LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Analysis Paper 3
Submitted to __________, in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the completion of the course,
DSMN 630-B01
Small Group Ministries
by
_____________
February 23, 2020
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................2
Beginning Steps for Creating a Group and a Possible Group Outline.....................................2
The Importance and Elements of a Group Covenant.................................................................3
Summary of the Different Types of Small Groups and My Type of Group..............................4
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................4
Bibliography...................................................................................................................................5
1
Introduction
This week’s reading assignments focus on the creation of new small groups. The
importance of small groups to a church has already been discussed in the previous analysis
papers and understanding that importance helps in making the planning stages of creating a new
small group. The intention of creating a new small group is to create one that will last and as
Jeffrey Arnold states, “Nothing good and lasting can occur without thoughtful planning and
preparation”.1 In addition to creating a small group that will last, the intention is to create a small
group that will create disciples and spread the Gospel. In order to do this, there are steps that
need to be followed and decisions to be made in order to create the kind of small group that will
accomplish those objectives.
Beginning Steps for Creating a Group and a Possible Group Outline
Creating a new small group is probably not as difficult as many people think. People can
become overwhelmed when attempting to start a small group but that can be avoided by breaking
the process down into manageable steps. The first step, as with any project that a Christian
wishes to undertake, is to pray. As Arnold points out, “We must offer ourselves to God and then
ask him to mold and shape our work so that his kingdom benefits”.2 Knowing God’s will for this
endeavor can only become known through prayer and accessing God’s Word. Also, speaking
with established small group leaders can give new leaders insight that can only be gained from
experience. The next step would be to “pull together a small group of disciples who are willing
to grow under your leadership”.3 There needs to be a core group of disciple-making disciples
along with a like-minded host in order to get the group off on the right foot. Next on the agenda
would be choosing what type of group it will be, where the group will meet, the meeting
1 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups. Rev. ed. (Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 2004), 83.
2 Ibid., 63.
3 Ibid.
2
schedule, and inviting new members. The group will need to choose its’ identity and what the
group’s purpose will be.4 A possible outline to follow according to Dave Earley and Rod
Dempsey would be to “(1) Determine what you want them to learn or gain through the
discussion, (2) Determine what or how you want them to feel after the meeting, and (3)
Determine what you want to do differently, more deeply, or start doing as a group and as
individuals through what you’ve learned and experienced in the meeting”.5 The group will then
need to focus on their identity which can best be accomplished by building a covenant.6
The Importance and Elements of a Group Covenant
Many times, small groups are created without a clear focus on what the actual purpose of
the group is going to be or what they want to accomplish. They can waste precious time trying to
figure out what their aim is going to be. It is for this reason that Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey
point out that “it is wise to develop a concise and comprehensive group covenant”.7 According to
Arnold, “When writing a group covenant, you will want to consider identity issues (who we are);
task issues (what we do); communication issues (how we interact); and role issues (who does
what)”.8 Early and Dempsey give a list of elements or components that need to be examined
when creating a group covenant. These components are the covenants of priority, prayer,
outreach, growth, openness, multiplication, availability, confidentiality, accountability, and love.9
According to Earley and Dempsey, “When these ten covenant points are covered early and often
4 64-65.
5 Rod Dempsey, “Lecture Notes: 5 W’s,” Lecture, (Lynchburg: Liberty University, June
14, 1999), PowerPoint.
6 Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 65.
7 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small
Groups, (Lynchburg: Liberty Press, 2015), 88.
8 Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 67.
9 Earley and Dempsey, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups, 88-89.
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in a small group, they dramatically increase the clarity and harmony of the group”.10 This ideal is
what every small group should strive for.
Summary of the Different Types of Small Groups and My Type of Group
There are different types of small groups to choose from when deciding the identity of the
group. Knowing the different needs within a church can help to make that decision between the
various types.11 The different types of small groups are cell groups, the discipleship groups,
ministry groups, special-needs groups, affinity groups, and house churches. Each type of group
has a different focus and purpose. All of these groups have an emphasis on community building,
Bible study, prayer, and individual care. The differences can be seen in whether or not they have
an emphasis on outreach, evangelism, or mission. The group with the difference that really
stands out is the special-needs group. This group is devoted to a special need of the members
such as alcoholism. Also, affinity groups are different because they are geared to certain people
who share a common characteristic or interest. 12 I am involved in two small groups. One that
focuses on Bible study and one that is an affinity group which consists of married couples around
the same age.
Conclusion
The information gathered from this week’s reading assignments will be very helpful in
creating a small group that will last and will create disciples who will spread the Gospel. If
followed, the steps and suggestions will simplify creating a new small group and help to keep the
group focused on the original intention of the group. Most importantly, this information will help
create a small group that will glorify the Lord.
Bibliography
10 Earley and Dempsey, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups, 89.
11 Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 68.
12 Ibid., 76-79.
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Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups. Downers Grove: IVP Press, 2004.
Dempsey, Rod. “Lecture Notes: 5 W’s,” Lecture. (Lynchburg: Liberty University, June 14,
1999). PowerPoint.
Earley, Dave and Rod Dempsey. Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups.
(Lynchburg: Liberty Press, 2015).
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