JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Written Assignment: How to Lead A 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 29, 2022
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………3
In the Beginning and Beyond…………………………….…………………………3
Iron Sharpening Iron………………….…………………………………………….7
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………..8
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………9
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Introduction
It is important for a leader of any group to understand the purpose of the group. Meaning,
that leaders should know what type of individuals are within the group, the goals/mission for the
group, and ensuring an unwavering foundation for the group. These are just a few of the key
layers of a groups infrastructure. Within this paper readers will be presented with the inter-
workings of a group from start to finish. An outlining of what it indeed takes for a group and its
leader to be successful. To assist in providing clarity on what that means exactly, the writer will
be utilizing supportive resources provided by authors Jeffery Arnold, as well as Rod Dempsey
and Dave Earley.
Pulling from their phenomenal books, “The Big Book for Small Groups” and “Leading
Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups”, readers will be given the opportunity to grab hold
to the necessary tools and developmental skills that will not only make for a strong group but a
set of skills that will assist them in maintaining their small group. Arnold, Dempsey, and Earley
do not present in a manner that makes leading and maintaining a group look easy. However,
each of these authors provide the experience that presents the small group journey as an
achievable one.
In The Beginning and Beyond
With all things there is a starting point, a beginning, if you will. How does a leader start
his or her small group? Who is the target audience? What is the focal point of the group? The
questions continue, however, despite the numerous questions, these are all questions that should
be addressed prior to any gathering. However, author Jefferey Arnold quickly reminds us that
those question can wait, there is something more important, more pressing that is required of us
when seeking to start a small group within a ministry. “The place to start, when attempting to
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gather a group, is on your knees.”1 If God is not at the very center of one’s small group, then all
the planning will be in vein. Seeking God on the very nature of one’s group tell God that this
can only be done through and by Him. Again, Arnold supplies his readers with a great reference
point and that reference point is within the book of Luke. Reminding leaders that Jesus
presented his plan for his group to the Father and sought his approval before selecting those that
would follow Him.
Next, our selected authors informs us of the succeeding layer and that is the must have
covenant. Each group should be governed by a covenant, as it speaks to the organization and
structure of the group. “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way, 1 Cor. 14:40,
NIV.” The covenant is a written guidance that focuses on accountability, responsibility, and
expectations. “In the absence of clear direction and vision, many churches experience conflict
and strife as various individuals or groups attempt to create and enforce unspoken covenant
rules.”2
The laying of such ground work can assist with the building of rapport and help gauge the
initial dynamics of the group. Gathering this information enables the leader or leaders to
customize there approach and/or revamping of the groups initial structure, if necessary.
However, let’s not just place this all on the leaders shoulders, the covenant also allows members
of the group to take accountability and responsibility when interacting with one another.
Dempsey and Earley convey that a group without structure is a group that can become stagnant
and ineffective. “The worst case scenario is that the group never develops a clear purpose and
1 Jeffery Arnold. The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition). 63.
2 Ibid., 66.
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never grows and multiplies. For this reason and many others, it is wise to develop a concise and
comprehensive group covenant.”3
Now that the importance of establishing the placing of Christ at the center of one’s group
and the laying of a covenant based foundation has been conveyed, the question that presents
itself next is that of, “who is this group for?” This is the layer in which leadership must identify
who will be apart of this small group. This particular layer, however, is multifaceted. Meaning,
not only is the leader identifying who should be apart of the group but the leader is also
configuring who should join the group. Will there be attendance expectations? What are the
logistics of the group? These are just a few of the additional questions.
While some of these facets seem to be a bit redundant, author Arnold assure us that they
are not. Who should be apart of the group is really the leadership’s vision of whom they believe
God has for their group. However, who should join the group speaks to the future growth of the
group. “If you nurture an apprentice leader from within your group, that person will want the
opportunity to lead. Others will desire to support the new leader, and a group birth can occur
with very happy results.”4 Bringing clarity to these two questions enables leadership to position
themselves in a manner that will guide them in drawing the people God has for their specific
group.
