The Big Book on Small Groups, Revised

by Jeffrey Arnold

Publisher:

IVP

, 2004

Overview

What's so big about small groups? With proven results in drawing people into community and helping them grow to maturity in Christ, small groups have established themselves as a crucial ministry of the church to its members and its mission field. But whether leading a small group, coaching small group leaders or implementing a churchwide ministry, you need vision, knowledge and skill to minister effectively through small groups. Jeffrey Arnold knows the pressures of small group ministry, but he has also seen the power of small groups in many ministry settings. In this revised edition of The Big Book on Small Groups, he breaks down small groups so that you can see them from all angles. The first four chapters focus on the structure and benefits of a small group ministry. Further chapters explore the basics of Christian community--prayer, worship, Bible study, outreach and mission, as well as how to multiply groups. Resources for further reading, ideas for coaches and trainers, and curriculum to photocopy for small group sessions are also included. A constant companion throughout your small group ministry, The Big Book on Small Groups will give you the basics to get you going--and the support and nurture you need to make small groups effective as a strategy for outreach and discipleship.

Contents

Top Highlights

“When writing a group covenant, you will want to consider identity issues (who we are); task issues (what we do); communication issues (how we interact); and role issues (who does what).” (Pages 67–68)

“Covenants stipulate the mutual expectations and responsibilities involved when we participate in a transaction or relationship between at least two parties.” (Page 67)

“The first step is to pull together a small group of disciples who are willing to grow under your leadership. The place to start, when attempting to gather a group, is on your knees. In Luke 6:12–16 we read that before Jesus chose those who would follow him for the next few years, he committed the choice to his heavenly Father.” (Page 63)

“A Christian leader’s character is evident in his or her relationship to God” (Page 47)

“The church needed the house church for its survival. There were periods of intense persecution for the first few centuries after Christ, so the early church was often not able to meet openly, nor were they allowed to purchase large buildings for gathering. They relied on the more protective environment of the home to nurture and protect the gospel in the lives of believers. Somehow the church was able to multiply without large buildings, mass meetings and a plethora of ‘how to’ books.” (Page 21)

Product Details

• Title: The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition)
• Author: Jeffrey Arnold
• Publisher: IVP
• Print Publication Date: 2004
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Pages: 263
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Textbooks; Church group work; Small groups › Religious aspects--Christianity
• ISBNs: 9780830878567, 9780830823703, 9780369370457, 0830878564, 0830823700, 0369370457
• Resource ID: LLS:WS_FEAAB2B5605C4B2EBE1A068D8F4BD085
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T04:29:04Z