1 small group evangelism p.10 – go one million magazine produced by: battle cry ministry produced...

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Small GroupSmall Group

EvangelismEvangelism

p.10 – Go one Million Magazine

p.10 – Go one Million Magazine

Produced by:

Battle Cry Ministry

Produced by:

Battle Cry Ministry

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God’s Plan for the ChurchGod’s Plan for the Church

• The Nation of Israel

• During the Exodus Jethro advised During the Exodus Jethro advised Moses to organize the people in Moses to organize the people in small groups … “and place them to small groups … “and place them to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers of tens”.of tens”.

• (Exodus 18:21)

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The Early ChurchThe Early Church

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

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

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The Remnant ChurchThe Remnant Church

• The small groups were The small groups were established by God to have an established by God to have an

important role in the lives of his important role in the lives of his people through the ages. The people through the ages. The

remnant church began in small remnant church began in small groups and it will fulfill its groups and it will fulfill its

mission in the same way it began: mission in the same way it began: In small groups!In small groups!

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The Spirit of ProphecyThe Spirit of Prophecy

• ““Time is short, and our forces must be Time is short, and our forces must be organized to do a large work”. organized to do a large work”.

• CS p.92CS p.92

• ““The formation of small companies as a The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err”. presented to me by One who cannot err”. CS p.72 CS p.72

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

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


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• 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.

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Small Groups: They are now Small Groups: They are now much simplermuch simpler

• Why should we organize small groups Why should we organize small groups within our church?within our church?

• 1. It is God’s will:1. It is God’s will:

• ““In our churches let companies be In our churches let companies be formed for service.” CS 72formed for service.” CS 72

• 2. It is a Biblical principle 2. It is a Biblical principle

• (a) Moses organized the people into (a) Moses organized the people into groups (Exodus 18:17 – 25)groups (Exodus 18:17 – 25)

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• (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)

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

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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

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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

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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.

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What are “small groups”?What are “small groups”?

• 1. They are 1. They are weekly meetings weekly meetings of 3-12 people of 3-12 people who seek who seek spiritual growth spiritual growth and are and are interested in interested in evangelism.evangelism.

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• 2. Meetings last approximately one hour.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Why small groups?Why small groups?(What are the advantages of having small groups in the church?)(What are the advantages of having small groups in the church?)

1.Promotes growth in the 1.Promotes growth in the relationship with God.relationship with God.

2.Increases the study and 2.Increases the study and understanding of the Bible.understanding of the Bible.

3.Develops mutual friendship and 3.Develops mutual friendship and cooperation between members.cooperation between members.

4.Attends to the needs of individuals.4.Attends to the needs of individuals.

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Why small groups? (cont’d.)Why small groups? (cont’d.)

5.It empowers members to work 5.It empowers members to work better in the Ministry.better in the Ministry.

6.It quickly identifies the various 6.It quickly identifies the various spiritual gifts and talents of spiritual gifts and talents of members.members.

7.Aids the pastor in his task of 7.Aids the pastor in his task of ministering to his church.ministering to his church.

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Why small groups?

8.Reduces apostasy and increases 8.Reduces apostasy and increases retention of members..retention of members..

9.Contributes to the recruiting of new 9.Contributes to the recruiting of new disciples.disciples.

10.Mobilizes more church members 10.Mobilizes more church members into actively working for the into actively working for the conversion of others.conversion of others.

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What is the small group What is the small group program like?program like?

• The time frame given for each stage of the program is flexible:

• Area / Item: Time:Welcome and praise - 10 mins.Socialization - 10 mins.

- presentation of visitors

- informal conversation

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The Program (cont’d.)

• The time frame given for each stage of the program is flexible:

• Area / Item: Time:Testimony - 15 mins.

• - evangelistic plans for the group

• - spiritual & missionary testimonies relating to the the work being performed

• - evaluation of activities

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The Program (cont’d.)

• Area / Item: Time:Prayer - 10 mins.

