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How to keep your small groups involved in discipleship
By Paul | February 1, 2007
by Steve Gladen
Community is belonging together, joining as part of the Body of Christ for the biblical purposes that Jesus charged us with keeping. And since small groups are also chartered with keeping the purposes, how do we turn them into small groups centered around God’s purposes? And as a part of that, how do we ensure they’re growing in discipleship?
Clearly, there are some things to be mindful of.
Don’t let groups become fellowship-only groups. Even though fellowship may be the single greatest benefit cited by many people for why they get in a small group. “I want to have friends.” “I want to make close friends.” “I’d like to be able to count on people, just like family.” Almost everyone wants those things. But left at just fellowship, people will just hang out together. While fellowship is critical for true discipleship to happen, when we just eat and fellowship together, the only growth we get is in our waist. Bringing in discipleship while maintaining fellowship is all part of balancing the purposes in group life.
Help them get regular spiritual checkups. Unlike physical checkups that are done by medical professionals, each member of your group can check his or her own spiritual vital signs with a quick assessment. In fact, you can get tools for your group members to use to see how they are doing in trying to live a purpose driven life.
A little structure goes a long way. Shape your groups’ expectations for not only the length of group meetings but also for how to set up discipleship properly. Just like a worship service, great small group meetings have a certain rhythm. They start with fellowship to bond people together. Then, there is a time to focus hearts and minds on God. Next, there might be the time to get into discipleship, now that people are settled down and ready for the Word. Then, wrap up with praise and petitions in prayer, to remind all in attendance of our daily, minute-by-minute dependence on God. The order can change somewhat, and groups can add in other things, but you can see how this meeting flow naturally sets up discipleship.
Keep it interesting. Jesus certainly wasn’t boring and your small group discipleship elements shouldn’t induce sleep, either. A simple small group evaluation is what our groups do to track what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next.
Help groups understand their role in discipleship. Small groups are the best place for discipleship. Members of the groups should be able to apply what they’re learning to real-life situations immediately as they discuss what they’re learning in the group. As they see the applications of the group studies to their lives, the lessons take on greater value and thus are even more memorable to members. Being able to be with real people who live real lives that model how to live the Christian life further embeds the life application.
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Avoid lopsided leadership. Without a system and a structure to balance the five purposes (holistic discipleship), your small group will overemphasize the purpose that expresses the gifts and passions of its host/leader. So what do you do? What you don’t do is make the leader change his or her giftedness. What you do is play to the strengths of the leader and develop the other purposes that aren’t the strengths of the leader by getting the other members of the group involved. This way discipleship won’t be left out.
Topics: Instruct |
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