positive contribution for the growth of
others.”3 Author Jeffery conveys that we need to be intentional in this task and that intentionality
will them cascade onto those within our small groups.
The Interworkings of the Small Group
Author Arnolds helped to clear up the misleading definition of small groups within
church ministries, so when now turn to Dempsey and Earley’s interworkings of what small
groups within ministry should comprise of; the meat and potatoes, if you will. With that stated,
we must start with the leadership role within the small group. Ensure that a capable Holy Spirit
filled leaders are overseeing small groups within one’s ministry is so imperative to the health of
the ministry. “In order for a group to be successful, the leader of the group needs to view their
role as drawing out the new creation that God has in mind for every individual in the group.
When you do this, then your group is led by a true leader.”4
Understanding that the lead needs to be spirit-led and understanding that the true mission
is to draw individuals within the small group closer to Christ, then Dempsey and Early bring to
light the organization of the group. Structuring one’s small group is important to the
effectiveness of the group to those in attendance. Ensuring regularly scheduled meeting times,
making the Bible the key teaching tool, helping those to tap into their spiritual gifts,
3 Ibid., 28.
4 Ibid., 31-32.
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implementing corporate prayer, and building disciples-makers within the group that would give
the confidence to invite others (unchurched) to receive salvation.
Authors Dempsey and Earley presents readers with the five W’s of Healthy Small
Groups. These five W’s are habits in which Dempsey and Earley believes that leaders should
grab hold of, as they will assist with they health of their small groups. The five W’s are
Welcome, Worship, Word, Witness, and Work. Each of these elements can form a very strong
and effective group when implemented. Realism is brought before the readers with Dempsey
and Earley presents the opposite of healthy; diseased. “By studying cell group and small group
ministry and thinking through my own experience, I identified five practices that made the
difference between health and disease, effectiveness and ineffectiveness.”5 It becomes fair to
state that if a ministries small groups are not rooted, they can easily be uprooted.
A small group is essentially the building of community, a sense of togetherness that seeks
after the same goal, respect all that are apart of the group, and discipleship. With small groups
there is a mandate for rapport, as it is crucial to the dynamic of the group. “The Bible supplies
the clearest guidelines for how to develop community in your group. Small groups will
experience dynamic community by obeying the “one another” commands found in the New
Testament.”6 However, it goes beyond the building of the community, there is the maintaining of
the community. Just like any family, there will be conflicts, there will be disagreements, and
even anger that may rear its ugly head. Despite these negative encounter, this family’s dynamic
should not be waivered by those encounters. Positive and effective communication will enable
those within the community to speak to those conflicts and hurts, which enables God to work in
the mist of that chaos. There will be times when forgiveness will need to be given, resolutions
5 Ibid., 36.
6 Ibid., 38.
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will need to be talked through, pride will need to take a backseat, submissiveness maybe needed,
and serving those that had wronged you maybe required. Understanding that this doesn’t lessen
who you are, it does however, shows a spiritual growth spike and that’s what’s pleasing to God.
As for Dempsey and Earley, their key takeaway is that Christ needs to be the center of it
all. Christ needs to be the primary focal point of the small group. When Christ is placed in the
center, it does not matter as to what the enemy may throw or try to attack a ministry’s small
group with, that group will understand that they must remain steadfast and unmoveable because
they are victory through Christ. “Your job as a small group leader is to glue people to the Word
of God and to relationships and the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.”7
Cell Group
In the research findings of Comiskey, readers learn of the differences and similarities
between the cell group and the small group. Regardless of their relationship, both of these
groups are becoming more and more present within church ministries. “When someone
mentions a cell, what registers is a Bible study, a social gathering, a Sunday school class or
anything else (as long as it’s small and a group).”8 Cell groups tend to have a more strict
approach than that of the small group. According to Comiskey, in ordered to be considered a cell
groups, the group obtain everyone of the following components: Discipleship, Penetration
Evangelism, Multiplication, and Regularity. If the group does not contain all of these
components they are to be considered a small group. “If another small group in the church
doesn’t mesh with these given components, I refuse to call it a life-giving cell. I simply call it a
ministry and then seek to integrate it (or delete it) into the cell system.”9
7 Ibid., 60-61.
8 Comiskey. Cell Basics. Para. 3
9 Ibid., Para. 5
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Author Joel Comiskey has indicated that his passion to clarify between the two (small
groups and cell groups) is to ensure the security of future generation’s salvation. Within
Comiskey’s research, it was found that individuals that were apart of small groups that were
lacking the above components, were also lacking spiritual growth. “My passion is for future
generations. It’s for those who follow the quasi cell models, only later to discover that the people
are not experiencing true body life, penetrating evangelism, and effective leadership
development.” Joel Comiskey reminds us that not everything needs to be altered, as too many
alteration can and is messing up the body of Christ. If we just stick to the basics and ensure that
ministries are truly aligning with the word of God, as well as developing disciple-makers— then
we know that we are honor God with our obedience.
Conclusion
As this paper has combed through the arguments of such wonderful authors, it would be
safe to say that readers have been provided with food for thought. The power of a small group or
cell group reminds outstanding, especially when it is rooted in Christ. Each author assisted with
bringing the full layout of the small group to life by way of their experiences, their spiritual
knowledge, and their passion to keep God at the nucleus of it all.
Fully grasping the concept that discipleship is the first priority and if that component is
missing, then the terminology “clique” may be the appropriate label for the small groups within
one’s ministry. Arnold, Dempsey, Earley, and Comiskey challenges leadership to take a good
hard look at what they define as a small group or cell group. If they are not seeing those
components that align with Christ, they may want to make the necessary adjustments, as spiritual
grown and disciple-making can be in jeopardy within one’s ministry.
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Bibliography
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
9
Comiskey, Joel. “What’s a Cell Group? Cell Basics.” CellChurchTalk, January 2022.
doi:https://joelcomiskeygroup.com/en/resources/cell_basics/en_whatisacellgroup/.
Dempsey, Rod, and Dave Earley. Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small Groups.
Lynchburg, Va: Liberty University Press, 2016.
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