Christian Education – Small Group Ministry (Onsite)

Small Group Ministry (Onsite)

MBS 1st Semester, 10th – 14th March 2025
Lecturer: Dr Koh Siang Kiang
Email: skoh@sbc.edu.sg
Phone: +65 97544171

1. Course Description: 

A practical study of the basis and practice of small group ministry, with emphasis on exercises that enhances those skills, including relationship building.

2. Course Objectives:

At the end of the course, the students will be helped:

1. To understand the biblical principles of small group dynamics and interpersonal relationships;
2. To know how to organize, structure and administer a small group ministry, paying attention to such details as recruiting, training, supervising, leading, promoting, multiplying and evaluating small groups;
3. To evaluate the different models and types of small groups;
4. To integrate theory and experience through hands-on exercises;
5. To build up resources and materials for small groups.

3. Course Requirements:

1. Pre-classroom-Reading Assignments:
   Read one of the following books and write a three-page review paper on
   what the book teaches. Indicate 2-3 lessons that are most significant to you.
   a. Icenogle, Gareth Weldon. Biblical foundations for small group ministry: an integrative approach. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, c1993. (396). (For class roster #s 1-10)
   b. Cloud, Henry & Townsend, John. Making Small Groups Work: What every small group leader needs to know. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. 2003 (292). (For class roster #s 11-21)
2. Post-classroom – Reading assignments:
   Read two of the three books on the bibliography (total 500 pages), which you had not read in pre-classroom assignment.
   For every book read, write a two-page paper of 10 lessons learned. Enumerate the 10 points.
3. In class (MDiv only):
   a. Each MDiv student will be given 15 mins to summarize the pre-class book read and share lessons learned
   b. Prepare 5 questions (a handout) to ascertain the listener’s comprehension of the book.
4. In class: Listening & Lessons learned:
   a. With each reading presentation, fill in the listening sheet prepared by the presenter;
   b. After each presentation, write a two-page paper on ten things you have learned from that book.
5. Preclassroom Assignment: Written/Oral Assignment—Small Groups Pastor Interview
   i) Each student will interview one small group pastor of their choice in a local church setting. The pastor should be overseeing a structured small groups ministry in his or her church. The interview should discover the answers to the following questions:
   a. How is the small groups program structured? How long has it been in place?
   b. How are small group leaders selected?
   c. How are small group leaders trained?
   d. Who oversees the small group leaders?
   e. What challenges do you face within your small group ministry?
   f. What advice would you give related to leading a small group ministry?
   g. What books or resources on small groups would you recommend?
   h. Include any additional questions you (the interviewer) would like to ask
   ii) The student will turn in a written summary covering the questions above in a 4–6-page double-spaced paper which should also include significant insights gained from the interview.
   iii) The student will also prepare to give a 5–7-minute presentation to the class with a brief overview of the small group ministry they investigated.
6. Post classroom:
   iv). Ask for permission to sit in two sessions of the church you interviewed. Sit in the same group for the two sessions.
   Write a 6–8-page paper: 1) summarizing your observation (1-2 pages); (2) critique the observation based on principles discussed in class (1-2 pages); (3) make specific recommendation/s for improving that group (1 – 2 pages).
7. Evaluated Experience – Practicum
   Students will be grouped in sevens to simulate a committee to plan and execute a four (4 hour) small group retreat on 13 and 14 March, before the class. The retreat must include elements discussed in class.
   On your own, before the simulation, you will determine the roles each will play. This is a class requirement, and all members must be present and be active participants of the retreat
8. Evaluation of Practice of leadership
   Each student will submit an evaluation of the leadership (see criteria of evaluation) of the student/s leading and self.
9. Assignment Policy:
   Pre-class assignments: Submit by 6th March via email;
   In class assignments: Submit hard copy in class;
   Post course assignments: Submit by 25 April via email.
   *All assignments are to be typewritten, using Times New Roman 12 point font.
10. Attendance Policy:
    Class attendance is required. Unexcused absences or lateness will be subject to the policies set by the school. It is to each student’s own benefit to be on time. It is to each student’s own benefit to attend faithfully and punctually.

