4/20/23, 9:37 AM Growing Disciples and Mission (2023): Unit 5 Lecture

MSSN 577 Growing Disciples and Mission (2023)

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Discipleship & Small Groups

 

Biblical Basis for Small Groups

There are many good reasons for starting a small group (and we will talk about that in the next section). However, the question
is: Is there a biblical basis for worshipping and studying the Bible in small groups? Certainly. In fact, “small groups have the
greatest biblical support!”[1] Let’s look at six biblical bases for small group ministry.

1. Small group is the predominant nurturing

Ellen White on Small Groups
structure in the Early Church. When we read
the New Testament, particularly Acts and the
“The formation of small companies as a basis of
Epistles (Acts 2:42, 44, 46-47; 5:42; Rom. 16:5; 1
Christian effort is a plan that has been presented
Cor. 16: 19; Col. 4: 15), we find that the
before me by One who cannot err. If there is a
predominant nurturing structure in the Early
large number in the church, let the members be
Church was the small group or house church
formed into small companies, to work not only for
model. This is obviously due to the persecution
the church members but for unbelievers also”
that the Church usually experiences in the New
(White, Evangelism, 1946, p. 115.2).
Testament period.

“In our churches let companies be formed for

2. God exists as a small group. The first book of
service. Let different ones unite in labor as fishers
the Bible begins with the simple yet thought-
of men. Let them seek to gather souls from the
provoking statement that God created all things (Gen. 1:1). The
corruption of the world into the saving purity of
Hebrew word Elohim which is translated God is a plural noun which
Christ's love” (White, Appeal for Self-Supporting
designates or incorporates “more than one person”.[2] This unity of
Laborers, 1933, p. 9.5).
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit pictures “the
concept of relationships within a group.”[3] In other words, a small
“The presentation of Christ…in small gatherings
group befits “the very nature of God.”[4]
in private houses, is often more successful in
winning souls to Jesus than are sermons
3. The building block of a society is a small group. God says
delivered…even in halls or churches” (White, GW,
regarding Adam, “It is not good that the man should be alone” (Gen.
1915, p. 193.2)
2:18, ESV). God gave him “a helper fit for him.” That was the
beginning of the smallest unit of the society – the family. Marriage
may actually be seen as a divinely ordained process for starting an “Let small companies assemble together in the
intimate small group (2:24). evening or early morning to study the Bible for
themselves. Let them have a season of prayer
4. Small groups enable leaders to address the needs of a large that they may be strengthened and enlightened

group. Jethro’s advice to Moses about looking for “able men from and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. . . .” (White,
all the people,” and setting them “as chiefs of thousands, of TDG, 1979, p. 11.3)

hundreds, of fifties, and of tens” (Ex. 18:21-22, ESV) may be cited as

a basis for dividing large congregations into smaller groups. Such an “Let little companies meet together to study the
arrangement enabled Moses to minister more effectively and more Scriptures. You will lose nothing by this, but will
efficiently to the needs of a very large group. gain much. Angels of God will be in your

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4/20/23, 9:37 AM Growing Disciples and Mission (2023): Unit 5 Lecture

5. Jesus used the small group model. This is perhaps the best reason gathering, and as you feed upon the Bread of
to utilize the small group approach. Even though He had a lot of Life, you will receive spiritual sinew and muscle”
listeners, Jesus established a small group to train his disciples (Mt. (White, TDG, 1979, p. 11.6)
4:18-22; Lk. 6:13-16). Jesus ministered to large crowds (Mk. 12:37)
but he also spent a lot of time with His small group (Mt. 26:6; Mk. Source:  UBC Wiki, 2012
3:7). Jesus used “the small group context” for teaching and
modeling “spiritual knowledge, attitudes, and behavior” as well as
“for leadership training”.[5]

6. The Apostles used small groups as a basis for ministry. Not only did Paul and Peter use the family or household
metaphor to describe the church[6] (Gal. 6:10; Eph. 2:19; 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Peter 4:17; 2:5), they, together with the other
apostles, also actively taught and evangelized “from house to house” (Acts 20:20). In fact, “meetings in houses provided
the backbone of the church structure”[7] in the days of the Apostles (Acts 2:46; 5:42; 20:20).

Practical Reasons for Starting a Small Group

Here are eight practical reasons why it is a good idea to start a small group:

1. It is easier to study the Bible in a small group. The small group setting is more
conducive to individual participation as well as for a question-and-answer activity.
Large group meetings are good for imparting information quickly, but not ideal for
personal application of things learned. Small groups are ideal for discussion and
participation.

2. It is easier to have a sense of belonging in a small group. In a small group setting,

everyone knows everyone. As the members of a small group get to know each other
better, there is a sense of being loved and accepted by other members. This is
something that is often missing in large groups because there are simply too many people to relate to.

3. Prayer becomes more meaningful in a small group. There is less pressure when praying by two’s or three’s or even
praying in front of a small group. Members can easily share their individual prayer requests and they can actually pray for
each other’s requests. In large groups, prayers must by necessity be representation – one or two persons praying on
behalf of everyone.

