My Small Group Philosophy

 

Small group ministries are vital expressive ways for the church to continually grow spiritually as individuals and one body.

In reading Discovering Discipleship, I was intrigued to learn the overarching history of small group ministry can be focused on John Wesley.[1]  Wesley’s classes and societies lay a wonderful foundation of how one could approach small group ministry.  Each level of Wesley’s program was meant to bring about a different type of change in the life of the believers.  For Wesley, there were three different groups which each had their own important part towards the spiritual growth of the church.[2]  In the societies, the Methodists were receiving biblical instruction among a larger group very much like our congregational worship services.  In the class meetings, the Methodists began to world through what they should do and what they should do.  This group was focused on rooting out negative behaviors of the society.  The final group, bands, were designed to develop the spiritual holiness of the members.  It was at this level where Christians would dig deep into their hearts for change within their lives.  These groups offer an example of how small group ministry could look today not in practice as much as in motive. 

A small group ministry should be flexible to fit the needs of the local church.  What works at the megachurch across town may not work for the local small congregation.  It is important to consider the congregational needs rather than the program fit.  It might not be wise to base a small group ministry on competitive basketball at a church with an average age over 60.  The small group ministry would not flourish in that context.

In the article Factors that Fuel Small Group Growth, Egli and Wang note the primary means to develop a strong small group ministry is effective leadership development and discipleship.  A key factor in effective small group ministry based upon their research is the prayer life of the small group leader.  Leaders who are praying for their small groups tend to have greater success in the group adding new members and seeing more individuals come to Christ.[3]  This research also revealed small group ministries were also healthier when the church supported and developed the small group leaders.

Small groups can fall into three different categories: thinking, feeling, and doing[4].  Each is an important aspect of small group ministry.  The class system of John Wesley even reflects on elements of these three; however, effective small groups for the growth of the church ought to reflect all three.  As small groups are an important part of the church’s growth and spiritual health, it is important to help equip the church for ministry through small groups. 

 

References

Blevins, Dean Gray, and Mark A. Maddix. Discovering Discipleship: Dynamics of Christian Education. Kansas City, Mo: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2010.

Jim Egli, and Wei Wang. “FACTORS THAT FUEL SMALL GROUP GROWTH.” Christian Education Journal 11, no. 1 (2014): 134–51.

Rose, Joshua. “EQUIPPING MEMBERS FOR MINISTRY THROUGH SMALL GROUPS.” Christian Education Journal 14, no. 2 (2017): 361–75.

 


[1] Blevins and Maddix, Discovering Discipleship.

[2] Blevins and Maddix.

[3] Jim Egli and Wei Wang, “FACTORS THAT FUEL SMALL GROUP GROWTH.”

[4] Rose, “EQUIPPING MEMBERS FOR MINISTRY THROUGH SMALL GROUPS.”

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