A small group is any group desiring to meet under the supervision of church leadership (on or off campus) for the purpose of growing in Christ through fellowship and wholesome activities. An Assemblies of God Small Group or affinity group must include a minimum 10 minute window for the purpose of Bible reading or discussion and prayer.
Help your group through the trials of life. You'll discover several approaches to handle critical issues, from the death of a child to divorce, addiction, terminal illness, and more. While this quick-response handbook was originally designed for small groups, it also works well for any church leader or volunteer who might find themselves in a counseling situation. Includes Scriptural help, case studies.
Whether you are starting a new group, working to get one back on track, or introducing a small group program at your church, here is your ticket to effective foundations, training, and practice. Completely rewritten, updated, and expanded for a new generation of leaders, this classic has everything you need. Includes ideas for ice breakers, application, community building, outreach, and more.
Leading a successful small group is like walking a tightrope, balancing the dynamic tensions characteristic of every group. Drawing from the concept of “polarity management,” the authors help you deal with six areas every group leader must manage to create a genuine, transforming group community. You’ll gain confidence as a leader as you learn how to release the untapped creative and relational energy in your group.
VISION
1. Why do you want to start small groups?
2. What is the senior pastor’s level of commitment?
3. Is there a dedicated point leader? (“dedicated” as in a person whose portfolio is primarily small groups)
4. What are the goals for small group ministry at your church?
STRATEGY
1. What small group model will you use?
2. Have you considered custom adaptations of this model for your congregation? (e.g., meeting frequency, leadership requirements, etc.)
3. What is your time frame for prep and launch?
4. What is your plan for bringing staff online with the vision?
5. Have you budgeted resources for promotion, curriculum, leadership training?
6. Have you developed a comprehensive assimilation plan?
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
1. How will you train new leaders?
2. What material will you use for training?
3. Do you have a plan for ongoing leadership training?
CURRICULUM
1. If launching with a campaign, do you have the next step in place?
2. Do you have clear guidelines for accountability in curriculum choices?
3. Have you made decision on whether or not to purchase supplies for groups? (with the future, larger size of the system in mind)
PROMOTION
1. Initial: do you have plans to create high visibility and redundancy in initial promotion?
2. Have you recruited core leaders from the congregation?
3. Ongoing: how will new people learn about and connect with small groups?
LEADER SUPPORT
1. How will you assess a leader’s condition?
2. Will you initiate contact with the leaders or rely on a report from them?
3. Do you have a clear transition strategy for leaders?
EVALUATION
1. How will you measure success?
2. How will you collect data?
3. How will you collect stories?
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1. Always give liberal praise to your students
* Words cost you little more than the time it takes to say them, but they are priceless to your students. Find things they do right, brag on them and make them feel the WOW factor.
2. Build Excitement
* Share success stories of lives changed and miracles that happened this week. Leave the classroom with “a girl tied on the railroad track” kind of story – so they’ll come back next week to find out how the story ends.
3. Create opportunities for life change
* Take your class to serve in the community. This takes the spotlight off of your students and onto the needs of the people in your city.
4. Develop leaders among your students
* Get them involved in the training of others. Retention rates go to 95% when people are challenged to share the lesson with others. Develop new teachers in the classroom.
5. Expect God to show up and touch lives
* Pray and allow God to move in your class. This “To Do” should be first and last on your list!
* God will “confirm His word with signs and wonders”. (Mark 16:20) Prepare your heart and ask God to help you discern what should happen this week in your classroom.
