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Why Growth Groups Matter · Reformed Thinking

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Welcome to Reformed thinking, where we consider the timeless
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truths of God's Word and how they shape our understanding of
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life and ministry. Indeed, as those who adhere to
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the confession, our aim is always to approach topics
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through the lens of Scripture and the heritage of our faith.
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And now you're listening to The Deep Dive, the show where we
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take your source material and uncover the most significant
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insights, making complex subjects clear and engaging.
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Our goal is simple, to give you that insider track, those real
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aha moments without drowning you in a sea of details.
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Think of it as your express lane to truly understanding what's at
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the heart of this material. Today we're taking a look at a
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fascinating set of materials surrounding growth groups, How
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to Lead Disciple Making Small Groups by Colin Marshall and
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Matthias Media. Our mission is to unpack what
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makes a Christian small group distinctive and a world fill of
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groups and how this training equips leaders for truly gospel
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focused work. Right.
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It's not just about, you know, managing a group.
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No, it's about guiding God's people towards spiritual
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maturity and expanding his Kingdom.
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We'll identify the vision, principles, and practical steps
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outlined in this material, examining how it sees to develop
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leaders who can effectively foster spiritual development and
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share the gospel. So let's turn our attention to
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this material. You know, when I first started
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digging into these materials, what really jumped out at me,
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and I think you'll find this striking too, is just how well,
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how huge small groups have become in church life.
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Oh, absolutely. It's almost like a standard
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feature now isn't. It it really is.
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The sources even say it's almost a new barometer of success.
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Pastors get asked about their numbers, you know.
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Right, and larger churches often have dedicated staff just for
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small groups. It signals a real shift.
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It does, And when you look at the types of groups, wow, the
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sources list a whole bunch. Yeah, they do.
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Let's see. Friendship groups.
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Discussion groups. Prayer groups.
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Special interest ones. Mission groups.
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Bible study groups, naturally, Evangelism groups support
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groups. And they mentioned Koinonia
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groups, that deep fellowship idea.
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Right. And covenant groups too, for
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more accountability. It's an incredible variety.
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It certainly shows a deep desire within the Church for, well,
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connection, for belonging, for growth.
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Definitely. But this variety, as the
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material points out, also brings a challenge, doesn't it?
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It does. How do you maintain gospel
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clarity? How do you ensure these groups
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are distinctly Christian when there are so many models out
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there? Because they're often seen as
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this key to revitalizing the church.
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Moving nominal folks to active participants, turning struggling
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churches around. That's the hope often attached
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to them. But from our perspective,
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thinking theologically, church vitality isn't just numbers or
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programs, is it? No, it's faithfulness to the
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word. It's the spirits work.
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So we have to ask what defines success for us?
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It's a different measure. That's a really key point and
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the material it faces this head on, it acknowledges the church
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has, and I quote, jumped onto the small groups bandwagon,
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right? Adopting theories methods.
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Yeah, from secular researchers, from business, government,
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education and health, basically anywhere groups are used.
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And the secular groups led by trained people, can have a real
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impact. The sources are clear on that.
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Oh yeah, overcoming addictions, handling emotions, skill
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development, personality shifts, even weight loss tangible
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results. These groups are described as
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quote potent environments for positive change.
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So naturally Christians look at that and think, well, maybe we
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can use these techniques for spiritual things.
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And you can see the logic if it works for general human
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betterment. But this is where the crucial
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question comes in, the one you raised earlier.
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Exactly. While secular insights show
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group effectiveness for human improvement, Our Calling is
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different, isn't it? Fundamentally different.
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It's not just about self improvement in a general sense.
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It's about conformity to Christ. It's about living for God's
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glory. The change we seek isn't just
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psychological or behavioral. No, it's deeper spiritual,
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worked by the Holy Spirit through the Word.
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That's our conviction. So while we can observe group
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dynamics. The source and goal of change in
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a Christian group are unique. It's God's work primarily, not
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just human effort or technique. And this is where the tension
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really lies, right? The material calls it the
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crucial need, yes, the need to define and ensure that Christian
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small groups are an expression of gospel ministry and not just
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Christianized versions of humanistic techniques.
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That's a powerful distinction, not just tweaking secular
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methods with Bible verses. No, it's about the core, the
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source of life, the ultimate aim.
