SMALL GROUP

IS THIS A SMALL GROUP?

“The small group movement is beginning to change society, it both changes our understandings of community and

redefine spirituality” – Robert Wuthnow

40% of adults in the US claim to be members in a small group for regular support and care. ~30 million small groups in existence, one group for every 80 people.

The church cannot ignore small groups. Even though changing, small group programs will continue to play a major role in God’s Work throughout the next century.

The challenge to us:

FIND A WAY TO INTEGRATE / MIX SMALL GROUP MINISTRY IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS DONE WITH THEOLOGICAL INTEGRITY AND PROGRAM QUALITY.

WHY DO PEOPLE JOIN SMALL GROUPS?

If you have not joined a small group, you may wonder what attracts people.

How does small groups profit people?

1. SG stimulate at the core of our being.2. God created us to be relational, social.3. We crave for interaction with our own kind.

4. Isolation, “loner”ness brings disastrous effects

5. Participation to SG contributes to our personal wholeness and wellbeing

Interpersonal Contributions of SG Membership

1. Psychological well-being requires the presence of others.

-detachment leads to sickness, destruction of health, loneliness and isolation.

-to be excluded is excruciatingly painful.

In Hebrew/Israel/Jewish culture, to be excluded is the worst punishment.-the threat of being reject leads people to behave well.

To feel loved makes life worth living.Knowing that I matter or I am important to someone makes gives my life meaning and purpose.

Our sense of identity and self-worth is influenced by the feedback we receive from others.

Most people need interaction / voices of other people in order to feel secure on who they are and what they want to become in life.

Studies show that people join small groups to validate/ confirm their attitudes, opinions, and beliefs about themselves.

If we can relate to others or others relate to us, our perspectives are shaped, our thoughts become clear, and as a person, we reassure our selves.

Support Groups/ Recovery Groups are proven methods for helping people develop new patterns of behavior.

If people feel freedom to disclose (reveal) their self, they respond differently

The encouragement and supportive presence of others can encourage us to face up to difficult issues or areas where growth is needed.

Presence of godly people encourages us to move to new levels of growth and obedience.

Programs that require discipline (e.g. Weight loss, exercise) are accomplished by partnerships or group accountability.

People identify their spiritual growth levels in life with a presence of supportive group community.

People also join small groups because they are assured that others have felt similar pain to their own and have survived. They want to be like survivors too.

The presence of people who have experienced similar pain and suffering brings peace and comfort to those who are still on the way of suffering.

Is Small Group Biblical?

ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. Ecc 4:10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Ecc 4:11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? Ecc 4:12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Genesis 2:18

I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. Numbers 11:14

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, Haggai 1:14

Being able to disclose (reveal, make known) the

truth that one harbors (hide), brings freedom and sense of empowerment to

MOVE IN.

People need small groups in the midst of life’s

disappointments.

People need small groups in the midst of life’s

disappointments.

4Ws1. Welcome2. Worship 3. Word4. Work

MakeSmall Group

Your Life’s Ministry

Accountability Questions

1. How is your personal devotion? Daily Bible reading? What book are you now.2. How is your relationship to your family?3. How is your relationship to the opposite sex? Any developing?4. Have you gone to questionable places? Watched questionable materials (website/books/mags?5. What are your thoughts/ status on spiritual life?

Relational Questions

1. Your Name2. Something about Your Family3. Reason why you join