Small groups are not automatically effective. It takes intentionality to make them accomplish their mission.
By Ed Stetzer
Transformational discipleship involves moving people from sitting in rows, where they are simply in proximity to one another, to sitting in circles. From there, they move into community with one another.
When Eric Geiger and I were writing Transformational Groups, we studied 2,300 churches sponsored by 15 denominations. Less than half of those churches said they had a plan for discipling people. Only 60 percent had someone responsible for the spiritual formation of children, students, and adults.
The vast majority of these churches weren’t satisfied with the state of discipleship or spiritual formation. We know there is a great level of dissatisfaction in many churches about where they are on the issue of discipleship, but what is the solution?
We also conducted a Transformational Discipleship study of more than 3,000 Protestant churchgoers and asked them about spiritual formation. One of the five items most predictive for spiritual maturity was participation in a small class or group of adults such as a small group, Bible study, or adult Bible fellowship.
But what makes a small group thrive? Our studies discovered five elements of a transformational small-group environment: mission orientation, word-driven mentality, multiplication mindset, stranger welcoming, and kingdom-focused.
1. Mission Orientation
First, every small group should be mission oriented and focused on becoming part of and following God in His mission for the world. When someone becomes a believer, he or she takes on the responsibility of being globally minded; this mindset contributes to his or her spiritual growth and maturity.
Small groups need to be firmly rooted in the Scriptures, which are a source of life and growth.
2. Word-Driven Mentality
Second, small groups need to be firmly rooted in the Scriptures, which are a source of life and growth. Sharing life’s struggles and encouraging one another is a healthy part of any community. But too much sharing can make the group seem like a support group. The needs people share in the group need to always be hedged-in and examined through the lens of Scripture.
3. Multiplication Mindset
A third aspect of transformational discipleship groups is a multiplication mindset. The purpose of a group is to eventually reproduce into another group that is making and growing disciples of Christ. This element of small groups helps members stay open to change and inviting to new people.
In order for this element to function properly and most effectively, church leaders need to relinquish ministry and leadership into the hands of believers in their church and not cling tightly to power. While groups can multiply under the leadership of an elite few in the church, the possibilities of growth is minuscule compared to what occurs when the laity are leading their smalls groups.
4. Stranger Welcoming
A fourth element of small groups is that they are welcoming of strangers. Small groups must always be aware of new people in the church and new people in their groups. Intentionality involves creating a welcoming and relational environment for new people. Without this the group becomes inward-focused and loses sight of the mission to make more disciples.
5. Kingdom-Focused
A fifth and final component of transformational groups is a kingdom-focused mindset. Groups need to stay focused on what God wants to accomplish in their time together, not how they can be the most exciting small group in the church. Groups cannot exist for the sole purpose of emotional support for its members, but must find their place in God’s greater plan of advancing his kingdom.
Transformational discipleship can happen when small groups are focused on God’s mission, His kingdom, and His word. And when they are welcoming to strangers and intent on multiplying. All of this begins when people move out of the pew and into circles in order to be in community with one another and provoke one another to love and good deeds. This is essential.
Small groups that produce transformational discipleship are essential not only to the spiritual growth and maturity of church members but also to the advancement of the gospel.
Ed Stetzer is the Executive Director of LifeWay Research Division.
Originally posted at christianitytoday.com/edstetzer.
