1. Small Group Evangelism Produced by: Battle Cry Ministry
p.10 – Go one Million Magazine
Small Group
Evangelism
Produced by:
Battle Cry Ministry

2. God’s Plan for the Church
The Nation of Israel
During the Exodus Jethro advised Moses to organize the people in small groups … “and place them to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens”.
(Exodus 18:21)

3. The Early Church
In the first advent of Christ, Jesus organized a small group: “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power …” (Matthew 10:1)

4. The early church experienced the power of the small groups – “and daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ”. (Acts 5:42)

5. The Remnant Church
The small groups were established by God to have an important role in the lives of his people through the ages. The remnant church began in small groups and it will fulfill its mission in the same way it began: In small groups!

6. The Spirit of Prophecy
“Time is short, and our forces must be organized to do a large work”.
CS p.92
“The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err”. CS p.72

7. The Spirit of Prophecy
“Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest”.

8. The Spirit of Prophecy
When Ellen White describes God’s people she says that they are waiting for the return of Christ in small groups. The small groups, used by God, probably will do more than any other thing to prepare us for that experience and will keep us united until God’s day.

9. May God help us to see the small group the same way He sees them
May God help us to see the small group the same way He sees them. NOW is the time to experience such a divine plan.

10. Small Groups: They are now much simpler
Why should we organize small groups within our church?
1. It is God’s will:
“In our churches let companies be formed for service.” CS 72
2. It is a Biblical principle
(a) Moses organized the people into groups (Exodus 18:17 – 25)

11. (b) Jesus formed a small group with his disciples
(Mark 3:13-15)
( c ) The early church began as a small group
(Acts 2:42-47; 5:42)

12. 3. It is God’s plan for His people in the end of time.

13. It is for large churches:
“If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers.” SC 72

14. It is for small churches:
“If in one place there are only two or three who know the truth, let them form themselves into a band of workers.” CS 72

15. What are the objectives in the forming of small groups?
“To work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers also.” Ev., 115
There are two main objectives of small groups:
1. Spiritual growth: Prayer and Bible Study
2. Evangelism: Building relationships and friendships, in order to gain souls for Christ.

16. What are “small groups”?
1. They are weekly meetings of 3-12 people who seek spiritual growth and are interested in evangelism.

17. 2. Meetings last approximately one hour.

18. 3. Group membership can be based on geographical proximity, or personal affiliations with other members.

19. 4. Meetings can be conducted in houses or meeting halls.

20. 5. Each group has a leader, an associate and a meeting host.

21. 6. The members decide the day, time and place of the meetings.

22. 7. Each group pledges to meet regularly for at least six months.

23. 8. After six months the group may recommit to another time period.

24. 9. Groups establish growth goals, with the hope of creating new groups.

25. Why small groups? (What are the advantages of having small groups in the church?)
1.Promotes growth in the relationship with God.
2.Increases the study and understanding of the Bible.
3.Develops mutual friendship and cooperation between members.
4.Attends to the needs of individuals.

26. Why small groups? (cont’d.)
5.It empowers members to work better in the Ministry.
6.It quickly identifies the various spiritual gifts and talents of members.
7.Aids the pastor in his task of ministering to his church.

27. Why small groups?
8.Reduces apostasy and increases retention of members..
9.Contributes to the recruiting of new disciples.
10.Mobilizes more church members into actively working for the conversion of others.

28. What is the small group program like?
The time frame given for each stage of the program is flexible:
Area / Item: Time:
Welcome and praise mins.
Socialization mins.
- presentation of visitors
- informal conversation

29. The Program (cont’d.)
The time frame given for each stage of the program is flexible:
Area / Item: Time:
Testimony mins.
- evangelistic plans for the group
- spiritual & missionary testimonies relating to the the work being performed
- evaluation of activities

30. The Program (cont’d.) Area / Item: Time: Prayer - 10 mins.
- acknowledgements and requests
- intercessory prayer
Bible Study mins.
-participation of all (B.S. courses, etc.)
-life application of what was studied /
members live & implement what is studied
Closing Prayer

31. How to establish small groups:
1. Pray at every step of the establishing of the groups.
2. Do not impose the plan. Participation must be voluntary.
3. Help the church leadership understand the plan.
4. Provide everyone with good materials that are relevant.
5. Establish groups incrementally / not all at once.
6. The plan should be flexible / adapted to each church & region.

32. How to establish small groups:
7. Leaders must be well trained before the establishing of the groups.
8. Provide materials.
9. To transform units of action into small groups has not been very successful.
10. It is better to transform a small group into a unit of action.
11. The study of the Bible must be the central concern of the small group.
12. Bible studies for all interested persons must take part in their own homes.

33. How to establish small groups:
13. During evangelistic campaigns –if there are special weeks of emphasis – the small group should implement the program of evangelism during that week.
14. Wherever there are children someone should be asked to provide the program for them.

34. Necessary steps for implementation:
1. Preparation:
The Pastor
Study Bible & S.O.P., etc.
Be convinced that SG are fundamental to spiritual growth & evangelism
Present plan to elders & get their support
(Choose) a general Coordinator
(Choose) all future leaders (of SG)
Be assured of success (“We should never think of failure. We must cooperate with one who knows no failure.” CS 323)

35. Necessary steps for implementation:
1. Preparation:
The Pastor
Up to the Pastor – use a retreat, a week, an entire weekend
Provide information to all group members regarding the responsibilities they are expected to bear
Coordinate with the leaders the date and time for the weekly meeting dealing with training, inspiration and evaluation (once the groups are actively working)

36. Necessary steps for implementation:
1. Preparation:
The Church
Church Board study & outline details of the plan and chooses a general coordinator and leaders for each small group
The church should pursue a revival – a week, a weekend, etc. .. Spiritual preparation
Present the small groups plan to the church on a Sabbath morning.