• - acknowledgements and requests

• - intercessory prayerBible Study 35 mins.

• -participation of all (B.S. courses, etc.)

• -life application of what was studied /

• members live & implement what is studied Closing Prayer

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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.

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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 10. It is better to transform a to transform a small group small group into a unit of into a unit of action.action.

11. The study of the Bible must be the central concern of the small group.

12. Bible studies 12. Bible studies for all interested for all interested persons must persons must take part in their take part in their own homes.own homes.

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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.

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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)

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• 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)

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.


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• 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.


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• 2. Organization:2. Organization:

• g.Together with the general g.Together with the general coordinator, the leader must choose coordinator, the leader must choose the host that provides his or her house the host that provides his or her house for the meetings.for the meetings.

• h.Each leader works together with h.Each leader works together with each member to set a mutually each member to set a mutually convenient day and time for the first convenient day and time for the first meeting.meeting.

Necessary steps for implementation:Necessary steps for implementation:

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• 3.Execution:Initiate the meetings.Initiate the meetings.Each member should sign an agreement of Each member should sign an agreement of

participation.participation.The agreement can be written or unwritten.The agreement can be written or unwritten.Each group can choose a name, a hymn, a Each group can choose a name, a hymn, a

Bible text and a banner.Bible text and a banner.There should be a period of training for the There should be a period of training for the

members (suggested duration: 4-8 weeks)members (suggested duration: 4-8 weeks)


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• 3.Execution:It is only after this (training) period that the It is only after this (training) period that the

group should invite new prospects.group should invite new prospects.Those to be invited into the small group:Those to be invited into the small group:

• ParentsParents• NeighboursNeighbours• FriendsFriends• Interested persons (found so, through Interested persons (found so, through

church attendance, various programs and church attendance, various programs and church institutions).church institutions).


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• 3.Execution:3.Execution:An important motivation for prospecting An important motivation for prospecting

new members for the groups is maintaining new members for the groups is maintaining an empty chair during every meeting, and an empty chair during every meeting, and praying and urging every member to bring a praying and urging every member to bring a guest.guest.

There should be an agenda for intercessory There should be an agenda for intercessory prayer, where the names and prayer prayer, where the names and prayer requests of interested parties are recorded. requests of interested parties are recorded.

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• 3.Execution:3.Execution:Growth should be the goal of all small groups. Growth should be the goal of all small groups.

When this occurs then the group should split into When this occurs then the group should split into two small groups. two small groups.

Each group should have its own missionary goals:Each group should have its own missionary goals:

Interested partiesInterested partiesBible studiesBible studiesVisitation of members, interested prospects Visitation of members, interested prospects

and shut-insand shut-insBaptismsBaptisms(How do we secure baptisms?)(How do we secure baptisms?)

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Soul Winning Jesus’ WaySoul Winning Jesus’ Way(by Mark Finley)(by Mark Finley)

• Follow these principles:

Pursue a spiritual revival (church, individual)Pursue a spiritual revival (church, individual)

Be equipped (education, study, training)Be equipped (education, study, training)

Pursue committed service (for prospects)Pursue committed service (for prospects)

Have a reaping campaign (baptisms result)Have a reaping campaign (baptisms result)

Ensure nurture and follow-up (soul-keeping)Ensure nurture and follow-up (soul-keeping)

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Activities for first small group meetings:

ReceptionWorship and PraiseSocialization and presentation of visitorsDefine the date, time and place of meetingsProvide all necessary instructions to the groupSign the personal commitment cards (see card)

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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:__________________________________

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Activities for first small group meetings (cont’d.):

• Provide names and addresses of church Provide names and addresses of church members that should be visited or members that should be visited or invited.invited.

• Bible Study.Bible Study.

• Closing Prayer.Closing Prayer.

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Weekly Meeting of Leaders• 1. 1.

• The life and longevity of a small group The life and longevity of a small group

depends on the inspiration and instruction depends on the inspiration and instruction

given to the leaders during their weekly or given to the leaders during their weekly or

quarterly meeting, directed by the Pastor or quarterly meeting, directed by the Pastor or

by the General Coordinator. by the General Coordinator.

