LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
What is a Group
Submitted to Dr. H. Anthony,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
DSMN 630– B02
Small Group Ministries
by
April D. Brown
June 6, 2021
Content
Summary…………………………………………………………………………….1
Difference Between a Clique and a Small Group…………………………………...2
G.R.O.U.P…………………………………………………………………………...2-4
Four Questions………………………………………………………………………4-7
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….7
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………….8
iv
Summary
In the first two chapters of his book, The Big Book on Small Groups, Jefferey Arnold
discusses the importance of discipling like Jesus. As small group leaders it is important to form
personal relationships with those around us, just as Jesus did. Not only will it build trust but
more so it will create a safe atmosphere for those participating. Arnold says this, “Jesus
committed himself to the disciples in every way. He made himself accessible to them and
confided in them, calling them his friends.”1 Through personal relationships and commitment
small groups leaders and participants are able to grow spiritually and closer in accomplishing the
call of the great commission. Moreover, Arnold summarizes the need to build church through
small groups, making a comparison to a beehive, Arnold states, “Similarly, body life assumes the
bringing together of unique Christians working for a common goal—to be and make disciples.”2
In their book Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups, Rod Dempsey and Dave
Earley say this, “The primary purposes, passions and practices of the healthy small group are
focused on developing community.”3 As we come together in community, the Kingdom of God is
advanced. It is up to small group leaders to cultivate an environment rich in the Lord’s Word, but
also to organize events such as weekly or monthly evangelism outings.4 Moreover, it is important
that we address conflict and community in a healthy manner. Having a healthy resolution for
conflict is key in maintaining the community of a small group.5
1 Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004), 19.
2 Ibid., 28.
3 Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small Groups (Lynchburg, VA: Liberty
University Press, 2016), 38.
4 Ibid., 57.
5 Dempsey and Earley, “Make the effort to resolve conflict”, 41.
1
Difference Between a Clique and a Small Group
When distinguishing between a small group and a clique, we can turn to Arnold’s
statement, “Unlike cliques, however, these communities or groupings are intentionally small,
outward in focus and intent on participating with Christ in the building of his kingdom.”6
Gatherings of many different kinds happen every day but what makes a small group unique is the
focus on the Lord’s Word alongside discipleship and community focus. Dempsey and Earley
explain what it takes to lead a healthy small group in chapters seven through fifteen. One of the
main focuses that we hear the authors state several times is community. The Bible tells us, “Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Phil.
2:3-4, NIV). Arnold explains community this way, “The ideal group engages each member in
discipleship while encouraging each individual to make a positive contribution for the growth of
others.”7 As we look towards the interests of the community, such as the Lord’s Word, outreach,
and evangelism, we grow stronger in the Lord, ultimately making the body of Christ stronger.
G.R.O.U.P.
In Dr. Dempsey’s week three lecture notes he uses an acrostic G.R.O.U.P. to define what
a small group is. Dempsey explains that in order for the gathering to be a small group it must
possess the five characteristics he describes within the acrostic which are G—guided by a leader,
R—has regular meeting times, preferably once a week or every other week, O—open’s God’s
Word, U—united in serving, and P—pray for one another.8 Dempsey and Earley explain in
chapter seven that being a leader is a matter of “a heart that asks the question, “How can I help
6 Jefferey Arnold, Small Groups in Today’s Church, 22.
7 Jefferey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 28.
8 Rod Dempsey, Week Three lecture Notes, Liberty University DSMN 630, accessed June 5, 2021, Lecture Notes
What is a GROUP.docx: DSMN630: Small Group Ministries (B02) (liberty.edu).
2
you grow and become more like Christ?”9 As small group leaders we must remember the
importance of our group receiving what they need spiritually, mentally and emotionally. We do
this by putting their need to be fed before our own. This means we may need to be intentional
about raising disciples who will raise other disciples.
The authors go on to explain the second aspect of G.R.O.U.P. which is regular meeting
times. It’s important to schedule regular meeting times not only to be considerate of everyone’s
schedule but more importantly so that we are meeting regularly. Dempsey and Earley state that,
“the enemy, who prowls about like a roaring lion, may easily use his tricks of deception,
discouragement and disillusionment to defeat one of your group members.”10 This is something
that I have experienced with my groups this past year. Although we transitioned to online quite
quickly, I noticed that many of our group members were struggling with not meeting in person, it
took a toll on the mentally and spiritually.
The third aspect of the acrostic is open God’s word up. The living breathing Word of God
is what feeds us spiritually, without it we begin to believe the enemies lies and distance ourselves
not only from our community but from the Lord as well. Dempsey and Earley say, “Studying and
applying the Word of God has the power to change us from what we are into what God has in
mind for us.”11
The fourth is united service, as a community we need to be united and in agreement. The
Bible says, “Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that
you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you
because of your lack of self-control” (1 Cor. 7:5, NIV). The devil desires nothing more than to
9 Dempsey and Early, Guided by a Leader, 31.
10 Ibid., 32.
11 Ibid.,
3
separate us from our community because he knows it is easier to get to us when we are alone,
isolation is where the devil preys on us because we are vulnerable there. We each have different
spiritual gifts that when we come together to use them for the advancement of the Kingdom
edifies the body of Christ. Dempsey and Earley explain the importance of united service as,
“When we are using His gifts in our small groups or in our community it is just as if Christ were
still present in the world today.”12
The fifth and final letter of the acrostic represents prayers for one another. Dempsey and
Earley explain, “In addition to studying and applying the Word, praying for and with one another
is what separates a Christ-centered small group from a civic club.”13 Without a strong focus on
the Lord’s word, community and prayer for one another, our group becomes nothing more than a
general gathering. Having small groups is our modern-day version of house church. It is what
keeps us in “the same mind” (1 Pt. 3:8) and of “one accord” (Acts 1:14).
