March 7, 2011
Tend Them. Grow Them. Keep Them!
David Roadcup explains why a well-led small groups ministry can help believers build relationships, study Scripture, receive care, discover gifts, and grow toward spiritual maturity.
Small Groups
Small Groups helps churches build disciple-making communities where people grow in Scripture, prayer, and relationships. Explore practical, Bible-based articles on launching and leading groups, training leaders, choosing curriculum, facilitating discussion, and creating healthy group culture. You’ll find guidance on group multiplication, care and accountability, welcoming new people, and connecting groups to the church’s mission. Whether you lead a group, oversee a small groups ministry, or want to strengthen community in your congregation, these resources equip you to help people follow Jesus together.
March 6, 2011
Smaller Churches Need Small Groups Too!
Eric Bingaman explains how small groups can help smaller churches move beyond Sunday morning familiarity into deeper biblical community, prayer, encouragement, and shared life.
March 2, 2011
How to Organize a Small Group Ministry
Kent Odor outlines practical steps for launching a small group ministry, from defining the goal and choosing a leader to building a team and starting at the right time.
February 3, 2011
Clear the Snow, Clear the Snow . . .
Momentum Christian Church in Garfield Heights, Ohio, turns February snow into a small group outreach challenge, encouraging Mo Groups to shovel driveways and bless neighbors.
January 24, 2011
Why Churches Should Euthanize Small Groups
Brian Jones challenges church leaders to rethink small groups, arguing that discipleship grows through Spirit-led community and formed disciples—not merely organized meetings and discussion guides.
November 5, 2010
Smaller Groups, More Disciples
Michael Mack explains why small group leaders burn out when they try to disciple too many people and points to Jesus’ focused investment in three disciples as a healthier model.
November 5, 2010
Marks of a Successful Discipler
Rick Lowry offers a concise checklist for small group leaders, emphasizing personal spiritual growth, prayerful care for members, intentional discipleship, and purposeful meeting planning.
November 4, 2010
It”s All About Change
By Bill Search We”ve called change different things through the years: discipleship, edification, sanctification, transformation, spiritual formation. These are really great terms, but they convey one simple idea: how people become more like Jesus. A healthy small group should help people change. But many of our groups get off track. Ironically, the love for Scripture can accidentally distract us from the ultimate goal of changing to become like Jesus. You Need to Know More Some groups take a materialistic approach to Bible study. They crave to know more. They may not have the same intense desire to become different people,
November 4, 2010
Seven Hallmarks of a Healthy Small Group
Michael Mack outlines seven biblical values Northeast Christian Church uses to evaluate healthy small groups, from Christ-centered leadership and shared ownership to authentic community, discipleship, service, outreach, and reproduction.
November 3, 2010
Small Groups . . . Foundation for a Healthy Church
Dick Alexander explains why small groups are essential to biblical church life, offering the community, pastoral care, accountability, and “one another” relationships large worship gatherings cannot provide.
November 1, 2010
Fun and Games
Sherwood Oaks Christian Church used Tom Ellsworth’s It’s Your Move books to turn summer board game nights into intergenerational Bible study and welcoming connection.
January 4, 2009
Small Groups that Give and Live Graciously
Brian Mavis shares how LifeBridge Christian Church gave small groups half their tithes to invest in ministry, helping members serve needs, grow in generosity, and strengthen community.
August 31, 2008
Everyone Connected: Relational Strategies to Get Your Whole Church Involved
Michael C. Mack offers seven relational strategies for helping people connect in small groups, urging church leaders to equip God’s people and restore a New Testament understanding of church.
August 27, 2008
Meaningful Connections and Maturing Disciples?
Mark A. Taylor considers concerns from Brian Jones and Mike Mack about small group ministry, asking whether churches are creating meaningful connections and maturing disciples.
July 4, 2008
Interview with Jim Putman
Jim Putman explains how Real Life Ministries built a discipleship-focused church culture around small groups, intentional leaders, apprentices, coaches, and relational environments for spiritual growth.
June 8, 2008
Good to Great Groups
Michael C. Mack explains how small groups can move from good to great through transformed leaders, devoted teams, and a God-Sized Plan that pushes them toward mission.
June 8, 2008
God’s Word on Great Shepherds
Michael C. Mack explores the biblical role of shepherd-leaders in small groups, emphasizing stewardship, personal care, spiritual growth, and outreach to those who are lost.
June 8, 2008
Great Small Groups Need Shepherds
Michael C. Mack explains why great small group leaders must be more than facilitators or hosts. They are shepherds who follow Jesus’ model of spiritual guidance and care.
June 8, 2008
Light on Our Path
Diane Stortz shares how reading through the Bible in a small group helped participants know God, gain wisdom, build community, and experience spiritual transformation together.
June 8, 2008
Small Group Resources that Make a Big Impact
Dale Reeves highlights small group ministry resources from Standard Publishing designed to strengthen biblical community, deepen faith, and equip churches with participant guides, discussion books, and multimedia studies.
