Definition:

Small groups allow more intimate and personal opportunities for spiritual growth. Jesus developed a small group of disciples and called them apostles for the special purpose of leadership and multiplication. The earliest church met in small groups. Small groups can take many forms, meet in many different locations, and cover many topics. Every church will have small groups (Sunday School, home groups, youth groups, and so forth). Pastors who can develop small groups will strengthen the fellowship and evangelism of their churches.

Characteristics:

Be:

  • Personable
  • Disciple maker

Know:

  • Types of small groups
  • Wesley and small groups
  • Biblical basis for small groups

Do:

  • Prepare Bible studies
  • Organize and prepare groups

Outcomes:

  1. Identify how Jesus trained disciples, the personal qualities he wanted in these disciples, and how he wanted the disciples to make more disciples, and demonstrate personal growth in these areas. SMG-1
  2. Demonstrate leading a small group and developing leaders for five different types of small groups, using a balance of activities in a culturally appropriate length of time and frequency of meeting. SMG-2
  3. Explain potential conflicts that threaten a healthy small group and church and how to deal with these potential conflicts in a family or small group (such as: becoming too self-focused, gossip, exclusiveness, lack of clearly defined start and end dates, loss of purpose, power struggles between groups, thinking that just talking makes the group important, disconnected from the mission of the congregation). SMG-3
  4. Explain the teaching theory, concepts and methods at work within each of the small groups. SMG-4
  5. Demonstrate how to develop lessons for a small group that enable them to apply God’s word and grow spiritually. SMG-5