By Mike North

1. Module Two:
Understanding Children & Young People
& Ministry Practice

2. Group Work
A biblical understanding
• Hebrews 10: 24-25
• Matthew 18: 20
• Acts 2: 46
Group work

3. 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.
Group work

4. “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
Group work
Group Work

5. 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
Group work
Group Work

6. • 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?
Group work
Group Work

7. 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
Group work

8. 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.
Understanding group work
Group work

9. 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…)
Group work
Understanding group work

10. Leadership of groups
• Peer-led
• Adult-led
• Facilitating, not dictating
• Servant-led
Understanding group work
Group work

11. 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
Group work

12. Cell groups
• Young leaders - identifying, mentoring,
supporting and training.
• Multiplication - assistant cell leader takes
half the group and starts again
Discipleship, Evangelism, Mission & Worship
Group work

13. Cell groups
• Comfort zone (no challenge)
• Growth zone (some challenge)
• Danger zone (too much challenge)
Discipleship, Evangelism, Mission & Worship
Group work

14. Module Two:
Understanding Children & Young People
& Ministry Practice