LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Analysis Paper I
Submitted to Dr. Garner, in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the completion of the course
DSMN 630 – B02
Small Group Ministries Paper
by
Tina E. Carter
September 09, 2017
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................1
What are the Primary Passages that form a Small Group Ministry and Explanation........2-4
What Type of Church Structure are you in Currently?..........................................................4-5
What is the Small Group Structure (i.e. “with”/“of”/“is”).....................................................5-6
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................6
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................7
i1
Introduction
Since the author has been studying Small Group Ministries she has noticed that the Bible
is the heart for everything that is to take place whether it is to spread the gospel, make disciples,
or multiply it is all to be done according to the passages of God’s Holy word. Nothing has
meaning or approval without God as stated in Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be
impossible.”1 In this paper the author will be writing about the primary passages that form a
Small Group Ministry; while giving explanations of the principles derived from said passages;
talk about the type of church structure she is currently in; and discuss the Small Group structure
“with”, “of”, and “is”. In her conclusion she will help you see that Small Group Ministries are
the best possible way to multiply disciples and churches as long as it is God’s will.
_______________________________
1 Unless otherwise stated, all biblical references will be from the King James Version Bible (Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 1992), 1275.
1
2
What are the Primary Passages that Form a Small Group Ministry and Explanation
According to Comiskey2 the primary passage that forms a Small Group Ministry is Acts
2:42-47 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking
of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were
done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold
their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they,
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat
their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the
people. And the LORD added to the church daily such as should be saved.”3 Which is talking
about Christ’s followers (disciples) giving up their worldly belongings and going with Him
willingly. They worshiped daily in temples and houses while Christ was saving souls. The next
passage comes from Acts 20:20 “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that
would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.”4 Here Paul
shows us that he has been minister from house to house to the Jews and Greeks alike in Ephesus
to spread the gospel through Small Group Ministry.
____________________________________
2 Joel Comiskey, “Biblical Foundations for the Cell-Based Church New Testament Insights for the
21stCentury Church.” (Peabody: CCS Publishing, 2012), 29.
3Unless otherwise stated, all biblical references will be from the King James Version Bible (Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 1990), 1366.
4 Unless otherwise stated, all biblical references will be from the King James Version Bible (Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 1990), 1397.
3
What are the Primary Passages that Form a Small Group Ministry and Explanation cont.
In Acts 12:12 “When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother
of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.”5 We find that the
God sent an angel to release Peter from Herod’s prison and he went to let the other disciples
know by showing up at the daily prayer meeting at Mark’s mother’s house. In 1Corinthians 1:2,
10-17 “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus,
called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both
theirs and ours: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all
speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you,
my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I
of Christ. Is Christ divided ? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of
Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that
I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I
know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the
gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”6 We
find that Paul preached in the house of Chloè and Steph´anas which were a couple of his Small
Group Ministry houses to meet in at Corinth. He stated to not let anything or anyone divide their
beliefs and stay united with each other and Christ remain together in brotherly love and prayer so
that God’s word would continue on.
____________________________________
5Unless otherwise stated, all biblical references will be from the King James Version Bible (Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 1990), 1383.
6Unless otherwise stated, all biblical references will be from the King James Version Bible (Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 1990), 1431.
4
What are the Primary Passages that Form a Small Group Ministry and Explanation cont.
In this final passage Mark10:29-31“And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you,
There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or
children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this
time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions;
and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.”7 In
this final passage we find that Christ is telling us that there is nothing too great that we must give
up or sacrifice on this earth that we won’t be rewarded in Heaven for following Him and doing
his holy works.
____________________________________
7 Unless otherwise stated, all biblical references will be from the King James Version Bible (Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 1990), 1261.
What Type of Church Structure are you in Currently?
The current church structure the author has is one with multiple pastors and deacons so it
would be an organic hybrid. The church location would be one of a hybrid because many of the
members and pastors go through out the communities to other churches as well spreading the
word. The complexity would be traditional Baptist. Evangelism would be attractional also the
church is about saving souls but definitely about getting people in the church. Discipleship this
would definitely be hybrid because it is traditional and attractional but, it is also organic I say
this because the Bible study lessons are Organic on Wednesday nights whereas the Sunday
school lessons are more attractional. Small Groups we have organic and hybrid Small Groups.
