Four Strategies for Growing Your Small Group Dr. Randy Wollf.
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Transcript of Four Strategies for Growing Your Small Group Dr. Randy Wollf.
What Makes Small Groups Grow?
Many Churches have Small Groups
Inspired by a Biblical model or principles
Motivated by practical reasons
Church health and growth
Improved outreach, discipleship, assimilation
What’s Going On?
Some had seen wonderful results
Many have struggled
The Research
3000 Small Group Leaders Surveyed
In over 200 churches
Scientific Statistical Methodology
Factor Analysis
Beyond Correlations to Path Analysis
Some results were expected. Some were surprising!
What characteristics & behaviors of leaders matter?
Note: This presentation is based on the research in the book, Small Groups, Big Impact by Jim Egli & Dwight Marable. The PowerPoint is a modified version of the one found at http://smallgroupsbigimpact.com.
The Research
Underlying assumption
If groups want to be successful long-term, they must draw people to Christ, successfully assimilate those people into group life, and launch or create new groups.
Assimilation
Conversion Growth
Multiplication
Small group leaders whose groups grow most rapidly are Matter
s?Matters?
Married? Y or N Spending more time praying for group meetings?
Y or N
Younger? Y or N Spending more time preparing the lesson for their meetings?
Y or N
Well educated? Y or N Praying consistently for non-Christian friends?
Y or N
Outgoing? Y or N Modelling and encouraging friendship evangelism?
Y or N
Gifted in evangelism?
Y or N Encouraging caring relationships and fun activities?
Y or N
Gifted teachers?
Y or N Spending time with members outside the meetings?
Y or N
Spending more time with God?
Y or N Noticing and encouraging others’ gifts and abilities?
Y or N
Praying consistently for group members?
Y or N Identifying and utilizing potential leaders?
Y or N
What does NOT matter
Marital Status
Age
Educational Level
Personality
Spiritual Gifts
Time devoted to lesson prep.
Growing Groups have Leaders who...
Spend More Time with God
Pray Consistently for Members
Pray More for their Meetings
Pray for Non-Christian Friends
Model Relational Outreach
Encourage Relationships
Spend Time with Others
Encourage the Gifts of Others
Mobilize Potential Leaders
The Difference“The differences between successful leaders and unsuccessful ones all relate to controllable behaviors, not to predetermined traits” (p. 17).
How important is Prayer?
Percent that Saw PeopleBrought to
Christ in Past 9 Months:
83% vs.
19% Strong vs. Weak Prayer Life
A Praying Leader
Consistent Time with God
Prayer for Friends that Need God
More Time with God
Prayer for Members
Prayer for Small Group Meetings
Pray
Why Does Prayer Make Such a Difference?
People experience God’s presence in God-soaked groups
People sense that praying leaders care for them
People see the fruit of the Spirit in praying leaders
Praying leaders hear from God about their groups
How important is an Outward Focus?
Percent that Saw at Least One Person Brought to
Christ in the Past 6
Months:
90% vs. 11%
Strong vs. Weak Outreach
Reaching OutInvestment - Members Spend Time with Friends in Order to Share Christ
Invitation - Encourage Members to Invite Others
Intention - Outreach is a Stated Purpose of the Group
Intercession - Prayer in Meetings for Friends
Imitation - Leader who Models Relational Outreach
Reach
How Important are Caring Relationships?
Percent of Groups that
had Added 4 or
More Members
Since Starting:
44% vs. 18%
Strong vs. Weak Caring Relationships
Caring Group
Are like Family to One Another
Pray for One Another Through the Week
Support each Other in Times of Need
Have Fun Together
Spend Time with One another Between Meetings
Care
Will We Sacrifice Group Intimacy if We Reach Out?
According Egli and Marable’s (2011) research, “If you want to experience deeper community in your small group, you should make it an open group that actively reaches out to others” (p. 37).
Reach
How important is Empowering Leadership?
Percent of Groups that
had Multiplied or
Sent Out New Leaders:
62% vs. 27%
Strong vs. Weak Empowering
Empowering Others
Talk to members about their potential
Encourage members to take risks and try new things
Encourage others to get trained
Meet with leaders-in-training to plan
Constantly look for potential leaders
Empower
Empowering Others
Not sure where to start?
List the people in your group and write down one idea beside each name as to how you could help them develop as leaders
Empower
Ways to Multiply
Internal multiplication
Birthing
Small group planting
Shotgun approach
Launching
Empower
Conclusion
Assimilation
Conversion Growth
Pray CareReach
Multiplication
Empower
“Growing groups have leaders that are connected to God and empowering others.
Their members are giving themselves to one another and to those who don’t yet know
Jesus” (p. 79).