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It's easy to blur those lines, maybe unintentionally.
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So how do they ensure this clarity?
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The material dives into some fundamental questions.
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It does questions leaders need to wrestle with, like what is
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gospel ministry? Getting back to basics, what's
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our core message and mission? And what are the distinctive
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elements of a Christian small group?
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What makes it different from, say, a book club or a therapy
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group? Then what growth does God desire
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in people moving beyond just feeling better?
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To a biblical picture of sanctification, what does God
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actually want to produce in US? And crucially, how does God
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bring about his transformation of people?
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Which points us back to the spirit working through the Word,
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doesn't it? Not just human cleverness.
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Right. It directly tackles that risk of
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just slapping a Christian label on a secular framework.
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It forces theological discernment, seeing God is the
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primary actor working through the means He's given us His.
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Word, his Spirit. Exactly.
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Ensuring our methods actually serve the gospel message rather
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than, you know, accidentally watering it down.
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If we connect this to our broader reformed understanding.
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It really highlights God's sovereign work in salvation,
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yes, but also in sanctification are ongoing growth.
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Your growth isn't something we manufacture.
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No, it's a work of the spirit. This training seems designed to
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ensure leaders aren't just facilitating self help.
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But our faithful losing the means of grace, right?
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God's Word, prayer. These are the channels the
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Spirit uses. It's about stewarding God's
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tools, not inventing our own transformation techniques.
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So it. Avoids both doing nothing and
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thinking we can do it all ourselves.
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Precisely. It's a call for real clarity,
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because confusing gospel ministry with humanistic
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techniques can lead people down a path where they mistake
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outward changes for genuine spirit work in a renewal.
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That's a sobering thought hindering the Spirit's work.
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It underscores why this distinction is so vital.
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OK. So having identified that
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tension, the material doesn't just leave it there, it offers a
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positive vision. Yes, it defines what they call a
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growth group. And this definition seems key to
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their whole approach. It is a growth group is
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described in two ways, a place where Christians can grow and a
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catalyst for the growth of the gospel.
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Both aspects together, not one or the other.
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That's right. The core aim is explicitly to
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lead fellow believers toward Christian maturity and together
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reach others for Christ. Grow Christians, grow the
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gospel, that's the tagline. It is so unlike a general
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support group. Its identity is rooted firmly in
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the Gospel itself. It's not just meeting general
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human needs, it's participating in God's specific redemptive
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plan. Right, the growth is spiritual
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confirmation to Christ and the outreach is sharing his message.
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This dual focus you said is key. Absolutely.
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Both edification building up believers and evangelization
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reaching the lost. It's not either.
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It reminds me of the Great Commission make disciples.
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And teach them to observe everything Christ commanded.
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That includes personal growth and mission.
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So a biblical small group, in this view, has to embrace both.
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Yes, it avoids becoming just an inward looking fellowship club
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or on the other hand a social Action Group without a clear
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gospel core. It in creates both.
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So beyond that dual purpose, what else makes a growth group
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distinctive? The sources lay out a few
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things. Well, first, as we've said, that
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core purpose Christian maturity and evangelism.
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Right and 2nd, the emphasis on Gospel centered ministry.
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Yes, being a direct expression of gospel ministry, not just
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humanistic techniques with a Christian veneer.
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Which means constantly wrestling with those core questions we
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talked about. What is gospel ministry?
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What growth does God want? It has to permeate everything,
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the discussions, the prayer, the relationships.
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The gospel isn't just the starting point, it's the engine
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for ongoing growth. It's not just a label then, it's
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the whole orientation. Exactly.
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It forces leaders to constantly ask, where does true spiritual
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growth come from? And the answer for us is the
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Spirit working through the Word. Right.
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Not just good group dynamics or clever strategies.
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The goal isn't just fellowship, though that's good.
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It's conformity to Christ's image and participating in his
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mission. That theological grounding seems
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to be the anchor. It is.
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It keeps the group tethered to God's redemptive work,
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preventing it from drifting into just another self help
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gathering. OK.
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And then there's the role of the leader.
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This seemed like a really significant distinction.
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It is growth. Group leaders are trained as
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Bible teachers, pastors, not just small group facilitators.
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That sounds like a much higher bar.
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It implies a different function. They are equipped to teach the
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Bible and pray with other Christians.