Change is tolerated but not well received within the church and community making it hybrid.
Attendees are encouraged to become self-feeders so attractional. The church falls within the
5
What Type of Church Structure are you in Currently?
organic realm for gifts as that is always acceptable. Preaching is hybrid but not light as the
pastors do not preach lightly. Growth engine is organic while the budget is hybrid. The worship
is also hybrid and prayer is traditional. The leadership in the author’s church is organic and the
leadership development is hybrid. The Senior Pastor is hybrid and her staff is traditional. The
Saints’ role are organic and their attitude are organic. The training is hybrid and the personal goal
is traditional, attractional and organic but it says the fall back is hybrid. The Church’s missions is
organic as well as the multiplication and church planting.
________________________________
8 Rick Garner, “Lecture Notes: Church Structure Chart.” Electronic Ed. (Liberty University Resources,
2014) accessed September 08, 2017.
What is the Small Group Structure (i.e. “with”/“of”/“is”)
In the author’s church the Small Group Structure (Is) the Leader equips the saints to
accomplish the Great Commission. The Senior Pastor leads a group and talks about a group life
often (Is). Pastor’s role as a shepherd taking care of her sheep (With). Small Group (Of) Building
and community focused “Our church meets here and we are in the community”. Church’s goal;
Preach the gospel and make disciples (Of). Preaching: Toward the believer usually exegetical
(Is). Evangelism: Attractional (“Invest and Invite”) (Of). Discipleship: 8-week coursetaught by
the Pastor (maybe once a year) (With). Prayer: Happens at the church (With). Missions:
Offerings taken and shipped to a mission organization (With). Growth: “Outside In” Focus on
quantity and hope for quality (Of). Gifts: All essential-Body Life emphasized (Is).
6
What is the Small Group Structure (i.e. “with”/“of”/“is”)
Training: To run the Sunday morning programs (Of). Groups: “We believe in groups” (Of).
Leadership Development: Need “missional leaders” who care for and develop God’s people (Is).
Open or Closed Groups there are Men’s Groups, a Missional Group, a Neighborhood Group, and
a Intergenerational Group which is (With and Is). There are more from the Is Small Group than
any other from this chart.
____________________________________
9 Rick Garner, “Lecture Notes: With/Of/Is Chart.” Electronic Ed. (Liberty University Resources, 2014)
accessed September 08, 2017.
Conclusion
In conclusion the author has realized that Small Group Ministry has been around for ages
and people have learned a lot from this close knit learning format. It is an essential way of
learning, teaching, and experiencing a closeness with one another in the spirit of God’s realm.
Building a true fellowship with the Lord as the disciples did. The daily prayers and bible
readings. Having praise and worship just to pick up your spirits will also make Him very happy
because you are using your gifts for His sake. Go for walks and talk about the Lord you never
know who might want to know about him. It is like Jeff Tunnell stated “all believers devoted
themselves.”10 Don’t you think it is time to devote yourself for the Lord who devoted everything
to you? Dempsey and Earley said it best when they said “Jesus transformed the few to transform
the many.”11 Which when we look back at how many lives his disciples touched we see how true
it is.
____________________________________
10 Jeff Tunnell, “Biblical Values and Time-tested Principles.”
http://joelcomiskeygroup.com/blog_2/2011/09/19/biblical-values-and-time-tested-principles-2/ accessed September
08, 2017.
11 Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, “Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small Groups.” (Lynchburg:
Liberty Press, 2015) 26.
7
Bibliography
Comiskey, Joel. “Biblical Foundations for the Cell-Based Church New Testament Insights for
the 21stCentury Church.” (Peabody: CCS Publishing, 2012), 29.
Dempsey, Rod and Earley, Dave. “Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small Groups.”
(Lynchburg: Liberty Press, 2015) 26.
Garner, Rick. “Lecture Notes: Church Structure Chart.” Electronic Ed. (Liberty University
Resources, 2014) accessed September 08, 2017.
Garner, Rick. “Lecture Notes: With/Of/Is Chart.” Electronic Ed. (Liberty University Resources,
2014) accessed September 08, 2017.
Tunnell, Jeff. “Biblical Values and Time-tested Principles.”
http://joelcomiskeygroup.com/blog_2/2011/09/19/biblical-values-and-time-tested-
principles-2/ accessed September 08, 2017.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
