DSMN 630: Final Small Group Training Manual Assignment
THE FINAL Small Group Training Manual:
Conclusion Assignment
Joo Won Lee
DSMN 630: SMALL MINISTRY GROUP
October 16, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Motivations for Developing Groups----------------------------------------------------3
Goals and Dreams-------------------------------------------------------------------------5
Answers to What Type of Group I Will Develop-------------------------------------6
Specifically Address How I will lead Small Groups----------------------------------7
Detail How I Will Grow, Develop & Lead a Small Group Ministry----------------8
How to Grow Small Group Leaders-----------------------------------------------------9
How to Multiply Small Groups----------------------------------------------------------11
How to Develop/Transition to Small Groups in Your Church-----------------------13
Conclusion----------------------------------------------------------------------------------14
Bibliography--------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
Motivations for Developing Groups
The motivation for developing small groups is to simply follow the Great Commission tasked to us by Lord Jesus; as He told the gathered disciples and followers on descent to heaven, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV). As we recognize the grace and goodness of God who sent His only begotten son to die on the cross so that whosever believed in Him would not die but have eternal life (cf. John 3:16), then we have no choice but be grateful and overjoyed to evangelize onto the world; the first step in doing that is creating a small group or joining it.
Obviously, the most important reason in creating or joining a small group is to develop into a disciple oneself or train the disciples: developing disciples is critical in that discipleship/disciples is where people get converted to the (very) image of a suffering servant in mode of Jesus Christ that is ready to serve onto the world carrying out the Great Commission task to the fullest (Matt. 28). The discipleship does not come easily as in most cases it would take years of training, molding of a person into a minister, an evangelist, who is prepared to teach the Bible, preside over a worship service, carry out other important tasks needed to be a leader of a fully functional missionary team/group, e.g., baptizing a new convert in the name of Jesus.
Small group ministry is also essential in that in the intimacy of a small group of 2-10 individuals, it affords an opportunity where people can bond in much closer and personal ways than otherwise. That close and personal intimacy among the members and an opportunity where individuals can grow together building a mutually empowering interpersonal relationship in faith is nothing like, and the most precious thing to find. Jesus is obviously the ultimate leader and king here presiding over all involved individuals: however, the impact and influence (in very Christian-like and biblically based environment) can be so huge that had the small group ministry done the right way, it could really serve as a spark plug of a revolutionary change that could ensue. The most critical component of this whole process is having the charismatic, Christ-centered, capable, and knowledgeable strong leader, who can carry out his task in making the small group ministry stand out above the rest. The right leader, the right leadership is always in need, and in small group ministry the impact of such a leader/leadership can be even more magnified; the ripple effects of its presence/absence can be all-positive and work like a domino or the negative can set not only the small group but the whole congregation by extended period of time and depleted (hard to recover) resources, manpower and new church membership included.
The third most important aspect of the small ministry group in my opinion is that the small group setting is actually where the newbie or the novice evangelist could get his much-needed training done without many consequences to the rest of church groups or the members. We all need some type of training or preparation as we get our feet wet in preparation for whatever service God calls us unto. For some of us, it could be youth ministry, Sunday school, education/teaching related vocation, or a desk job at some mission-minded global NGO company/enterprise. Having a small group ministry experience under one’s belt then could pave the way for someone whose eyes are set on doing the large group ministry or ecclesiastical work on much bigger stage or platform. Therefore, the small group ministry exists to satisfy many different related fields in which one may eventually settle into holding down a permanent work.
The fourth primary reason for developing a small group ministry is to hone ministry skills: that is important to some. This is the arena where a small group leader or even an apprentice could grow, nurture oneself and develop a close-knit interpersonal relationship in faith with his group of people where he can regularly pray for them, teach them the Bible, and effectively provide a spiritual leadership under the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that they would all become a disciple of Christ, ready to take on the world as a champion for Christ fearing no one, and daring to go where no church or no group has gone before to make the gospel of Christ stick in these last days. As I conclude my thread I’d like to end it with the following verse: “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV).
Goals and Dreams for Small Groups Biblical Foundations for Groups
Earley and Dempsey reflect on the need and effectiveness of small groups modeled by Christ Himself. "Healthy small groups are the best place to develop Christ followers as evidenced by the fact that Jesus Himself used a small group to develop the first group of world changers."[1] To change a world later, we ought to go into our neighborhood, schools, and public places, and change our community first and foremost as Brad House writes, “In John 17, Jesus tells us that he is sending us into the world even though we are not of this world. We have been given to Jesus by the Father, and now we get to proclaim his goodness to the world. This concept is anchored in our purpose to image God, and I am therefore all for incarnational ministry.”[2] In fact, that mantra of “in the world, but not of the world” is crucial as we ought to not conform to the world but to bring the world to reconcile with God as we become the fishers of men (cf. Matthew 4:19).