37. Necessary steps for implementation:
1. Preparation:
The Church (cont’d.)
Invite church members that are interested to sign up for a group
On Sabbath afternoons the leaders of S/G should be called to distribute materials and give everyone last minute directions.

38. Necessary steps for implementation:
2. Organization:
a.Prepare a list with the names of all those who signed up for the group, so that the leaders may invite these members to form a group led by him / her.
b.Groups should organize themselves according to their different affiliations, or because of geographical considerations.
c.No one should be forced into membership. All should be free to choose which group they want to join.

39. Necessary steps for implementation:
2. Organization:
d.Families should belong to the same group, unless the youth want to create a special group, only for themselves.
e.The church secretary must make a church roster list available to the leaders so that they might work to invite every member on the list to participate in small groups.
f.Another list of ex-members should be prepared so that the small groups can work to rescue these members.

40. Necessary steps for implementation:
2. Organization:
g.Together with the general coordinator, the leader must choose the host that provides his or her house for the meetings.
h.Each leader works together with each member to set a mutually convenient day and time for the first meeting.

41. Necessary steps for implementation:
3.Execution:
Initiate the meetings.
Each member should sign an agreement of participation.
The agreement can be written or unwritten.
Each group can choose a name, a hymn, a Bible text and a banner.
There should be a period of training for the members (suggested duration: 4-8 weeks)

42. Necessary steps for implementation:
3.Execution:
It is only after this (training) period that the group should invite new prospects.
Those to be invited into the small group:
Parents
Neighbours
Friends
Interested persons (found so, through church attendance, various programs and church institutions).

43. Necessary steps for implementation:
3.Execution:
An important motivation for prospecting new members for the groups is maintaining an empty chair during every meeting, and praying and urging every member to bring a guest.
There should be an agenda for intercessory prayer, where the names and prayer requests of interested parties are recorded.

44. Necessary steps for implementation:
3.Execution:
Growth should be the goal of all small groups. When this occurs then the group should split into two small groups.
Each group should have its own missionary goals:
Interested parties
Bible studies
Visitation of members, interested prospects and shut-ins
Baptisms
(How do we secure baptisms?)

45. Soul Winning Jesus’ Way (by Mark Finley)
Follow these principles:
Pursue a spiritual revival (church, individual)
Be equipped (education, study, training)
Pursue committed service (for prospects)
Have a reaping campaign (baptisms result)
Ensure nurture and follow-up (soul-keeping)

46. Activities for first small group meetings:
Reception
Worship and Praise
Socialization and presentation of visitors
Define the date, time and place of meetings
Provide all necessary instructions to the group
Sign the personal commitment cards (see card)

47. My Commitment I will arrive on time at the meetings
If I can’t attend I will let someone know
I will help the group have a positive experience
I will participate in evangelism
I will help the group to grow and form another group
Our meeting day shall be ______________
Hours will be from _______ to _______
The period of group meetings will last for _____ months
Name:__________________________________

48. Activities for first small group meetings (cont’d.):
Provide names and addresses of church members that should be visited or invited.
Bible Study.
Closing Prayer.

49. Weekly Meeting of Leaders1.
The life and longevity of a small group depends on the inspiration and instruction given to the leaders during their weekly or quarterly meeting, directed by the Pastor or by the General Coordinator.

50. Weekly Meeting of Leaders2.
These meetings are for the purpose of orientation, training, evaluation and inspiration.

51. Weekly Meeting of Leaders3.
In the monthly missionary Sabbath some of the small groups may present a brief report of their activities, or give a specific testimony with respect to their group.

52. Weekly Meeting of Leaders4.
Each Sabbath the church should be motivated to invite those that have not yet participated to integrate themselves into a small group.

53. Duties of the Small Groups Leaders
1. General Coordinator
Support the work of the small groups
Provide materials to all leaders
Assist in the organization of leadership meetings
In the absence of the pastor the GC is to lead the weekly leadership meetings

54. Duties of the Small Groups Leaders
1. General Coordinator (cont’d.)
Work in harmony with the pastor, the elder or the missionary director
Promote general meetings for testimonies, motivational and social purposes
Lead in pursuing the mission of the small groups

55. Duties of the Small Groups Leaders
Conduct the weekly group meeting
Assist the group in evangelistic work
Visit the absent and provide any needed help
Pray daily on behalf of the small group
Keep in touch with the associate leader and the host
Attend the weekly (or quarterly) meeting of leaders

56. Duties of the Small Groups Leaders
3. Associate Leader
Support the leader with prayer
Conduct the meetings when the leader is absent
Invite new members to the small group
Help in visiting the absent
Assist in the meeting of leaders
Provide a list with the names and addresses of members
Fill out reports

57. Duties of the Small Groups Leaders
4. Host
Provide his / her house for meeting
Provide adequate room for all members
Welcome and greet all members and visitors when they arrive
Assist the leader or associate leader whenever they need (your) help

58. General Meetings or Small Group Festivals
1. What are they?
They are meetings designed to inspire, motivate, praise, give testimony, and baptize.
2. When do they occur?
Every quarter, on Sabbaths, or when the church deems them appropriate.

59. General Meetings or Small Group Festivals
3. Who Participates?
All church members. Small groups can make short presentations to the church dealing with their progress and their continuing work.
4. Who leads the group?
The Pastor and the General Coordinator lead the group with the support and assistance of the church’s small group commission.