1	SMALL GROUP LEADERS TRAINING Why are small groups important? In our society In the church Why are small groups important to you? Why are small groups important to our church? What is your vision for small groups?
2	SMALL GROUP COMPARISON URBAN TRIBES Intense loyalty Shared routines/rituals Defined roles Sense of “barn raising” CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY Centered in Jesus Christ Bible study and prayer Commitment to community Missional focus
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4	BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR SMALL GROUPS Created for community Rebelled from community Restored to community Recreated in community Reconciled into community
5	BIBLICAL MODEL FOR SMALL GROUP ACTS 2:42-46 Devoted themselves to Apostles’ teaching fellowship breaking of bread prayer Believers together; everything in common Praising God Enjoyed the favor of all the people
6	VISION FOR SMALL GROUPS Our small groups be an ongoing multi year community not just a weekly meeting. Our small groups are a place to love and be loved where men and women can develop close friendships. Our small groups are a place where people challenge each other to grow and forgive each other when they fail. Our small groups are characterized as a place where new people are welcomed.
7	SMALL GROUP VISION (CON’T) Our small groups are known as a place where prayer is of central importance Our small groups are known as a place where God’s scripture guides the life of its members Our small groups are known as a missional community that lives the gospel out in word (evangelism) and deed (service)
8	COMPONENTS OF A SMALL GROUP
9	CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY “Historical and sociological studies have shown repeatedly that churches with high belonging expectations are more vital, grow faster, have more counter-cultural impact and last longer than those that relax the intensity of their community life.” Howard Snyder, Christianity Today, October 2003
10	HOW DO WE DEVELOP COMMUNITY? Establish a welcoming environment for new people Create multiple spaces for people to belong Public Social Personal Intimate Guide people into more appropriate spaces to belong
11	GOAL for COMMUNAL BIBLE STUDY “Our goal for the bible study is that the participants encounter Jesus. This means that they not only learn the truth about Jesus as shown in the scripture, but they also experience the presence of Jesus in every element of their time gathered as a small group, from the hospitality of the leader, to the gentle and loving interaction with the other members, to how well they are listened to.” Lindsey Olesberg, InterVarsity’s National Bible Study Coordinator
12	BIBLE STUDY CHANGES IN EMERGING CULTURE MODERN detached observer discover truth individually right answers study a passage leader as teacher EMERGING avid participant encounter Jesus communally good questions enter the text leader as learner
13	EMERGING CULTURE COMMUNAL BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE Introduction (2 min) Enter the text (10 min) Develop questions (10min) Answer questions together (10 min) Summarize (3 min) Application (10 min)
14	OUTREACH (MISSIONAL) Evangelism Journey experience comes before explanation belonging comes before believing image becomes before word identification comes before influence Conversion Process friendship and prayer soul awakening community experience conversion transformation
15	SERVICE To learn ways you can serve both cross culturally and locally with CHBC, go to http://www.biblechurch.org/mission/participation.html
16	COMPONENTS OF A SMALL GROUP Community (15-30 minutes; all during week) Bible Study (45 minutes) Worship and Prayer (10 minutes) Outreach (5-10 minutes; all during week)
17	PHASES OF A SMALL GROUP Start up Shake up Live it up Wrap up
18	TRANSITIONING LEADERSHIP Modern Culture Individual Leader Task Positional Authority Perfect Leader Building Structures Control Destination Aspire for Leadership Emerging Culture Team Leadership Community Earned Authority “Broken” Leader Developing Vision Empower Journey Inspire to Leadership
19	GROUP COMMUNICATION Listen to others Build others up Speak truth in love Affirm people’s unique gifts Model honest, vulnerable communication Initiate reconciliation
20	GROUP CONFLICT Conviction Confrontation Clarification Confession Commitment