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Weekly Meeting of Leaders

• 2. 2.

• These meetings are for the These meetings are for the

purpose of orientation, purpose of orientation,

training, evaluation and training, evaluation and

inspiration.inspiration.

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• 3. 3.

• In the monthly missionary In the monthly missionary

Sabbath some of the small Sabbath some of the small

groups may present a brief groups may present a brief

report of their activities, or give report of their activities, or give

a specific testimony with a specific testimony with

respect to their group.respect to their group.

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• 4. 4.

• Each Sabbath the church should be Each Sabbath the church should be

motivated to invite those that have motivated to invite those that have

not yet participated to integrate not yet participated to integrate

themselves into a small group.themselves into a small group.

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Duties of the Small Groups Leaders

• 1. General Coordinator

• Support the work of the small groupsSupport the work of the small groups

• Provide materials to all leadersProvide materials to all leaders

• Assist in the organization of leadership Assist in the organization of leadership meetingsmeetings

• In the absence of the pastor the GC is to In the absence of the pastor the GC is to lead the weekly leadership meetingslead the weekly leadership meetings

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• 1. General Coordinator (cont’d.)1. General Coordinator (cont’d.)Work in harmony with the pastor, the elder or Work in harmony with the pastor, the elder or

the missionary directorthe missionary director

Promote general meetings for testimonies, Promote general meetings for testimonies, motivational and social purposesmotivational and social purposes

Lead in pursuing the mission of the small Lead in pursuing the mission of the small groupsgroups

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• 2. Leader• Conduct the weekly group meetingConduct the weekly group meeting• Assist the group in evangelistic workAssist the group in evangelistic work• Visit the absent and provide any needed Visit the absent and provide any needed

helphelp• Pray daily on behalf of the small groupPray daily on behalf of the small group• Keep in touch with the associate leader Keep in touch with the associate leader

and the hostand the host• Attend the weekly (or quarterly) meeting Attend the weekly (or quarterly) meeting

of leadersof leaders

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Duties of the Small Groups LeadersDuties of the Small Groups Leaders

• 3. Associate LeaderSupport the leader with prayerSupport the leader with prayerConduct the meetings when the leader is Conduct the meetings when the leader is

absentabsentInvite new members to the small groupInvite new members to the small groupHelp in visiting the absentHelp in visiting the absentAssist in the meeting of leadersAssist in the meeting of leadersProvide a list with the names and Provide a list with the names and

addresses of membersaddresses of membersFill out reports Fill out reports

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Duties of the Small Groups LeadersDuties of the Small Groups Leaders

• 4. Host4. Host

Provide his / her house for meetingProvide his / her house for meetingProvide adequate room for all Provide adequate room for all

membersmembersWelcome and greet all members and Welcome and greet all members and

visitors when they arrivevisitors when they arriveAssist the leader or associate leader Assist the leader or associate leader

whenever they need (your) helpwhenever they need (your) help

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General Meetings or Small Group Festivals

• 1. What are they?1. What are they?• They are meetings designed to inspire, They are meetings designed to inspire,

motivate, praise, give testimony, and motivate, praise, give testimony, and baptize.baptize.

• 2. When do they occur?2. When do they occur?• Every quarter, on Sabbaths, or when Every quarter, on Sabbaths, or when

the church deems them appropriate. the church deems them appropriate.

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General Meetings or Small Group Festivals

• 3. Who Participates?• All church members. Small groups can All church members. Small groups can

make short presentations to the church make short presentations to the church dealing with their progress and their dealing with their progress and their continuing workcontinuing work.

• 4. Who leads the group?• The Pastor and the General Coordinator The Pastor and the General Coordinator

lead the group with the support and lead the group with the support and assistance of the church’s small group assistance of the church’s small group commission.commission.

1 small group evangelism p.10 – go one million magazine produced by: battle cry ministry produced...

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