Small Group Articles

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 - 11:24 AM CST

Transitioning to Small Groups

Three Ways to Get Small Groups Going by Brett Eastman
Three Steps to Making your Small Group Dream Come True for your Church by Brett Eastman
Making the Small Group Transition by Dale Galloway
Small group ministry is not an option if people are to be cared for. What steps can a pastor take to make the transition to small group ministry?
Interview: Starting A Small Group Ministry In Your Church by Judy Hamlin
Transitioning to Small Group [ZIP files includes PowerPoint and Notes (PDF)] by Dr. Lori O’Dea
Getting started can be the most difficult part of small group ministry. In fact, it is not uncommon for a church to try and fail up to three times prior to launching a successful small group ministry. However, with the proper training and steps churches can achieve success the first time! A readiness assessment tool is provided to guide churches through the decisions required prior to launching a small group ministry. Included in this PPT are pitfalls to avoid as well as critical factors for successful transition (including process, time, and cost factors).
Small Groups And The Program Mentality By Jim Petersen
Transitioning: Growing into the Church you Want to Be by Dan Southerland
Developing an Effective Small Group Ministry by Bill Willits
Adapted from Creating Community: 5 Keys to Building a Small Group Culture by Andy Stanley and Bill Willits

Types of Small Groups

Differences in three systems: Sidebar
The G12 Report (PDF) by Wes Bartel
A study concerning the G-12 and Tres Dias movements. It includes its history, context, and possible guidelines regarding how these emphases could be used within a local Assemblies of God church context.
Small Groups: For What Purpose? by Richard A. Cleveland
Strategies of Cell-based Ministry Today by Joel Comiskey
Chapter 3 of Joel Comiskey’s Ph.D. Dissertation on small groups. This chapter looks at cell group strategies today, including the Pure Cell model and the Meta model.
First Church, Community Church, Believer’s Fellowship by Karen Hurston and Judy Hamlin
Three basic types of small-group systems
Six Group Models (PDF) by Karen Hurston
Types of Home Groups (PDF) by Karen Hurston

Advantages of Small Groups

Ask the Superintendent
Enrichment Journal Interview with Thomas E. Trask. The concept of small group ministry is as old as the day of creation. In this quarterly interview, General Superintendent Thomas E. Trask reflects on his years of pastoring and the place small groups had in the life of the church.
Love Flows through Small Groups at LakeShore
North Texas District Q & A with Pastor Brad Howard
Christians Grow In Groups by Billie Davis
Rooted in their needs not to be lost, people are social beings created to fellowship with God and with each other. A small group is the best soil for development of community and growth.
The Power and Potential of Small Groups by Brett Eastman
Principles that have unlocked amazing growth and community outreach for church after church can happen in your church too.
Why SMALL Groups are Such a Big Deal and Getting Bigger Everyday! by Brett Eastman
Small Groups: Loyalty Builders or Loyalty Busters by Carl George
In a properly administered small group system, division and disharmony are not the threats they have been in the past. The author has observed a five-stage adoption process that churches have gone through to achieve loyalty among their small groups.
Small Groups: The Sure Way to See Lives Changed by Chip Ingram
To Cell or Not to Cell by David Lim
Cells are useful for fellowship, ministries and gifts, growth, and direction. If your church is not reaching its full potential in these areas, are you willing to pay the price.
What’s The Big Deal About Small Groups? by Neal F. McBride
Why was a small group such an important part of Jesus’ ministry?
Look Back, Leap Forward by Gary L. Mcintosh
Churches can be prisoners of the past. But the core values that gave meaning in the past can help churches develop vision for the 21st century. A great article for helping you make the transition to small groups.
Small Groups: Incubators of Discipleship by John Townsend
Small Groups Help a Church Grow Smaller and Larger by Andrew Martin and Jon Walker
Breaking Through the Attendance Barrier by Rick Warren
Fellowship: Experiencing Life Together by Rick Warren
Relationships are Essential for Spiritual Growth by Rick Warren
Relationships: The Glue that Holds your Church Together by Rick Warren
Small Groups Give Every Member Personal Care and Attention by Rick Warren
Growing the Church through Small Groups: How One Church Does It

History of Small Groups

A Brief History Of Small Groups: Sidebar by Jim and Carol Plueddemann
A Brief History of Small Groups by Elesha Coffman
Take a quick tour of the origin and development of today’s small groups.
History of the Cell Movement by Joel Comiskey
Chapter 2 of Joel Comiskey’s Ph.D. Dissertation on small groups. This chapter covers the history of small groups from the Old Testament to Methodism.