Having a dream or goal so big as to challenge God to grant it to us is one of the first steps a small group should consider: as Earley and Dempsey write, “God wants to raise up an army of strong small group leaders who will grow and multiply groups in such a way as to shake this world. He wants to awaken the sleeping giants.”[3]
My goal from small groups is to eventually build a church with a minimum membership of several thousand that can be influential in our neighborhood, city, state, region, and ultimately in the world we live in so that we can fly high the banner of the Lordship of Christ Jesus.
Answer what type of Groups you will develop
I’d like to develop groups that are first on prayer and believe in the super-power of prayers including the prophesying, vision (As Daniel did), speaking in tongues, interpretation, and other powerful signs of the Holy Spirit immersion, which can be given through constant communication with God. Also, I’d like to build groups that are thoroughly if not competently knowledgeable in the word of God with the wisdom and discernment to know the signs of times as well (cf. Matthew 16:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:1-4). I’d like to build compassionate groups who would go out into the neighborhoods and evangelize onto their neighbors. But mostly I’d like to build groups who bear the fruits of the spirit and do not flinch about entering the narrow gates and walking down the aisles of narrow roads (cf. Matthew 7:13-14). Plus, I’d like to build groups that are confident of their salvation status and are acutely aware of the existence of hell and heaven, and all the consequences of sins, and are not afraid of repenting and being forgiven of their transgressions as they occur.
Specifically address how you will lead small groups
As Jeffrey Arnold writes, “Prayer. One of the most enduring pictures we have of Jesus Christ is that he was a man of prayer, continually on his knees before God.”[4] The most important thing to keep in mind is obviously to do what Jesus might have done, and number one thing we ought to do is prayer without ceasing and be thankful as narrated in 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 ESV, “Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Then, I/we ought to lead the small groups with the heart of a suffering servant which the Lord exhibited throughout His 3+ years of public ministry. Then, how does it entail to in details? The agape love: the biblical verse which comes to mind is from Matthew 9:36 ESV, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” If we go back just one verse back, there is an example which exactly shows how we should lead small groups as Jesus did, and the verse writes, “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.” That is the ultimate model we should base when leading our small groups or the large groups or the thousand strong of gathering at a Passion for Christ Crusade or not: first, lead by proclaiming the gospel, evangelize to them, teach them the word, and heal them of any kind of physical ailments as well on top of the physical destitution which ought to be done by the gift of salvation through the Son of God. That is the ideal.
Then Jeffrey Arnold also mentions the importance of logistics, stages, and empowering members: basically, there has to be a systematic, well-designed, -thought out, and -executed gradual plan where the small groups can grow incrementally and progress toward the next steps until fully becoming the suffering servant disciple who’d serve the groups, the church, region, and the world—eventually. It is a progress, process, and journey all within itself. As Arnold writes, Logistics. Christians who are familiar with the working of the Spirit will understand that the Holy Spirit can work in the most difficult of conditions. That doesn’t mean, however, that we should test God... Stages. Every relationship goes through stages, so it stands to reason that groups will go through them as well. Experts generally recognize four stages where groups are concerned: honeymoon, conflict, community and closure... Empowering members. A small group is not a lecture series. So, if you find yourself talking too much, then you are probably holding your group back.”[5]
Details on How to Grow, Develop & Lead a Small Group Ministry: Develop Small Group Leaders
In practicality, real life, the small group would need to grow both qualitatively and quantitatively as stated before as we lead them in truth and spirit:
Daily prayer for 30-minutes to 2-hours will be implemented; daily bible reading of the minimum of a chapter will be encouraged; I would constantly monitor the spirituality of my apprentice(s) and train them thoroughly in the word of God putting them through regular workshops and programs, and other category which pertaining the bible knowledge and related materials.
But once again, I’d like to build groups, community, church, and the leadership that will reflect the spirit of the Champions for Christ in department of the Prayer first and foremost, and uphold the authority of the Word of God, and bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is huge on worship, and evangelism. The details should be worked out, adjusted, and changed as we go along when we get there—at last.
However, mostly as their primary trainer (as a future senior pastor/the prime leader) and role model close by, I/we would have to demonstrate the true suffering servant leadership in our daily living consistently, and not betray their faith and trust in me/us; and in a word we utter and an action we make, hopefully they could see our Lord and the Holy Spirit working within and through us. Anything which we’d strive to do then would carry that much more conviction, authenticity, and weight so that the training and the future mission projects we would strive to do with them, God will help our cause and make them successful and multiply according to the Providence: Talking the talk and walking the walk--that is vital in this day and age in my opinion.
