This is the course I wish I would have had 35 years ago when I started small group ministry.” – Steve Gladen
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- 8 HD video session taught by Steve Gladen
- A downloadable workbook
- Lesson discussion questions
- An official Small Group Network completion certificate
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Learn more by watching the free course introduction & ENROLL HERE!
Someone recently posted a question on the Small Group Network Facebook Group about groups that are sick of Zoom and still can’t meet. It got me thinking of the possibility of Super Small Groups—groups of about five. These would be legal in most places and the safer than larger groups.
The WHO of Super Small Groups:
All during the pandemic, I have never stopped seeing my kids. There are a handful of others that I have not stopped seeing. This group would be the WHO. I am intrigued by the Saddleback mantra, “Want to start a group? Just grab two friends.”
If you start with your closest friends you avoid the awkwardness that often comes with new groups. You can go deeper quicker because you already know each other.
Five wouldn’t be an exact number, but the idea is to keep it super small. By the time you got to eight, you might consider starting a new group.
The WHY of Super Small Groups:
There is an inverse relationship between the size of the group and the amount of life change. The smaller the group, the bigger the life change. Super small groups challenge, confront, comfort, love, and change one another. There is a tendency in larger groups to have spectators. If thee is a back row, it is not a small group. Groups of about five don’t have a back row.
The WHAT of Super Small Groups:
Super Small groups can do five things and need a champion do be in charge of each of these things. We don’t want one leader who does everything. We want five people leading the group in five areas:
Fellowship
The fellowship champion could plan a meal. Or snacks. Or, they could plan some fellowship questions to lead the group past talking about the weather and sports. Or, they might plan a game night once a month or so.
Worship
The worship champion could pick out some great worship videos on Youtube and be prepared to lead the group in worship. Or, they could read a Psalm and lead a worship-only time of prayer. I found some groups find this more difficult—and more helpful—than they imagined. We tend to think of prayer and we go into asking mode. The worship leader reminds us that prayer should include a healthy dose of worship.
Teaching
This could be live teaching or video teaching. You might use a resource like Good Questions Have Groups Talking. (Google it.) If you can ask 20 Questions, you can lead a small group.
Evangelism
These next two are talked about in group, but practiced out of group. The evangelism champion might lead in a prayer each week that is focused on praying for our lost friends. Or, they might just lead a time of discussing what conversations we have had about Christ. It may be that we don’t do more evangelism that we do because we don’t make a habit of talking about each week when we are together. The evangelism champion would remind us to talk about it.
Service
The service champion could encourage the group to do a service project once a month or so. Google “servant evangelism” for ideas.
Final thoughts
You probably noticed that these five activities and the five champions correspond with the five purposes of the church. This is not accidental. The vision is that these super small groups would be microcosms of the church. Micro-churches.
Thoughts? Write your comments below.