Leadership Training

Building A New Generation Of Leaders by Bill Donahue
How To Fail At Small Groups by Bruce T. Ballast
Recruiting A Few Good Leaders by Gary D. Preston
Six Small Group Killers by Neal F. Mcbride
Successful Small Groups
Taming Talker Trudy … And Other Perturbing Personalities In Your Bible Study by Neal F. McBride
Those group members with trying temperaments have a unique contribution to make.
Troubleshooting In Small Groups by Ron Nicholas
If Paul Led Your Small Group by Neal F. McBride
Disarming Difficulties by Neal F. McBride
Let Me Ask You a Question by Karen Lee-Thorp
Common pitfalls to avoid when asking discussion questions
How to Kill a Small Group by Clark Cothern
Unraveling the mystery of three invisible killers
Small Group Outreach by Richard Peace
Here’s how to introduce the truths of Christianity in a relaxed, non-threatening setting that can even be fun!
Being a Good Small-Group Member
Are you a good small-group member? Small-group members are just as important to the success of a small group as good leadership. Here are a few questions small-group members can ask themselves as they think about their participation…
Winding it up: Finishing a Small-Group Meeting
How thoroughly should you summarize your small-group discussion? Not very. Let people go home with their hearts and thoughts churning.
Strengthening Your Group Leadership Skills by Ross Adelmann
A four-part online PPT training series that includes an online workbook and additional online resources.
How not to Prepare a Bible study by Ann Boyd
A humorous look at getting ready to lead a messy small-group discussion
Five Ways to Help a Task-Orientated Small Group by Brett Eastman
Help! I’m Hosting a New Small Group! by Brett Eastman
How to Help your Leaders Develop their Gifts by Brett Eastman
Looking for a Few Small Group Leaders? by Brett Eastman
Making your Group Real ’Friends’: Seven Principles for Deepening Small Group Relationships by Brett Eastman
Seven ways to Nurture your Small Group Leaders by Brett Eastman
Six Tips for Keeping New Small Groups Healthy by Brett Eastman
Churches Discover Creative Child Care Options for Small Groups by Adam Flowers
How to Keep your Small Groups Involved in Discipleship by Steve Gladen
How to Increase the Small Group Connection at your Church by Steve Gladen
A Balanced Small Group Strategy by Steve Gladen
Build your Small Groups Around God’s Purposes by Steve Gladen
Making your Small Groups Models of Evangelism by Steve Gladen
Making your Small Groups Models of Fellowship by Steve Gladen
Turn your Church’s Small Group Hosts into Leaders by Steve Gladen
Let Small Groups Lighten your Pastoral Care Load by Robyn S. Henk
The Best Small-group Leaders I’ve Known by Sue Kline
Characteristics and qualities of good small-group leaders.
Leading Questions by Gareth Weldon Icenogle
Finding and keeping good leaders involves a lot more than just getting them to say Yes.
The Childcare Checklist by Michael Mack
Use this practical tool to determine the childcare options in your small group.
If Jesus Led Your Small Group by Mark Mitchell
Seven surprising insights from the Upper Room.
Breaking Growth Barriers in Small Group Ministry by Dr. Lori O’Dea
"No More Mr. Nice Group" by John Ortberg
Discover the 5 practices of confession, application, accountability, guidance, and encouragement–disciplines that can ignite authentic spiritual formation in your small group.
Free online tool for making Jesus-focused disciples by Vipool Patel
Do the people you are making into Jesus’ disciples have a basic understanding of Jesus’ commands, core teachings, character, crucifixion, and interactions with real people? Are you sure?
Small Group Outreach by Richard Pearce
Here’s how to introduce the truths of Christianity in a relaxed, non-threatening setting that can even be fun!
Suggestions for Developing Deep Relationships in a Small Group by Pcom Pete
Connecting On Purpose (PDF) by Teresa Quinn
This small group training lesson discusses the role of the leader and host, how to plan and prepare for group time, how to encourage people to serve God with their lives, how to build a healthy small group, and how to take group members deeper in their connection with each other.
How To Encourage People To Participate by Tami Rudkin
Silence. The only sound you hear is the ticking of the clock. You glance around and see people shifting uncomfortably in their seats. No one will look you in the eye. It’s every leader’s worst nightmare…
Food: The Secret Ingredient to Small Groups by Thom and Joani Schultz
Three Ways the Senior Pastor can Influence a Church’s Small Groups by Kenny Shook
Building Small Groups that Matter by Rick Warren
Cultivating Community Within your Church by Rick Warren
Seven Ways a Small Group can Reach People for Jesus by Rick Warren
Taming The Over-Talkative by Dan Williams
An overtalkative small group member can stifle small-group dynamics. Here’s help.
Making your Small Groups Models of Discipleship by Lance Witt
Making your Small Groups Models of Ministry by Lance Witt

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The Future of Small Groups

Retired Assistant General Superintendent and former Commissioner of Discipleship, Charles Crabtree, shared on the future of small groups in the Assemblies of God. “Small Groups have relaxed atmospheres,” he says, “where people can be nurtured in healthy relationships, led into healthy discipleship and where they can grow and develop a healthy hunger for the Lord.” Listen to the message.