Small Groups Make A Big Difference

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Small Groups MakeA Big Difference

• Bill Alphin
• The Virginia Baptist Mission Board
• 800.ALL.BGAV
• Bill.alphin_at_vbmb.org
• 4/20/06

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What is your definition of a small group ministry?

• Why have a small group ministry?

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Disciple making happens best...

• Where there is intimacy.
• Where there is purposeful and sequential small
  groups.
• Where there is mentoring.
• Where there is modeling.
• Where there is discipline.
• Where there is accountability.
• The KEY Trusting relationships!

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Disciple making requires a system of groups that
provides three levels of relationships...

• Celebration/Worship group (Unity)
• Congregation (ABF) (Fellowship)
• Cell or small group lt12 (Intimacy and
  accountability)

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About Smaller Congregations

• Yes, smaller congregations can be an effective
  disciple making church.
• Smaller churches can be intentional.
• Rely on the one-on-one mentoring and networking
  opportunities.
• Mentor one leader who mentors one leader
• You only need one small group to get started.

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Small groups and intimacy

• Intimacy requires groups to be closed.
• Intimacy requires continuation Groups must be
  ongoing (Meeting for more than a year).

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About the Adult Sunday School

• Sunday School groups must be open.
• Sunday School groups do not have the allotted
  time needed to develop intimacy in relationships.
• Neighborly commitments Vs. family
  commitments. (SS is Phase One level)
• Sunday School provides for networking and caring.

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Small groups should be sequential...

• This means people are grouped together according
  to where they are in their faith journey...
• Each phase of discipleshipmoves the disciple to
  a higher level of commitment.

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Groups As Disciple Making Tools

• Covenant Group.
• Basic Accountability Group.
• Ongoing Accountability Group.
• Ministry Community.
• Support Group.
• Fishing Pools.
• Task Groups and Committees.

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Covenant Groups

• Small groups of 7-17 persons.
• Focusing on the lowest level of disciple making
  (come and see).
• Serves as an introduction to small groups.
• Open but become closed.
• Meet for 13-26 weeks.

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Basic Accountability Group

• Group of 7-17.
• Meets for 6-24 months.
• Focuses on the Come and follow me stage.
• The group is closed.
• Establishes the basic habits (prayer, Bible
  study, quiet time, witnessing, fellowship,
  obedience, growth.

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Ongoing AccountabilityGroup

• Group of 7-17.
• Focuses on the Be with me stage and Remain in
  Me stage.
• The group is closed and long-term in nature.
• Helps maintain basic habits and add new ones.
• It may occasionally re-open.

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Ministry Community

• Meeting of all small group leaders.
• Meets once or twice a month.
• Vision-casting.
• Huddle (Communication)
• Skill development.
• Mutual encouragement.
• Ministry planning.

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Support Group

• A small group (7-17)
• Focused on Come and See.
• Specializes in addressing a specific need.
• Group is closed and confidential.

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Fishing Pools

• This is an open group.
• Last long enough to build relationship.
• Bridges between an outsider and people and
  church programs.

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A small group leader should be...(In part, from
Bob Gilliam, T-Net International)

• Beyond the Follow Me phase.
• The kind of person you could catch Christianity
  from if you werent careful.
• Specifically trained to lead a small group.
• Observed as gifted and able.
• Support of the mission of the church.

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Three methods used to deploy qualified disciple
makers(Bob Gilliam, T-Net)

• Involvement in a model group. (Takes about 9-12
  months.)
• Fast-tracking leaders through an abbreviated
  model group. (Takes 2-3 months.)
• Advanced placement. (50 will fail!)

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An effective disciple making church must have
leaders. Develop disciple making leaders by...

• Affirm those who are effective Christian
  disciples and leaders.
• Provide vision and encouragement.
• Discover and utilize spiritual gifts.
• Create accountability relationships for leaders
  through a leadership community.
• Free leaders of institutional Maintenance.
  Edward H. Hammett Making the Church Work.

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An effective disciple making church must have
leaders. Develop disciple making leaders by...

• Affirm those who are effective Christian
  disciples and leaders.
• Provide vision and encouragement.
• Discover and utilize spiritual gifts.
• Create accountability relationships for leaders
  through a leadership community.
• Free leaders of institutional Maintenance.
  Edward H. Hammett Making the Church Work.

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Training for Small Group Leaders

• Understand group dynamics.
• Life cycle of small groups.
• Expectations of participants.
• Practice conflict utilization skills.
• Develop/practice facilitator skills.
• Understand role of small group.

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The Leadership Community(The T-Net Model)

• Nurture (Plenary Session)
• Vision Casting-Large Picture (Plenary Session)
• Cross-pollination of ideas and activities.
  (Plenary)
• Skill Development (Sub-groups by type)
• Huddle/Planning (Sub-groups by type)
• Meets at least monthly.

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More about vision casting.

• Reminding leaders of purpose.
• Brainstorming new ministries and directions.
• Sharing needs and ministry opportunities.
• Planning for growth and expansion.
• Success stories told.
• Celebration of accomplishments.

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Getting Started

• What do you want to accomplish?
• Develop a plan.
• Inventory existing small groups.
• What small groups are needed?
• What about your leadership base?
• Enlist and train new leaders.
• Select curriculum resources.
• Set a date for new groups.
• Enlist participants.

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Ensuring a Successful Small Group Ministry

• Have a person responsible for coordination of
  small group min.
• Make sure the church knows what is happening with
  the small group ministry.
• Maintain the leadership community and on-going
  training.
• Develop new small group leaders.