4. They can help members handle the stresses of life better. Small groups can provide an excellent emotional and
spiritual support when members are in crisis or during times of change and stress. For persons who are suffering from
loneliness, marital abuse and family life issues, this emotional and spiritual support is crucial.

5. They provide a natural, non-threatening way of sharing Jesus with relatives and friends. Many people will
never enter a church building. But they will be open to a casual discussion of the Bible in a home or in a neutral place.
The small group setting allows your non-Adventist friends to freely ask questions and even to express their honest
doubts without feeling “put on the spot”. The brotherly love, warmth and honesty your non-Adventist friends sees in
your small group will make them more open to the gospel.

6. They are a good way to develop ministry and leadership skills. As you participate in the life and activities of your
small group, you will be surprised to see God bringing out latent talents and skills. Being in a small group replaces in you
the spectator attitude with a participant mindset.

7. They can deepen one’s understanding and sense of worship. Many Adventists mistakenly believe that to have real
worship, one must be in church “with a sermon, a choir, and an offering plate!” [8] Worship happens whenever the focus
is on Jesus (Mt. 18:20). True worship is not in the externals but “in the spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24). This is best
achieved in a smaller group than in the large congregation.

8. They are ideal when believers are persecuted. All  throughout history, wherever and whenever believers are
persecuted, the church survives by having small home meetings. Small groups or home cells can more easily change
venue when necessary. Furthermore, because of they have fewer members, small groups are able to avoid detection by
authorities in countries that restrict church gathering. It can also avoid advertising one’s religious affiliation in a
community that is strongly anti-Christian.

Organizing Your Small Group

1. Select and recruit core group members. The first step in having a small group is to have a core group of 4-6 persons.
This will be your small group’s “inner circle.” Your core members should be individuals whom you enjoy being with. Here
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4/20/23, 9:37 AM Growing Disciples and Mission (2023): Unit 5 Lecture

are some suggested steps to accomplish the organization of your core group: a) Invite them to a
meeting of potential core group members; b) Share with them the purpose or mission of the
small group you are seeking to organize. c) Ask each core member for the following
commitment:

i. To pray daily for the small group that will be launched

ii. To meet regularly with the small group you are launching.
iii. To befriend and recruit at least one person to attend the small group.

Meet once a week with those who made the above commitment. Continue this meeting for at least a month in order
to develop good team chemistry among the core members. This is the time to really get to know each other – each
person’s strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes, etc. Pray together, share about each other’s concerns. Begin
interacting with each other as you would in a regular small group. Follow the W’s of house group meetings.

Choose your small group Leader, Assistant Leader, Secretary and Treasurer. These officers constitute your small group
committee that decides the activities of the small group.

i. The Leader is in charge of the program of the group assisted by the AssistantLeader who is being trained to take
over the next small group.

ii. The Secretary handles all records, minutes and reporting of church activities.

iii. The treasurer takes care of any collection and remittances of funds to the mother church.

2. Select and recruit small group members. Who should you invite in your small group? Invite 4-6 of your closest friends
(or friends of your core members). Begin with those who show a hunger to know more about God and His Word.

Tell them that you are organizing a discipleship small group where you are free to be yourself, to study God’s Word, to
ask questions and to support each other emotionally as well as through prayer.

Give them directions to the meeting place as well as the schedule (including duration) of the meeting.

Make them feel at home when they do attend your meeting. (You might want to ask a core member to serve as the
visitor’s sponsor or mentor with the responsibility of befriending, following-up on them throughout the week.)

At the end of the meeting, invite them to consider becoming a regular member of the small group. You might want to
keep a record of visitors together with contact information so you can more easily follow up on them.

3. Choose an appropriate venue. Select a meeting place that is conducive to camaraderie and has a measure of privacy.
Do not hold your small group meetings in a church building. Your house or that of another friend can be the initial venue
for the small group meeting. Look for a place that is free from distractions or one that will not call too much attention
from the outside. An alternative is to rent an apartment or room with fellow Adventists. You can then use the house or
room for meetings. You can also decide to change your venue every week. Each core member could take turns hosting
the small group meeting.

4. Plan your small group activities. Plan ahead. There should be a time to introduce each other. Use icebreakers to help
your friends to connect with each other. Make everyone feel welcome. A warm, welcoming and encouraging
environment where people have the chance to get to know each other, particularly in the beginning stage is crucial to
the success of your small group.[9] In the next section we will list the suggested parts of a small group worship program.
Below, however, are some suggestions related to singing and the use of music in small group meetings:

You may sing with or without accompaniment. You may use accompaniment CD (or download music tracks from the
internet).
Remember: Singing together is a good way of developing camaraderie and bonding. Choose songs and hymns that
exalt God.

A Word About Small Group Size:  Limit your small group to 12 members. Once your group reaches 13 regular attendees, you
should start a “daughter” small group. Duplicate the process of forming a small group. Start a core group of 4-6 for your
“daughter” small group with the former Assistant Leader as the “daughter” small group’s Leader.