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So not just guiding a discussion where everyone's opinion is
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equal weight. No, it applies bringing faithful
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interpretation and application of Scripture.
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The whole ministry is meant to be shaped by the Bible.
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Meaning sound, doctrine, accurate exposition, these are
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central. Yes, it elevates the place of
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God's Word within the group. It's leadership with biblical
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substance. So what does being a Bible
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teacher pastor mean in this small group context?
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It sounds like a big responsibility.
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It is. It means more than just
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facilitating. It means someone who can
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accurately handle God's Word. Interpret and apply it
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faithfully. Right.
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And also shepherd's souls provide genuine pastoral care
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within that small group setting. Discern spiritual needs.
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That's a much weightier role than a typical secular
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facilitator. It reflects the seriousness of
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dealing with Scripture and people's spiritual lives.
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It points towards a need for theological understanding and
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pastoral responsibility. It's about helping people grasp
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truth and actually live it out. Apply it.
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Yes, equipping leaders for that kind of specific application.
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The material also mentions something about the training
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itself that it covers the fundamentals of gospel work.
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Right, making the principles useful beyond just growth groups
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for all Christian ministry. Suggesting these aren't niche
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skills but core competencies for serving Christ.
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Exactly. And linked to that, growth
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groups are seen as part of a bigger picture.
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They're envisioned as contributing to a long term
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expansive strategy to winning the world for Christ.
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OK, so it's not just about maintaining cozy little internal
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groups. Well, it's outward looking
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missional, each group potentially playing a part in
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reaching people who don't yet know Christ.
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An active strategy, not just passive existence.
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Yes, connecting it to our broader theology, these
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fundamentals of gospel work are the core activities of the
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church. Proclaiming the good news.
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Building up believers. Things that should define
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everything we do as a church. Right, and that expansive
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strategy reflects the Great Commission making disciples of
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all nations. These growth groups are seen as
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tools means God can use in that global work.
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Viewing them strategically then. Yes, as part of the Church's
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overall mission to spread the gospel, not just maintain
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itself. Now let's.
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Talk about the training program itself, the sources say.
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It's not just a book about small groups.
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No, it's presented as a 10 week practical hands on training
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program. Hands on, so learning by doing.
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That's the emphasis developing effective leaders, not just
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theoretical knowledge, but actual ability.
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And its focus is on defining what makes Christian ministry in
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these groups distinctive. Especially given how common
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small groups are in general society, how do we keep the
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Christian identity? And you mentioned it's value
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extends beyond small groups because it hits those
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fundamentals of gospel work. Right, suggesting the core
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principles are transferable to other ministry areas.
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A solid foundation. This practical hands on approach
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seems crucial. It really does.
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Equipping practitioners, not just informing academics.
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Developing leaders who can do the work.
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Moving from knowing about it to knowing how to do it.
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Which is vital for ministry effectiveness, isn't it?
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It aligns with how Jesus trained his disciples.
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Learning paired with doing. Building competence alongside
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understanding, Yes. Equipping people to actually
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shepherd, teach, and evangelize in a group setting.
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So who is this training actually for?
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The material says any Christian or group of Christians committed
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to equipping leaders. That sounds broad initially.
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But then it gets more specific about the kind of person who'd
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benefit. Right.
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It's for someone who wants to lead believers toward maturity.
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So a desire to foster spiritual growth in others.
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And wants to reach others for Christ together with them.
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An evangelistic heart working collaboratively.
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It's for someone interested in being trained to teach the Bible
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and pray with others. A passion for scripture and for
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intercession. And one seeking to be prepared
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to gather believers for evangelistic efforts.
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Ready for outward mission? And ultimately, someone aiming
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to be equipped to grow Christians and grow the gospel.
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Covering that dual purpose we talked about.
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South. Essentially, it's for anyone
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serious about pursuing both spiritual formation and gospel
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expansion through this kind of group ministry.
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It's not for casual attendees then, it's for intentional
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leaders. Exactly.
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The audience is specific in its intent.
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It speaks to the call to discipleship and mission,
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focusing on those ready to lead in that work.
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It filters for people who grasp that leading a group like this
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is serious spiritual work. Yes, not just social planning.
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It ensures trainees are aligned with the program's theological
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and missional goals. Let's look at the structure.