Four Questions
1. Based on what you read in this chapter, what are some of the practical results of
Jesus' disciple-making?
According to the readings of this chapter some of the practical results of Jesus’ disciple
making are intentional relationships. Jesus committed Himself to the disciples. He invested His
time into teaching them, comforting them, and shepherding them. As small group leaders we
must put forth this same passion and invest into those we are shepherding. Jesus is the ultimate
example of how to love and teach others, we must follow His instruction in our pursuit of
developing others into disciples and leaders. Arnold says, “We examine Jesus' means of making
12 Dempsey and Earley, 33.
13 Ibid.,
4
disciples because the Master's way of molding lives is still superior to any other model we could
imitate.”14
2. How were small groups used to build the early church?
In the early church small groups began as a way to continue to have church despite the ever-
present persecution. Arnold explains, “The apostles and early church teachers and elders went
from house to house, visiting small groups in homes as they taught and made disciples (Acts
5:42).”15 People met in homes and invested in one another just as Jesus had invested in the
disciples. They encouraged one another resulting in the strengthening of their faith, which in turn
grew more disciples and advanced the kingdom of God.
3. What are key differences between a healthy group and a clique?
Healthy groups as described by Arnold are, “intentionally small, outward in focus and intent
on participating with Christ in the building of his kingdom.”16 Small groups should be designed
to edify the body of Christ by reading and learning from His Word and developing disciples.
Oppositely, cliques are simply a gathering that can randomly take place, without any focus on the
Lord or His people.
4. Explain each of these statements:
a. Disciples are made intentionally.
Disciples are made intentionally through other disciples who allow themselves to be used
for the glory of God. As disciples of Jesus, we must be intentional in sharing the Good News but
14 Jefferey Arnold, 20.
15 Ibid., 21.
16 Ibid., 22.
5
also in investing in the lives of others. As we come together in community, we grow stronger as
one church body.
b. Disciples are to be like Christ.
It is our call to be like Christ in all that we do. First and foremost, we must “love others
as Jesus has loved us” (Jn. 15:12). Arnold explains, “In small groups and with other believers, we
“practice” the Christian life together in community; then, Scripture teaches us, the Spirit of God
works to apply lessons learned into the deepest recesses of our hearts. We become, in the deepest
sense, like Christ.”17
c. Disciples are made in relationship.
“We learn about life through the relationships in which we participate.”18 We learn how to
do life by those we are surrounded by. If we remain in community with other disciples, we will
learn how to live our lives as disciples. Through scripture, community, and prayer we become
stronger in the Lord and more like Him. We become intentional in developing new disciples and
in investing ourselves into the lives of others just as Jesus did with the Twelve.
Explain inward, outward, and upward, and apply the concepts to your context.
Arnold explains the inward, outward, and upward dimensions this way, “the inward dimension,
which includes group care and fellowship; the upward dimension, encompassing prayer, worship
and spiritual training; and the outward dimension, including outreach, multiplication,
apprenticing and mission.”19 The inward dimension is where we as disciples of Christ invest I
others through care and fellowship. We intentionally develop relationships with one another and
offer love and support. The upward dimension is focused on God. This is where we are
17 Jefferey Arnold, 24.
18 Ibid.,
19 Ibid., 54.
6
intentional about prayer, worship and spiritual training. In our small groups we must be
intentional about God being the focus of our gathering. Arnold suggests beginning with worship
followed by prayer. Moreover, spiritual training happens as we come together in the Lord’s
Word. Lastly, is the outward dimension which focuses on the “mission” of being intentional
about doing the Lord’s work for His glory. We must be willing to serve others selflessly, with
love and compassion. We achieve the outward dimension through outreach, missions and serving
others and the congregation as a whole.
Conclusion
Small groups are a vital component of any church. Through small groups, members of the
congregation are able to build community in smaller “beehive like” churches. It is important to
be sure to make the primary focus of a small group the Lord’s Word, community, love and
service otherwise the group becomes nothing more than a general gathering or “clique. In the
early church Jesus invested Himself into His disciples giving them love and wisdom, challenging
them to go higher through His teachings and Parables. As leaders we must call our small group
participants to go higher by teaching them, through relationship, how to be a disciple. Leading by
example is key in developing disciples who will go on to develop more disciples. As we
contribute to spiritually training the participants of our small groups through scripture, prayer,
and evangelism, we will bear witness to the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Bibliography
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
7
Dempsey, Rod., Week Three lecture Notes, Liberty University DSMN 630, accessed June 5,
2021, Lecture Notes What is a GROUP.docx: DSMN630: Small Group Ministries (B02)
(liberty.edu).
Dempsey, Rod, and Dave Earley. Leading Healthy Growing Multiplying Small Groups.
Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University Press, 2016.
8
