Want to start a new small group?

There are different types of small groups.  The type of group your church starts will have different kinds of expectations for the participants, and your church will experience different results.  Before beginning a small group, determine the needs of your congregation.

Although there are several types of small groups, below are three to consider:

1. Task-Oriented and Service-Oriented Groups

These types of groups are important for the ongoing ministries of the church; however, they offer the least opportunity for biblical training.  Examples of these groups would be preparing food for the sick, gathering weekly to clean the church, choir practice, etc.  When these groups meet, scripture may be read, prayer offered, testimonies given, but there is not sufficient time to explore principles for spiritual growth.  The key purpose of these groups is to perform a specific task and does not emphasize deeper Biblical learning.  

Churches need these types of groups, and they are critical for various needs of the church.    However, it must be remembered that these groups are at an entry level spiritually.  As soon as possible, it is important for those in these groups to become involved in a group that will challenge them more as they mature spiritually.

2. Bible Study and Book Study Groups

When it comes to Christian Education, Bible study and Book study groups, along with Sunday School classes, make up most of the groups within most churches.  These classes and groups have proven to be essential over the years, and we need to continally begin new classes in this category.

Some weaknesses can develop within these groups that can hinder the educational and discipleship process.  For example, if the attitude prevails to “come if you can” or “it really does not matter if you miss,” then the learning process will be greatly impaired.  The class purpose, that should include learning, experiencing, and sharing our faith, will then degenerate and discipleship will suffer.

Churches need to have more Bible study and Book study groups.  One of the responsibilities of the Pastor and other lay leaders is to notice those within these classes who are more spiritually intense and have a greater hunger to grow spiritually.  When that happens, the church needs to provide a higher level of spiritual training.  This higher level of training will produce more and better equipped church leaders in the future.

3. Discipleship Groups

Discipleship groups meet once a week for approximately one year.  The main reason for this is that groups almost never become a community in less than eight months.   After these closed groups meet for a few weeks, no one else is permitted to join the class.  One reason for this is because of the need to move forward in the curriculum as much as possible, and also the process of bonding in which the group will be engaged.

It needs to be noted that the people in Discipleship groups should be chosen by the Pastor or Small Group leader.  These groups may contain two or three people or as many as fifteen.  Whether they meet at home or at church, these individuals meet with a hunger to grow spiritually.  In other types of groups, participants may attend wanting to be affirmed.  In Discipleship groups, participants attend wanting to be changed.

Just like attendidng a new exercise class, because of life’s distractions and changes in personal schedules, some will not finish the course.  For those who do, they will never forget the time spent together.  

Overall, Discipleship groups are the most rewarding level of small groups!

TO RAP IT UP --  

Discipleship through Small Groups is absolutely necessary.  Everyone being discipled should be led into a group or, as John Wesley called them “little churches.”  It is here our learning takes on a broader dimension. 

John Wesley was right when he taught us that if we do not have spiritual companions on the way to the New Jerusalem, we must take them -- for no one can travel that journey alone.