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It sounds quite well organized. It does.
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Several components are mentioned. 15 training topics
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covering key areas right? Then ten session outlines for
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the trainees found in their manual.
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Their weekly guide. And 10 corresponding outlines
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for the trainers available separately, the trainer notes.
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Essential for the person leading the training, I imagine.
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Guidance answers. Probably and appendices for
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extra resources or tools. Logistics seem straightforward.
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Trainees need the manual. Trainers need the trainer notes.
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This modular setup allows for a structured, repeatable process.
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A church could run this consistently.
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Then having separate trainer notes seems significant.
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It really points to the practical design.
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It recognizes that trainers need support.
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They don't have to be world experts on every single point.
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Apparently not. It provides scaffolding and
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train quality and consistency, even if the trainer isn't, say,
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a seminary professor. Makes it more accessible for
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churches to implement. Empowers them to raise up
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leaders. Exactly, even if they only have
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a few experienced people initially, it helps multiply
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leaders. How is the training actually
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delivered? It's designed for a training
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group, yes. Led by a trainer and the size is
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interesting. Maximum of 10 ideally, but can
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be as small as 2. That small size highlights it's
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the practical focus, ensures everyone gets to practice.
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No hiding. Makes sense and it's 10/1 hour
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sessions minimum. Minimum, they strongly recommend
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longer sessions if possible for better results.
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Deeper learning takes time. And the trainer need some
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experience, but not necessarily an expert.
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Again accessible. Right.
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And the small group format for the training itself is clever.
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How so? It models the very principles
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being taught. It creates an environment for
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observation, feedback, mutual learning.
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Like a mini growth group focused on leadership development.
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Precisely. It's immersive.
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You learn what to do and how to do it partly by experiencing a
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well run small group focused on training.
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Far better than just lectures. Especially for skills like
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leading discussion or shepherding.
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Absolutely. Leaders are formed in community,
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learning from experience. What actually happens during
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these training sessions? It's not just exercises, right?
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No. Besides specific activities, the
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training group includes regular prayer and some Bible
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discussion. So the spiritual elements are
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built right into the training process itself.
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Yes, it grounds everything in spiritual dependence and
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scripture from the start. It models the kind of group
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they're learning to lead. So it's not just about learning
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techniques in a vacuum. No, it's about spiritual
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formation happening even during the training, a constant
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reminder that this is God's work.
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That seems very consistent with our reformed understanding.
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It is starting and ending with prayer, engaging with the Bible.
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It grounds the practical skills in reliance on God in His Word.
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It models the disciplines that should characterize all
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Christian ministry, right? Reinforcing that we're
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instruments dependent on His grace and truth.
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The how to stays connected to The Who and the why.
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OK, beyond prayer and Bible discussion, there are three
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specific types of exercises mentioned with icons.
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Yes, structuring the learning. The 1st is practice exercises.
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This sounds like where the hands on part really happens.
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Exactly. Group members actually practice
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leading a Bible discussion. So one person leads, others
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participate but also observe. Yes, maybe one leads, a couple
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observes specifically, then the whole group analyzes how it
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went. Like that example you gave Sarah
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leading on Ephesians 4, people give feedback on her questions,
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how she handled things. Right immediate constructive
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feedback in a safe space building practical skills and
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confidence. Direct experience.
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OK, what's the second type? Mirror exercises.
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These involve a group reflecting on its own dynamics.
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Looking inward at how the training group itself is
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functioning. Yes, discussing how they just
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completed an activity fostering introspection about group
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interaction. So questions like, did everyone
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get to speak? How did we handle disagreement?
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Exactly, holding up a mirror to their own group process to learn
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about dynamics first hand. That insight then informs their
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future leadership. Clever learning by observing
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themselves and the third type. Topic Exercises This is where
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the trainer leads discussion on the set training topics for the
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session. The theoretical and theological
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backbone. Right trainees read the topics
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beforehand, maybe with some guide questions, and then
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discuss them. But not every single topic it's
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discussed in session. No trainees are expected to read
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all 15 topics over the 10 weeks, but the sessions focus on
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selected ones or allow trainees to bring questions from their
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reading. Ensuring the whole framework is
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covered, even if not all details are debated.
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Yes. So these three types practice
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mirror topic cover a lot of ground.
