launching new groups
Post on 23-Feb-2016
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Bruce RaleyDirector Church Education Ministry
LifeWay Christian Resources
Launching New Groups
People
Reached
For ChristPeople MaturedIn Christ
Commonalities…and Distinct Differences
Southern Baptists 2012Worship attendance 188,000 less than previous year
Group attendance 120,000 less than previous year
Baptisms lowest since 1948
Over 800 SBC churches die each year
One of four American churches is dying
FADS
Program-driven era (1950’s – 80’s)
What’s hot now era (1980’s – 2000’s)
Customized church era
If leaders desire:More people reached for ChristMore people matured in Christ
Start New Groups
Potential:
• Evangelism
“To separate Bible study from evangelism takes us away from the biblical model. Biblically, education and
evangelism are intricately related”
Potential:
• Evangelism• Maturing Disciples• More people engaged in ministry
• More resources for Kingdom work
“…We have come to realize not one of those (new)
groups started on its own. Not a single one. No group
just organically sprang up…a catalyst was necessary every
time”
Catalysts are essential…
Form a Circle Does the circle
look like this? “The natural
inertia of any group is to turn inward”
Is there another way to form a circle and still hold hands?
Every church has everybody they need right now to do the
work the Lord wants that church to do right
now
Group leaders are essential…
“The success of a Sunday School leader is not
measured by how large the class grows, but by how many leaders are
sent out”
Start with the right DNA…
Disciple-making at the coreNetwork of people on missionAccountable for sending leaders and starting new groups
There is Hope!Life cycles of churches
Anytime, anywhere
Where to Start
26 ways to start new groups
Realities
The Word of God is the focal point of life transformational groups
What is discipleship?1.Discipleship is not information.
2.Discipleship is not behavior modification.
3.Discipleship is transformation.
Realities
Catalysts are essential for the creation of new groupsNew groups are created proactively
Realities
Organization attendance will increase approximately 10 for every new adult groups properly started.
New groups are offensive!
HOPE!
A challenge…Every church begins at least one new group each year … one group for every hundred people in attendance.
Watch For The Breaks in the Sandbar
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