Making Your Small Group Work Session 1

Session 1: Getting connected–God’s purpose for small groups

Welcome to Making Your Small Group Work! We are excited to begin the journey with you and your group. This resource is designed to be a training experience for both members and leaders, so the entire group can see, learn, and understand the essential elements for successful, growing small groups—together.

The Session 1 video contains three segments:

1. Why Groups? (8 minutes)
2. God’s Purpose for Groups (12 minutes)
3. Closing Thoughts (3 minutes)

Review Segment 2: Why Small Groups?

The “theology” of small groups: God uses people to bring grace and transformation

• Ephesians 4:16—“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
• I Peter 4:10—“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
• John 17:20–21—Jesus desires for us to experience oneness and unity

• The goal of small groups is spiritual growth
Grace, truth, and time

• Grace: God is for you
• Truth: reality that comes from Scripture and other people
• Time: the process by which growth and transformation occur

Segment Three: Closing Thoughts

What we’ve covered:

• Groups are God’s delivery system of care: he uses people
• The outcome of group life is spiritual growth in all areas of life
• “Oneness” is God’s desire for his people

Making Your Small Group Course

• Intro
• Session One: Getting Connected—God’s Purpose for Small Groups
• Session Two: Five Habits of Life-Changing Groups
• Session Three: Setting Ground Rules
• Session Four: Determining Your Group’s Purpose