How to Grow Small Groups
There are stages of growth, maturity, and gradual steps to follow when growing and maturing small groups:
As Dr. Dempsey mentioned, “Formation, exploration, execution, preparation, multiplication, and distortion stages” are to be followed, observed, and expected in growing any small groups. Will there always be an (exponential, explosive or even gradual) growth to be expected in any given period? Of course not. As Dempsey and Earley warn us, “Unfortunately, there is one more stage of small group life that will happen to groups that do not grow and develop leaders within eighteen to twenty-four months. After this much time together, a group loses its momentum and the vision to multiply. If the group has been together for two years, it is in danger of dying and needs immediate attention to refocus the efforts toward growth and multiplication.”[6] Without a doubt, more than immediately palpable and observable or even readily presentable physical growth, the internal growth or the spiritual growth in the likeness of Christ is the main goal for any small groups during the training and growing process: As Dempsey and Earley write, “Spiritual growth is measured by walking in the Spirit and growing in maturity. Indicators like love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and faithfulness reveal to others that the nature of Christ is being transferred from the Spirit into our daily living. Other indicators of spiritual growth are evidenced by our willingness to serve others and to help them come to know Christ in a personal way. Yet another indicator of growth in spiritual maturity is discovering and using the spiritual gifts that God has entrusted to us.”[7]
Numerical growth is also very hard to achieve as the authors note, but the ultimate goal is to have a healthy small groups inside out, the members that are both quantitatively and qualitatively healthy and vibrant as the authors write, “The ultimate success for a small group leader is to simultaneously grow your group in quality and quantity while developing future leaders. This is no small task. It requires a combination of spirituality, friendliness and leadership.”[8] However, the leadership should always be cognizant of the fact that the greatest asset in small groups or in heaven is the people, the individual members themselves as the Lord felt the pang of “splagchnizomai” (σπλαγχνίζομαι) (cf. Matt. 9:36; Luke 7:13) in regards to the compassion He felt towards them, and should always treat them as such—with constant care, love, and endless compassion with boundless kindness and patience.
How to Multiply Small Groups
Joel Comiskey goes back to the early church when the early church was basically comprised of the “Oikos” churches—physically speaking regarding the motor and brick structure- that is house churches and explains the “multiplication model” which we ought to employ even in contemporary settings and environment. It makes a sense; 2,000 years ago, they did not have a mega church (no televangelists) nor all those extra fancy shiny buildings, e.g., church office buildings, fitness rooms, coffee shops, basketball courts, etc., which would draw casual observers to peek and even join a church worship occasionally. As Comiskey duly notes, “At Pentecost, God baptized a new people with the Spirit of God, and these believers spread the gospel throughout the Mediterranean world, using the house church setting to expand (Acts 1:13ff; 12:12). Scripture says, “And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerely of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people” (Acts 2:46; Acts 5:42).”[9] However, as a wealthy home was rare and far in between, but a modest size home fit for 12-15 was the norm, from this humble and modest beginning the foundations of small groups, which would not only grow, but multiply, were laid down based on the communal sharing of everything that had among them, which unmistakenly illustrate the concept of the “extended family,” as J. Comiskey writes, “Everyone brought food, whether it was little or much, and shared it. They remembered that Christ’s death on the cross brought salvation, and they looked forward to his second coming when they would enjoy the marriage feast of the Lamb. Did they celebrate the Lord’s Supper every time they met together? We don’t know for certain, but apparently, it was a frequent practice.”[10]
This concept of “new family” would take over the world eventually, which was 100% paid for and bought by the blood of the lamb (cf. John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19; Hebrews 9:12) and now reconciled unto the Father as the sins of the world was taken away and the yolk of bondage of sin broken forever (cf. Gal 5:1; Jer. 30:8): the early church had all the necessary elements for a regular church, e.g., ardent unceasing prayer, heart-warming singing/worship, baptism, teaching/preaching of the word of God, evangelism, repentance, apostolic leadership, shared apprenticeship, and mostly the shared love in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, as the members of a church were indeed like extended family to one another as they practically lived in communal living. (Much harder to duplicate in this individualistic nuclear family focused 21st century living these days).
As Dr. Rodney Dempsey says in his video lecture, the ways to multiply small groups are 1) model it (after the Early Church for example or any successful contemporary church who demonstrated it in recent years); 2) mentor it as we need to inspire the apprentices and small group members so that they would go out and beget their own spiritual children in their own small groups moving forward; 3) motivate it; & 4) Multiply it.
