LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. BOB BAYLES IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE DSMN 630

LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

BY SHELTON MARKHAM

ROME, GEORGIA MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2013

Contents

5 M's and 5 G's of Small Group Ministry

Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson make the case for small group ministry in the book Building a Church of Small Groups. Part 1 is broken into three sections 1) In the Beginning, God: The Theological Evidence, 2) Created for Community: The Sociological Evidence, and 3) What the Church Needs to Grow: The Organizational Evidence.1 Donahue and Robinson summarize their case for small groups by stating that We began with the theological reality that God's communal nature, Three persons in One, requires you to respond by building community for yourself and for your church. We explained your God-created sociological need for relationship, a need best met through small group life. Finally, we argued that unless your church organizes itself to meet each person's need for relationship and provides a way for each person's need for relationship and provides a way for each person to take part, you will never come close to God's plan for community.2 Part 1 of this book does a great job of explaining why we must do small groups. We can look at an earlier work by Donahue to get a better idea of how to actually do small groups. In Leading Life-Changing Small Groups Donahue gives us the 5 M's and 5 G's of small group ministry. The 5 M's consist of 1) Mandate: Spiritual transformation, 2) Method: Small group community, 3) Mobilize: Strategic leaders, 4) Multiply: Span of care, and 5) Means: Seek and Celebrate.3 Donahue describes the 5 G's as Grace (to personally appropriate and extend the saving work of Christ), Growth (pursuing Christlikeness), Group (connecting with others in significant relationships), Gifts (serving Christ's body according to spiritual giftedness and passion), and Good stewardship (honoring God with our resources through what we give to the

1 Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson. Building a Church of Small Groups. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012). p. 5 2 Ibid, p. 52 3 Bill Donahue. Leading Life-Changing Small Groups. (Zondervan, 2002). p. 1-5 (accessed 6-3-13)

church and what we keep).4 Donahue gives ample Scripture verses to support his Biblical approach to small group ministries. What does G.R.O.U.P stand for and why is each important? The Pocket Guide to Leading a Small Group describes the acronym G.R.O.U.P. As 1) Guided by a leader, 2) Regular meeting time, 3) Open God's Word, 4) United in love, and 5) Prayer for one another.5 Each area in the acronym is important to small group ministry. It is important that a small group be guided by a leader. The text points out that In order for a group to be successful, the leader of the group needs to view their role as drawing out the new creation that God has in mind for every individual in the group.6 The text puts it even more simply by stating if you don't have a leader it ain't going to happen.7 It is also important to have regular meeting times. The text points out that Meeting weekly is the bare minimum to provide the right environment for growth and development.8 Regular meeting times are important to avoid spiritual warfare and to strengthen each other. The text gives the example that if you are only meeting monthly someone could miss one meeting and not see the group for two entire months.9 Opening God's word is also very important. In my mind a small group without God's word is no small group at all and closer to a party. The text states that Studying and applying the
4 Ibid 5 Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey. (TOUCH, 2007). p. 29-32. 6 Ibid. p. 30 7 Ibid. p. 29 8 Ibid. p. 30 9Ibid

Word of God has the power to change us from what we are into what God has in mind for us.10 There is no substitute for God's Word. Being united in love is also important. The text points out that Jesus gave the New Commandment in John 13:34-35 which states Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.11 We should put others first and serve each other sacrificially because it shows we are truly followers of Christ. Prayer for one another is also important. The text points out that In addition to studying and applying the Word, praying for and with one another is what separates a Christ-centered small group from a civic club.12 When we pray we are following the example of Christ and showing our faith and trust in God. What is an open group and why is it important to outreach? Open groups allow those that are not saved to be a part of the group. The text describes open groups as not just for those that are saved and that effective, growing groups are here to reach out to the people who are not yet here.13 The text goes on to point out that Open groups help maintain a focus on the priority of winning people to Christ now.14 The teachings of Jesus make it clear that evangelism and outreach are at heart of true discipleship and true fellowship. Open groups follow the model set by Christ.

10Ibid 11 Ibid. p. 31 12 Ibid. p. 32 13 Ibid. p. 68 14 Ibid

In which type of group are you or which type do you want to start? I am a part of an open group. I feel that open groups line up more favorably with Scripture and the example of Jesus. I believe that closed groups can send the wrong message in some ways. Strong leaders can help open groups stay focused on the vision of bringing others to Christ. I believe that when others here the Word of God and they are around true follower of Christ that it is life changing. If I did not believe this I would not be a follower of Christ. In my opinion open groups show a faith and trust in God to change others.

Bibliography
Donahue, Bill and Russ Robinson. Building a Church of Small Groups. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001 Donahue, Bill. Leading Life-Changing Small Groups. Zondervan, 2002 Earley, Dave and Rod Dempsey. The Pocket Guide to Leading a Small Group: 52 ways to help you and your small group grow. Houston: TOUCH Pulblications, Inc, 2007.