Having the clarity as to whom the group is seeking to serve, one must ensure that the
logics are not overlooked. What may seem to be less important can have such a major impact on
the success of one’s group. The lack of logistics such as consistent meeting times, meeting
locations, events, activities, icebreakers, and refreshments can even have a negative impact on a
3 Dempsey and Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups. 88.
4 Jeffery Arnold. The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition). 70.
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group when not taken into consideration. Author Jeffery could not say it more simplistic that
this, “Details and logistics matter greatly.”5 One of the logistics that Dempsey and Early zeros in
on is the importance of starting ones group off on the right foot. When time for the gathering of
the group, there needs to be a smooth introduction and a flow to the meeting. Having that
smooth introduction and a flow to the meeting, this bring a level of comfort within the group and
individuals become more receptive, as well as open. “When people don’t connect relationally, it
makes it more difficult to accomplish the goals of the group.”6
Once leadership is aware of the groups mission, target members, and logics, then those
leaders will be able to apply Arnold’s inward, upward, and outward rubrics. This rubrics can
assist in the tackling of the various issues that are prone to small groups, such as communication,
group roles, task management, etc. These issues may be encountered during the groups start-up
stage, maintenance stage, and growth stage. Developing a group goes beyond the numbers, a
strong group that can address matters regarding communication, clarity of roles, ensuring
adequate management, and keeping the word of God at the forefront is a group that produces
quality.
Authors Dempsey and Earley informs readers to not just get swept away in the building
of ones group via numbers, the quality of one’s group will generate members organically. “If
you focus on quality, you will gain quantity as a by-product or result.”7 Quality does not only
refer to the type of group or its logistics but this can also refer to those within the group.
Dempsey and Earley provides great tools to assist leaders with dealing with those individuals
that can effect the quality of the group. “Facilitating a group is inherently difficult. After all, you
5 Ibid., 70.
6 Dempsey and Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups. 91.
7 Ibid., 93.
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are dealing with people. They are complex, needy and sometimes hurting. You need wisdom and
patience to handle difficult personalities.”8 Being aware of how we as leaders respond is key,
recognizing when to be silent and just listening, become aware of those that are wandering and
not focusing on the conversation or interaction, and learning redirect a conversation when it
becomes apparent that the discussion is offering no substance to the topic. Toxicity has no place
within any group, as it will corrode the very core of the group.
Leadership must be fully aware that their small group is not meant to remain a small
group. Your small group is an extension of a larger community. This community should have an
overall goal that produces disciples and disciple-makers . Those that are within the small group
should be strengthening their bond at every meeting. Fellowship and the breaking of bread is
just a part of the building of community. Author Arnold reminds readers that diversity, unity,
creating an environment, and life experiences are also imperative to the group growth. These are
additional areas to pay attention to, as they are vitally important areas to the development of a
community. And these vitally important areas do not just offer growth to the members within the
group but continuous growth is also imparted into the leadership.
Iron Sharpens Iron
Confirmation and the alignment of truth is an amazing thing to experience. Dempsey and
Earley’s book, “Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups aligns with that of author
Jeffery Arnolds selected read and vice versa. These authors collectively informs current leaders
and future leaders that despite all of the interworking of a group, leaders must not forget that the
day will come when its time to hand over the baton. Dempsey and Earley speak to this
specifically with it comes to leaders preparing their apprentices to either take over the current
group or to start a group of their own. “Through the centuries, trades were primarily taught
8 Ibid., 103.
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through close supervision and mentorship. As the person progressed, the master would entrust
more and more responsibility to the apprentice until he or she was ready to take on the full
weight of the responsibility.”9 When we are seeking to build the group by ensure spiritual
growth, strong leadership, the increasing of group members, etc. we are aiming to multiply the
kingdom of God.
Conclusion
Leading a group of any size can be overwhelming. However, leading a group of any size
can be equally rewarding. When we accept the task of leading a group leaders must be prepared
and maintain that preparedness from start to finish. In order to do that, keeping Christ at the
center is a must. Our selected authors provide such grounding information and tools that can
assist both new and seasoned leaders to help shape, as well as strengthen their groups. For the
seasoned group leaders, do a wellness check to ensure that the group has not veered from the
vision, mission, and covenant. For the leaders just getting started, prepare a checklist to ensure
that you are incorporating all that is needed for a healthy group. Again, the ultimate goal is
kingdom building and if this is not being accomplished, then leaders must turning back to the
vision, prayer, and the covenant to remember the group’s purpose.
Bibliography
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004.
9 Ibid., 98.
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