This is the continuation of a series of articles on adding Small Groups to our basic system of Bible Study (Sunday School) at First Baptist Church of Bolivar. Know that this process is developing in conjunction with the changes brought about by the Long Range Plan. Please continue to pray for both processes.
Question: It sounds like we have settled on one style of Small Groups to compliment our current Sunday School, but I know a church that does small groups using another method of small groups. Was that method considered?
That is a great question. There are seven prevailing systems for organizing small groups in a church:
1) Organic Community Groups
2) Preference of two or more group types
3) Closed Small Groups
4) Open Small Groups
5) Free Market System
6) Making Extraordinary Disciples
7) Cell Groups/Holistic Small Groups.
Many of these small group systems are being used in our church, each with strengths and weaknesses. Were you aware that even the socioeconomic make up of our church can influence which type of small group we would prefer?
We will continue to have different types of small groups operating as a part of our church. A conscious decision was made to use open small groups in conjunction with our current base Bible study (Sunday School). These two systems of small groups share some very important characteristics which make them compatible with our base system of making disciples.
Open means a person is welcomed into the group (Sunday School or Small Group). Open means a person is encouraged to bring a friend to the group and the group will accept them. Being open results in disciples of Christ.
Healthy Sunday School and Open Small Groups understand the important role of relationships and the group dynamics of connect, grow, serve and share. Both use the development of relationships as a platform for personal growth and discipleship.
Healthy Sunday School and Open Small Groups place an emphasis on Biblical exploration and discovery. Both systems share the need to continually produce leadership that can fuel the discipleship process.
The articles regarding Small Groups are available on Larry’s blog: fbclarry.wordpress.com. Comments and questions are appreciated.
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