This document discusses the importance and benefits of small group work from biblical and practical perspectives. It provides quotes from pastors Rick Warren and Andy Stanley emphasizing that small groups are essential for discipleship, evangelism, fellowship and spiritual growth. The document also outlines different approaches to organizing and structuring small groups, including considerations for group size, composition, leadership, and integrating discipleship, worship, and outreach.

1. Group Work
A biblical understanding
• Hebrews 10:24-25
• Matthew 18:20
• Acts 2: 46
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work

2. Group Work
“Small groups are the centre of our discipleship,
the structure of our ministry, the launch pad of
our evangelism, the enrichment of our worship,
and the network of our fellowship.”
By Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church
Rick Warren, “Foreword,” in Small Groups with Purpose:
How to Create Healthy Communities by Steve Gladen
Baker Books, 2013, p7.
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work

3. Group Work
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work
“The small-group program is not an
appendage; it is not a program we tacked
onto an existing structure.
The small group is part of our lifestyle.”
By Andy Stanley, pastor of North Point Community
Church
From Creating Community: Five keys to building a small group culture by
Andy Stanley and Bill Willits, 2004. p13

4. Group Work
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work
Small groups work in different ways. This depends on
the particular church situation, some will meet once a
week, some two or three times a month and very rarely
once a month. Some groups start with a meal others
may not. Some have an emphasis, it might be looking
at scripture, it might be community, it might be around a
task or reaching out in some way or other. And of
course there are a multitude of names such as, life
groups, home, groups, cell groups, connect groups.
From: celluk.org.uk/about/what-is-a-small-group-2/
July 2020

5. • What is the best group
you have ever belonged
to?
• Who uses group work in
their youth work?
• What does it look like?
• Why is group work
useful?
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work
Group Work

6. Understanding group work
Life cycle of groups (Tuckman 1965)
• Forming
• Storming
• Norming
• Performing
• Adjourning
http://infed.org/mobi/bruce-w-tuckman-forming-
storming-norming-and-performing-in-groups
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work

7. Size of groups matter
• Small (3-6) good for intimacy and
openness, friendship, can be too intense
for some.
• Medium (6-12) good for those lacking in
confidence, games, general
conversation, sharing less personal
stories.
• Large (12+) good for activities, larger
tasks, organising events and
celebration.
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work
Understanding group work

8. Different types of groups
• Aims (purpose, outcomes?)
• Different members every time?
• Amount of time in group?
• Content (conversation, activity?)
• Relational (intentional or focused on
activity)
• Expectations (shared or varied)
• Location (home, church, sport…)
Understanding group work
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work
Understanding group work

9. Leadership of groups
• Peer-led
• Adult-led
• Facilitating, not dictating
• Servant-led
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work
Understanding group work

10. Discipleship, Evangelism, Mission & Worship
Cell groups
• An effective discipleship tool
• Confronts dualism - lifestyle, not meeting
• Values
• Jesus at the centre
• Community
• Every member growing
• Every member ministry
• Evangelism
• 4 Ws (Welcome, Worship, Word and Witness)
http://celluk.org.uk/cuk2/about/what-is-cell
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work

11. Cell groups
• Young leaders - identifying, mentoring,
supporting and training.
• Multiplication - assistant cell leader takes
half the group and starts again
Discipleship, Evangelism, Mission & Worship
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work

12. Cell groups
• Comfort zone (no challenge)
• Growth zone (some challenge)
• Danger zone (too much challenge)
Discipleship, Evangelism, Mission & Worship
2e & 2f Discipleship, evangelism, mission
and worship in group work