It is interesting and vital to note that adopting to the conditions and practicality of the given conditions, which did suit the biblical principles, did pay the dividends for the early church congregants and their followers in their growth and unstoppable expansion after periods of the persecution and trials--not the conformation with the secular world standards, the frivolities or the commercialization of the church, that is the embodiment of our Lord Crucified, Resurrected, and Ascent Lord Jesus.
As Comiskey noted, it is not that we don't know how to appreciate the physical beauties of certain things as the image bearers of God, and they will come if we build it too, but we go beyond that to uphold and keep the most precious commandments written and given to us: the Love we have for God; and the Love we have for each other. Nothing shall come between us and that.
How to Develop/Transition to Small Groups in Your Church
Once one decides to go small groups, the detailed description of an ideal model one can use for transitioning is well described by Dr. Rod Dempsey in lecture video as well as in a lecture notes titled “11 Step Process”: these 11 Steps follow the acrostic: “S.M.A.L.L. G.R.O.U.P.S.”, and they could be very helpful.
They are:
Seek God’s Direction; Make Sure the Senior Pastor is in the Lead Position; Adopt a Model that Fits Who and Where You are; Leader Recruiting and Training; Launch the New Ministry; Grow the Quantity and the Quality of Groups; Reward the Right Behavior; Over Communicate; Utilize and Develop Coaches; Pray; See God Expand Your Vision. One cannot over-emphasize the role and importance a senior pastor plays in this transitioning process as in most cases the success or failure is directly correlated to the leadership prowess a senior pastor exhibits or the lack thereof (as I often have witnessed at first hand myself) as Dempsey and Earley note, “Serious work is done to exegete what a New Testament community looks like. The Senior Pastor becomes the point person for the small group ministry. Sunday morning Celebration services are simply a collection of groups that gather together for praise, teaching and worship. Groups are multiplying on a regular basis. Programs and ministries are de-emphasized and may even be cut from the church altogether. There is a significant effort to simplify church structure and the church is basically a 2c church (Celebration and Cells).”[11] As is the case with most organizations whether they be small groups in church setting, a sports team or a corporate company, the leadership capability displayed by the top decision makers will be crucial and long-lasting on the survivability and the impact it would have on the whole hierarchical structure.
Conclusion: How to Keep from Losing Heart in Ministry
First whatever the consequences might be, how torturous the journey, the process might be let us all be grateful keeping in mind the sacrifice our Lord did make for us and the grace God has given to us all. Nothing no matter how great and awesome works and ministries we end up doing, whatever we do ending up accomplishing on earth will never be sufficient to pay back what God has given us through His Agape Love and Grace: as Dempsey and Early write, “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart” (1 Corinthians 4:1, The Message). We become discouraged and want to quit when we feel that we are entitled to more or better. Don’t forget, being allowed to minister to others is a gift to be appreciated, not a right to be demanded.”[12] As the authors urge, “let’s keep it real while reflecting Christ in all we do and stay always positive no matter what the consequences might be,” since after all what our reward is actually stored in heaven, and not on earth as we are reminded that “Stay on the invisible glory of eternity: (2 Corinthians 4:16–18, The Message). Eternity is a very long time. As you serve the Lord as a small group leader, you are making investments that will last forever. Therefore, don’t give up! One day, it will be worth it all when you see how Christ has used you to develop healthy disciples and healthy groups that multiply for the kingdom and glory of Christ!”[13]
The older I have gotten, and the more I have served the church, the small groups that I had been tasked with leading thus far and so on, in the end I cannot express the gratitude in enough accolades and platitudes as I look back at the provisions and “Jehovah Jireh” perfect supplier that My mighty God had been for us with all our ministry works. Nothing could be accomplished if it were not for Him and His grace alone. All Glory and gratitude to the Almighty God forever more. Amen.
Bibliography
Comiskey, Joel. Biblical Foundations for the Cell-Based Church: New Testament Insights for the 21st Century Church. Longview, TX: CCS Publishing, 2012.
Dempsey, Rod, and Dave Earley. Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups. Nashville, TN: Wordsearch, 2018.
House, Brad. Community: Taking Your Small Group off Life Support. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011.
[1] Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University Press, 2018), 10.
[2] Brad House, Community: Taking Your Small Group off Life Support (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011), 106.
[3] Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 117.
[4] Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press, 2017), 231.
[5] Ibid., 231-232.
[6] Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 175.
[7] Ibid., 176.
[8] Ibid., 180.
[9] Joel Comiskey, Biblical Foundations for the Cell-Based Church: New Testament Insights for the 21st Century Church Links to an external site. (CCS Publishing, 2012), 88.
[10] Ibid., 96.
[11] Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 182.
[12] Ibid., 187.
[13] Ibid., 188-189.
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