4. Suggested Schedule:

• 10th March:
  9 – 9:50 Devotions/Getting to know you – 3 min testimony
  10:00 – 10:50 Introduction & Syllabus
  11:00 – 11:50 Biblical Foundation of Small groups
  12:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  2:00 – 2:50 Basics of Small groups
  3:00 – 3:50 Basics of Small groups
  4:00 – 5:00 Group preparation
• 11th March:
  9 – 9:50 Devotions & prayer
  10:00 – 10:50 Types/Structure of Small groups
  11:00 – 11:50 Types/Structure of Small groups
  12:00 – 2:00 Lunch
  2:00 – 2:50 Planning Small groups
  3:00 – 3:50 Group preparation
  4:00 – 5:00 Leadership for Small groups
• 12th March:
  8am to 1:30 pm Small group retreat 1 (includes lunch)
  2:00 – 2:50 Dynamics of relationship in Small groups
  3:00 – 3:50 Dynamics of relationship in Small groups
  4:00 – 4:30 Q & A
• 13th March:
  8am to 1:30 pm Small group retreat 2 (includes lunch)
  2:00 – 2:50 Supervision & Multiplication in Small groups
  3:00 – 3:50 Supervision & Multiplication in Small groups
  4:00 – 4:30 Evaluation
• 14th March:
  8 am to 1:30 pm Small group retreat 3 (includes lunch)
  2:00 – 2:50 Conflict in Small groups
  3:00 – 3:50 Conflict in Small groups
  4:00 – 5:00 Evaluation & Celebration of Small groups

5. Bibliography

Required Pre-classroom Reading:

• Cloud, Henry & Townsend, John. Making Small Groups Work: What every small group leader needs to know. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. 2003 (292)
• Icenogle, Gareth Weldon. Biblical foundations for small group ministry: an integrative approach. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, c1993. (396)

Required Post-classroom Reading:

• Cloud, Henry & Townsend, John. Making Small Groups Work: What every small group leader needs to know. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. 2003 (292). (For those who read Icenogle’s book you can choose this)
• Donahue, Bill. Coaching life-changing small group leaders. 2012. (176) Donahue, Bill and Russ, Robinson. Building a life-changing small group ministry: a strategic guide for leading group life in your church. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan 2012. (240)
• Icenogle, Gareth Weldon. Biblical foundations for small group ministry : an integrative approach. Downers Grove : InterVarsity Pr., c1993. (396)
• Kunz, Marilyn. How to start a small group Bible Study. 1985 (24)
• Leth, Pamela C. Small Group Communications. Benjamin-Cummings Publishing. 1977. (123)
• Peace, Richard, Small Group Evangelism. InterVarsity Press. 1985. (190)
• Zempel, Heather. Community Is Messy: The Perils and Promise of Small Group Ministry. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2012. (197)

Suggested Bibliography

• Barker, Steve (written by a small group). Good things come in small groups: the dynamics of good group life. London: Scripture Union, c1987. (188)
• Bridges, Jerry. True Community: The Biblical Practice of Koinonia. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012. (162)
• Boren, M. Scott. Leading Small Groups in the Way of Jesus. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press, 2015. (208)
• Donahue, Bill and Russ, Robinson. Building a life-changing small group ministry: A strategic guide for leading group life in your church. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan 2012. (240)
• Hartwig, Ryan T. Leading Small Groups That Thrive: Five shifts to take your group to the next level. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2020. (247)
• McBride, Neal F. Real small groups don’t just happen: Nurturing relationships in your small group. Colorado Springs, Colorado: NavPress, c1998. (149)
• McBride, Neal F. How to have great small group meetings: Dozens of ideas you can use right now. Colorado Springs, Colorado: NavPress, c1997. (127)
• Turney, Nathan W. Leading small groups: basic skills for church and community organizations. Valley Forge, Pennsylvania: Judson Press, 1996. (121)