Conducting a Small Group Meeting

 

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4/20/23, 9:37 AM Growing Disciples and Mission (2023): Unit 5 Lecture

1. Welcome (20 min.) – Spend some time to bond together. Get to

know one another through fellowship, joint activities, and structured
“welcome” time.

a. Everybody should sit around in a circle facing each other – not

sitting as a pew or facing front. It should be a relaxed
atmosphere. People can sit on the floor or with pillows.
b. Start with an icebreaker series of questions. Preferably
something to prepare the participants for the Bible lesson. For
example:
i. Where did you live before the ages of 7-12?
ii. How many brothers and sisters did you have?
iii. Who was the person you felt closest to?
iv. What is your favorite sport?

2. Worship (30 min) – This may include: singing, reading, reciting, litany, or prayer.

a. Spend time praying together (for other people’s needs) and for each other.
b. Introduce and practice different types of prayers: Adoration and praise, confession, guidance, dialogue,
intercessory, etc.
c. Read the Psalms aloud in unison or with each person reading a verse in turn (e.g., Psalm 8; 29, etc.)
d. Sing “Amazing Grace”
e. Ask for a period of silence for one minute; encourage the members to consider the ways God has comforted them
in past situations.

3. Word (30 min.) – This is the time for studying the Bible together. To prepare for a good Bible study, do the following:
a. Select an appropriate passage that has lessons for the members of your small group.
b. Learn to use an inductive Bible study method.
c. Do not sermonize. Just facilitate the study.
d. Be sure you prepared yourself by studying the background of the passage.

During the Bible study proper, here’s what needs to happen:

a. The leader introduces the focus of the study (a passage).
b. Everyone reads the passage either together out loud or one after another.
c. Then the leader reads the discussion questions, making sure to have everyone participate in the study. For
example:
Read 2 Cor. 1:3-5
Ask, “Share a time when you were in a crisis and God comforted you.”
After a time of sharing, then ask, “Can you recall a time when you were used by God to comfort someone else?”
Finally, ask, “Who in our group is in need of God’s comfort right now?”
d. Edify one another as God opens the way to comfort one another.

4. Witness (20 min.) – This is where you encourage members to serve their family, community or workplace.

a. Members share their experience in sharing about God’s love during the past week, or about the needs of relatives
and friends.
b. Talk about how the group can be God’s channel of blessing to others this week.
c. Encourage everyone to do something good for someone at his or her workplace or community during the week.
For example:
i. Share names and circumstances of unbelievers who are going through difficult times.
ii. Discuss how your small group might be able to witness to them by becoming God’s agents of comfort in
their time of distress.
iii. Plan outreach activities such as volunteering in civic duties, helping people, visiting hospitals.
d. End with intercessory prayer (by two’s or three’s).

5. Fellowship Meal (20 min.) – This is a very important small group activity because it bonds people together as they
share a common meal. It does not have to be a full meal. It can merely be some snacks prepared in advance. You may
also ask individual members to bring some food items when they come for the meeting. That way, the cost will not be on
the host only. Make eating a time for fellowship.

References
Comiskey, J. (2009). Planting Churches that Reproduce. Moreno Valley, CA: CCS Publishing.

Icenogle, G. W. (1994). Biblical Foundations for Small Group Ministry: An Integrational Approach. Downers Grove, Illinois, U.S.A.:
Intervarsity Press.

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4/20/23, 9:37 AM Growing Disciples and Mission (2023): Unit 5 Lecture

McBride, N. F. (1994). How to Lead Small Groups. Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.A.: Navpress.

O'Neal, S. (2010, October 6). Small Group Dynamics: The Four Stages of Group Development. Retrieved April 9, 2014, from
SmallGroups.Com: http://blog.smallgroups.com/2010/10/the_four_stages_of_group_devel.html

Schilt, W. C. (1992). Dynamic Small Groups: How to Make Them Happen. Hagerstown, Maryland, U.S.A.: Review & Herald.

Warren, R. (2015). 8 Reasons to Start a Small Group. Retrieved June 17, 2015, from RickWarren.Org:
http://rickwarren.org/connect/why-start-a-small-group-

White, E. G. (1946). Evangelism. In Ellen G. White Writings: Comprehensive Research Edition 2008. Ellen G. White Estate.

________. (1915). Gospel Workers. In Ellen G. White Writings: Comprehensive Research Edition 2008. Ellen G. White Estate.

________. (1933). An Appeal for Self-Supporting Laborers to Enter Unworked Fields. In Ellen G. White Writings: Comprehensive
Research Edition 2008. Ellen G. White Estate.

________. (1979). This Day with God. In Ellen G. White Writings: Comprehensive Research Edition 2008. Ellen G. White Estate.

End Notes

[1] McBride, 1994, p. 13.

[2] McBride.

[3] McBride, p. 14.

[4] Icenogle, 1994, p. 10.

[5] McBride, 1994, pp. 16, 17

[6] McBride, p. 18.

[7] McBride, p. 19.

[8] Warren, 2015.

[9] O'Neal, 2010.

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