#145 How to Lead a Group

Summary of Arnold (Chapters 4 – 5) and Earley and Dempsey (Chapters 22 – 28)

Arnold in chapters 4-5 of The Big Book On Small Groups and Earley and Dempsey in chapters 22-28 of Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups address questions of starting a small group ministry. Arnold lays the foundation when he writes “The first step is to pull together a small group of disciples who are willing to grow under your leadership.” Without people who want to be under your leadership you will not be able to get a small group off the group. This foundation is solidified by a close personal relationship with God which is identified by a strong prayer life. Dempsey and Earley report that “groups that multiplied regularly were led by leaders who prayed an average of an hour a day.” In order for a group to be successful and to multiply it must be led by a leader who communicates both with the members and with God.

Two other elements that are addressed in the chapters by Arnold and Dempsey-Earley are those of small group covenants and group apprentices. Group covenants are the commitments that group members make to one another. These can be different based on the group type and purpose of the group. A recovery group will have a very different covenant than a moms play group for example. This may be tied to the idea of having a group apprentice. An apprentice is someone you are preparing for leadership. They may take over your group or lead another group in the future. In determining who would make a good apprentice things like leadership traits, may come into play. But the most important thing is their commitment to the group covenant and their ability to live up to what has been taught to them

Beginning Steps for Creating a Group and Possible Group Outline

When creating a small group you need to first answer the challenging questions. Such as who will lead the group, when will the group meet, where will it meet, what about kids, why does this group exist, and what is the group covenant? Once these questions are initially answered you can go on to decide the form the group will take. Looking to the future I want to create a group for pastors focused on the continued study of Biblical Hebrew. What my life looks like in the future will largely determine what this group looks like. Ideally I think that the group will be a lunch hour group. That meets weekly, at lunch. Each member takes a turn guiding the group through a passage and answering questions about it. I expect the group to be mostly men in ministry but I don’t plan on limiting the group to men or those in ministry. Anyone who has taken a course in Hebrew can be a part of the group. Since “The ideal length for a small group is ten to twelve weeks” I think the group may run seasonally every other ten weeks. So two-three times a week. In the opposing ten weeks the focus would be on Koine Greek.

When forming a new group it is important to “begin at the most intimate levels.” This means starting with a core group. Start with a group of two-three people who will be in the group and plan out all the details of what the group will be, before inviting others to join the community you are building. This step is vital as “you set the tone for what spiritual maturity looks like in your congregation.” In the context of a Hebrew or Greek language affinity group I would need to model what understanding the Biblical text looks like. As Ephesians 6:13 says “take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” As a pastor and leader it means to properly handle the Biblical text. To lead a group focused on the Biblical languages means I must set the standard of understanding that the group is striving for.

Another vital step in creating a small group is defining what success in the group and what multiplication looks like. Within a Hebrew group for example success looks like an increased knowledge level of the biblical languages among members, more confidence in the Bible, and better theological convictions. Whereas multiplication looks like having more of these groups pop up around the country as other pastors hear about the idea. Being a part of a group like this is like entering “discipleship alone, but no one remains alone in discipleship. Those who dare to become single individuals trusting in the word are given the gift of church-community.” People might be alone in their journey of understanding the Bible on a deeper level but if they are diligent in their work community may gather around them.

The Importance and Elements of a Group Covenant.

A group covenant identifies the critical identity of the small group. Without a covenant there is no stated purpose of the group or standard of action. A good group covenant can draws everyone together and helps them to work as a cohesive team rather than for their selfish interests. Covenants should “include things like availability, commitment, confidentiality and goals for outreach and multiplication.” It is also worth considering, “identity issues (who we are); task issues (what we do); communication issues (how we interact); and role issues (who does what).” Considering these four categories and the practical issues, I would add the obvious that the covenant should be built on the Bible.

A small group that I am a part of called Holy Smoke has a few rules and goals which amount to a covenant but no stated covenant. Holy Smoke is an affinity group that is based around cigar smoking. The rules are what is said in the group, stays in the group, participate, and personal. And there is a challenge coin which is a reminder to pray and invite others. In general a group covenant should convey expectations of behaviour and the goals of the group. The expectations and goals can vary widely based on the type of group. Another group that I help lead on remarriage has a stipulation in its covenant that you will only share your stories. To this group it is important to not share others stories because of the sensitive nature of many of the relationships, and not to antagonize one another. That group is also sequential so it is important for everyone to attend all the meetings. Whereas the Holy Smoke group it is easier for people to come and go so there is no expectation of attendance.

The Different Types of Small Groups

There are several different types of small groups. These groups can be based on need, relationship, or goals. There are many group types according to Arnold. There are cell groups which are small groups based around the needs of the group. Those needs may change over time from caring for one member, to a time of worship, to a group based on a book study. Then there are discipleship groups which are built around a smaller group of two-four people who want to grow in their spiritual discipline. Ministry groups are built around an outreach goal. That goal can be to evangelize a campus, a worship team, or a group preparing to do marriage ministry. Special needs groups like AA, FA, and celebrate recovery, can help people with challenging life issues and bring them to faith. Special need groups are similar to affinity groups but they are based on personal characteristics of the members. Affinity groups might be a men’s group or an expectant mothers group. Finally there are house churches which are essentially a small group of people who hold all the elements of a church service in a home.

What Type of Group(s) do I Plan to Start?

I have been a part of all these types of groups at different times in my life. Presently I am in two affinity groups, a special need group, and a ministry group. In the future, as a military chaplain I may find myself in a variety of circumstances which will dictate what sort of groups I need to lead. I plan to start a Holy Smoke group wherever I go to help minister to my own needs. If I am placed in a hospital setting I may end up leading special need groups based around grief, loss, and addiction. Whereas if I am placed in a more traditional church setting I will be involved in a wider variety of groups based on the community needs. Regardless of the types of groups I may lead it is my goal to be ready for whatever God may have for me.

Bibliography

Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups. Revised Edition. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2017.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Discipleship. Edited by Martin Kuske et al. Translated by Barbara Green and Reinhard Krauss. Vol. 4 of Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2003.

Dempsey, Rod, and Dave Earley. Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups. Bellingham, WA: Wordsearch, 2018.

Putman, Jim, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013.

Searcy, Nelson, Kerrick Thomas, and Jennifer Dykes Henson. Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2018.