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They really do seem to cover the spectrum.
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Practice builds the core ministry skills like handling
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the word essential from our perspective.
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Mirror develops self-awareness and understanding of group life
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vital for shepherding. And topic provides the solid
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theological and methodological foundation.
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It shapes behavior, understanding and attitudes.
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A comprehensive approach. Aiming for leaders who are both
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competent and doctrinally grounded.
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Let's talk about the intended outcomes, the goals.
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There are two categories mentioned.
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Right. Broad goals.
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First, the overall philosophy and vision.
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These seem foundational, equipping leaders with the
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vision, attitudes, knowledge and skills.
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Training them as Bible teachers, pastors, not just facilitators.
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Developing an understanding of small group ministry shaped by
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the Bible. And imparting that vision for
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long term expansive contribution to quote winning the world for
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Christ. That phrase again, What kind of
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vision is that from our perspective?
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It's a vision centered on God's glory, the advance of his
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Kingdom using his means, the word, his people.
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An active missional stance rooted in the Great Commission.
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Yes, encompassing both the spiritual growth of believers
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and reaching the lost, seeing these groups as strategic parts
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of God's work. A big vision, OK?
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Alongside those broad goals, there are very specific
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competencies. The practical skills trainees
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should walk away with. Things they can actually do,
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like identifying good and bad Bible interpretation habits
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crucial. Preparing a Bible study,
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structuring it properly. Leading a Bible study,
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effectively guiding discussion and application.
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Analyzing what makes a discussion work or fail for
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continuous improvement. Assisting in a study.
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Leading prayer times. Getting started in one to one
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ministry. Recognizing discipleship beyond
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the group. Diagnosing symptoms of an
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unhealthy group. Being proactive.
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And ultimately, being equipped to start a growth group, putting
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it all into practice. These are really concrete
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skills. And notice how directly they
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support the big vision handling the Bible well, leading prayer
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1:00 to 1:00 work. These are the tools for
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fostering maturity and engaging in mission.
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It ensures leaders are prepared for the real demands of gospel
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work work both inside the group and individually.
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It's a complete toolkit really. Doctrinally sound, ractically
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caable. That seems to be the aim.
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O To kind of bring it together, the material seems to say, if
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you want to lead believers toward maturity and reach others
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for Christ. This training offers a way.
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It focuses on making sure Christian groups are truly
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expressions of gospel ministry. Not watered down versions of
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secular techniques. And that focus on Christian
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maturity connects directly to our understanding of
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sanctification, doesn't it? Absolutely.
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That ongoing spirit work process of becoming more like Christ in
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character in conduct. And the reeking others for
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Christ part. That's the missional call of the
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church. Our responsibility to share the
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gospel. Every believer participating in
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God's Kingdom work. So when we talk about spiritual
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development. It has to include both, doesn't
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it? Deeper understanding of truth
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and a life reflecting Christ's character and mission, doctrine
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and discipleship. Belief and behavior.
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This course aims to equip leaders to facilitate that whole
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process, grounded in Word and spirit, fostering internal
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health and external outreach. It's a robust picture of how God
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builds His church, nurtured and outward focused.
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Well, this deep dive into growth groups has certainly shown that
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leading a Christian small group is intended to be much more than
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just facilitating conversation. Definitely.
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It's presented as a purposeful, biblically shaped ministry
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aiming to grow believers and expand the gospel.
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That focus on leaders as Bible teachers, pastors equipped with
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skills and vision, It does seem like a strong model.
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A blueprint for groups that want to be genuinely distinctive and
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effective for God's Kingdom. It makes you think, though,
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doesn't it, about our own groups?
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Are they truly expressions of gospel ministry?
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Or have they maybe unintentionally drifted into
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something less lost that distinct edge?
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It's easy to focus just on the fellowship or just on a topic
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and maybe lose the gospel centrality so.
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What does this mean for you? Listening.
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Perhaps it makes you think about being better equipped yourself.
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Or maybe about how you're church's small groups could more
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fully embody these distinctive elements.
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The question maybe lands personally, how am I
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contributing to both Christian growth and the growth of the
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gospel through intentional Bible shaped engagement?
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That is a compelling thought to ponder.
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Thank you for joining us on the Deep Dive.
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Until next time, keep seeking to grow in grace and knowledge.