Small Groups: From Worship to Discipleship

This resource is meant to be used in connection with the worship resources for the Season of Epiphany - "Love Never Ends: Being the Body of Christ." Each session uses the same Scriptures and themes as the previous Sunday’s worship service. The preferred pattern is for participants to experience the worship service first, followed by group study during the week that follows.

The subtitle, “From Worship to Discipleship,” is intentional. By deliberately connecting the themes and Scripture from corporate worship to the small-group experience, participants will be more fully formed into disciples of Jesus Christ. People learn best when they are in conversations with others.

The role of the group leader is not to be the “answer” person or the person with the most biblical knowledge. Instead of providing the “right answer,” a good facilitator helps the group members ask the right questions. Facilitators should familiarize themselves with the format, questions, possible answers, and background information ahead of time.

Other group dynamics to consider:

Group size should consist of six to eight people. If there are more than eight participants, consider adding more time for the group to meet and/or more groups. Each person added to the group will create more relationship dynamics to be managed; each person might not have enough time to share.
If the group is larger than eight participants, it is advised to split into even smaller groups within the group as needed so that all participants get a chance to talk. This will also keep one or two voices from dominating the discussion.
It is highly advisable to use a group covenant to provide expectations of participants’ roles and manner of speech. Specific items to include should be confidentiality and speaking only for oneself. Another idea to foster dialogue is the “three-before-me” rule. That rule states that participants must wait until at least three other participants have spoken before they can speak again. For examples, see Sample Guidelines.
A proper learning environment can often be judged by whether all participants are willing to risk sharing their perspectives, no matter how popular or unpopular.
If your group meets in a church building, be sure the chairs are soft and the group is set up in a circle. Use tables for food only. If participants meet in a home, make sure there are plenty of seating areas and be sure to limit distractions, such as pets. If your group is meeting in a coffee shop or restaurant, be sure the space will be comfortable and quiet enough for conversation.

Introduction to the Format

There is a pattern for each week. The times are suggestions and are loosely based on an hour timeframe. The times should be modified, as needed. Each session will consist of the following elements:

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal)

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). Each session will begin with an opening question to foster dialogue and help the participants settle in to the theme for the week. These questions are meant to be done in micro groups of two or three people.

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). This guide does not include a lot of questions. The intent is for group dialogue and not merely giving the correct answer. Opening questions transition the gathering time into the dialogues, as the total group centers on the themes and Scripture for the week. During the dialogue sections, you will see guidance and possible answers to the given questions with brackets [ ]. These are only possible answers and are not meant to be exhaustive of other answers. Questions that begin with (R) are meant to be more reflective. This will mean more time should be spent on these questions relative to others and will often result in participants needing more time to process. It is a helpful practice to allow participants plenty of time to process these questions internally. Don’t be afraid of silence.

Prayer (10 minutes). Allow each participant who would like to do so to lift up a person or situation he or she would like the group to be in prayer over. Following each request, the leader will pray, “Lord, in your mercy…,” and the participants will respond, “Hear our prayers.” If the situation is warranted and if the participant is willing, surround the participant and lay hands on him/her and allow those who are willing to do so to pray for this person and/or situation.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). Ask for a volunteer to send the group out with the printed blessing; or read the prayer in unison.

Well Pleased

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In groups of two or three, respond to the following, “We see in verse 15 that ‘the people were filled with expectation.’ When was the last time you had exciting news to share? With whom did you share the news?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Luke 3:15-17, 21-22.

(R) What labels and/or titles have you been given (positive, negative, neutral)?
A voice from heaven declared Jesus as Beloved. “When I think that being God’s beloved is the core of who I am, it makes me feel…”

Blessed
Ashamed
Guilty
Conflicted
Speechless
Other

Henri Nouwen wrote, “Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the ‘Beloved.’ Being the Beloved expresses the core truth of our existence.” (Henri J.M. Nouwen, Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World.) Do you agree or disagree with Nouwen’s statement? Explain.
How is John the Baptist a model disciple? [Points to Jesus. Acknowledges Jesus’ power.]
How does John the Baptist characterize the ministry of the “one coming” after him? [More powerful than John. One of judgment. The fire in this context is judgment more than refinement.]
Why is the phrase “and was praying” (in v. 21) important to what happens in the story? [Shows Jesus’ practice of being in prayer, demonstrates Jesus’ humanity and intimate relationship with the Father and that what happens next is the result of being faithful in baptism and in prayer.]
(R) What does it mean to be a beloved child of God?
Option A: If your worship service did not include a “Remembering of Your Baptism” time, share your stories of being baptized. Who was there? How old were you? How meaningful was it for you? For your family? For the church community?
Option B: If your worship service included a “Remembering of Your Baptism” time, share your experience. How was this meaningful for you? Why is it important to remember your baptism?

Practice: Find a way to remind yourself that you are one of God’s beloved children. This might mean placing a sticky note with the word “beloved” on your bathroom mirror or a wallpaper on your computer or home screen of your cellphone that reminds you that you are beloved of God.

Homework: Have each participant complete one of the following online spiritual gifts assessments. Ask participants to bring the results to the next session.

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). Ask for a volunteer to lead the group or read the following prayer in unison:

Faithful God, we can find words of affirmation uncomfortable. Help us to be uncomfortable in hearing your affirmation declared over us and others. Remind us that we are one of the baptized. May our baptisms be a source of affirmation and a call to emulate Jesus by serving others. May others see in us that your love that never ends. Amen.