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Presented byRev. Dr. Richard

M.GadzekpoPastor:

Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Zion Church 3664 Grade Road,

Rockford, Tennessee 37853

INTRODUCTION: THE LAST COMMANDMENT

Matthew 28:19 & 2019Go to the people of all nations and make

them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 20and teach them to do everything I have

told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world.

INTRODUCTION: SMALL GROUPS

One of the most effective ways of making disciples is through holistic small groups; Providing personal support and reassurance to individuals — especially in settings where people can speak openly and honestly without fear of rejection.

BIBLICAL EXAMPLE

• Jesus started his ministry of making disciples of all nations through small group (Mark 3:13-14)

• The Disciples of Jesus also fulfilled the mandate of making disciples of all nations through small group (Acts 2:46, Acts 8:3,Romans 16:3-5)

HISTORICAL EXAMPLE

In 1742, John Wesley started the Class Leaders System, where every member of the church is placed into a class over which is appointed a class leader whose responsibility is to provide sub pastoral oversight. It became part of the constitution of the church in 1744 when the rules for the United Societies were drawn up.

HISTORICAL EXAMPLE

The A.M.E. Zion Church since its inception in 1796 has preserved the Class Leaders System. The Book of Discipline of the A.M.E. Zion Church stipulates that the design of organizing members into classes and holding of class meeting is … to establish and keep up meetings for …instruction…encouragement…admonition…that shall be a profitable means of grace.

TWO MODELS OF SMALL GROUP DISCIPLESHIP

• Cognitive Model – Evangelist Small Group Fellowship

• Behavioral Model – Class Meeting

THE EVANGELISTIC SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP

A cognitive model of ministry that places emphasis upon

helping the non-churched to become Christians and members of the Church

HOW IS SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP EVANGELISTIC?

Three Necessary Components - AID:

1.Attraction: Straightforward invitation

2.Inclusion: Helping them to belong

3.Discipleship: Helping individuals grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ

TWO PARTS OF SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP

1. Time for Sharing Evangelistic Concerns• List of the un-churched• Forming group’s evangelistic concerns• Pray for names listed• Look for ways and invite prospects• Discuss ways and means with group

2.Time for Witnessing

WHAT IS WITNESSING?

Witnessing is telling people

in your own words, your own way

what you know about Jesus Christ

from your own life!

HOW TO BEGIN SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP

• Recruit a leader• Leader gathers a core of two or three who

are definitely interested• Core group and leader invites another

eight to ten people • Decide time, frequency and meeting place• Have first meeting• Divide after eight or ten sessions and

start another group

DEVELOPING A BIBLE STUDY FOR YOUR SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP• Gathering and Call to Worship• Prayer and Singing• Introduction of Guest• Study Time• Singing/Soloist/Silence• Witness Time• Sharing of needs and concerns• Praying Time

DEVELOPING A BIBLE STUDY FOR YOUR SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP• Evangelistic Concerns• Closing Selection• Closing Prayer and Benediction• Fellowship

ISSUES TO CONSIDER• How often to meet• Where to meet• Refreshments• Child care• What to study

THE CLASS MEETING

A behavioral mode of ministry that places emphasis upon

practicing the truths that we learn from sermons, bible

studies, etc.

DISCIPLESHIPDiscipleship is about:• Growing in our relationship with Christ• Sharing our lives and concerns with others in the group• Caring for each other in the group

DISCIPLESHIP CAN BE EVERYTHING WE DO AS CHRISTIAN

PEOPLE

THE CLASS MEETING

Three important features of class meeting include:1.Getting Acquainted – Connecting

as a group2.Reviewing the nature of the group

– if nature of meeting is not made clear it creates difficulty in keeping the meeting on task

3.Securing the members commitment to the ground rules of the group.

GROUND RULES

These commitments should be secured at the first meeting and be reviewed from time to time:• Priority – members to make every

effort to attend• Prayer – members to pray regularly

for the group• Confidentiality – Not divulge

personal concerns to those outside the group even after the group ends.

GROUND RULES

Punctuality – members begins and ends on time

Personal devotion time – members to engage in bible study and prayer between group meetings

No advice giving unless counsel is requested – pray for and encourage those who share needs but refrain from giving advice unless requested

GROUND RULES

No argument – members agree to disagree agreeablyPersonal needs – Confess personal needs and not those of others in the groupAffirmation and vulnerability – members seek to provide an atmosphere of affirmation understanding that those who are ridiculed may never share again

COMPONENTS OF A CLASS MEETING

1. Gathering – Brief period of fellowship

2. Sharing – Sharing life with each other

3. Praying – Praying for one another

4. Sending – Sent by the Holy Spirit and by group to work and witness.

SHARING

To give structure and help in meaningful sharing, the following is recommended:• How am I coming along in my prayer life?• How am I progressing in my personal study of God’s word?• Are there areas of struggle or specific needs which I desire the prayers of the class?

SHARING

To give structure and help in meaningful sharing, the following is recommended:• Are there areas of victory or

blessings through which I see God at work?

• What progress am I making in learning to share my faith with others?

• In what ways have I been able to meet a need in the lives of others.

HOW TO BEGIN SMALL GROUP FELLOWSHIP1.Leader invites members to

first meeting

2.Decide with members about time and meeting place

3.Have first meeting

GUIDELINES FOR HOLDING MEETINGS• Trust God• Pray• Remind the group regularly of its

ministry vision• Facilitate and guide discussion• Watch the time• Keep conversation on the subject• Be personally vulnerable• Encourage listening• Guide the long-winded speaker

GUIDELINES FOR HOLDING MEETINGS• Encourage the quite, shy person• Be sensitive to the emotional hurt• Involve everyone in the group• Help members learn to pray aloud• Follow up on an absent or

distressed members• Establish and maintain the group

commitments• Develop new leadership• Practice the “double focus” of

ministry, focus on both individual and group as a whole.

REFERENCE

Behavioral Model -For the PERFECTING of the SaintsA Handbook on Holistic Small Group Discipleship

Copyright ©2013

By Dr. Darryl Brewster Starnes, Sr. (96th Bishop in Succession of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion

Church)