Small Groups with Purpose: How to Create Healthy Communities
Overview
Make small groups work in your church! Small groups are a vital way to build community. This practical book walks you through the questions you need to answer to develop your own intentional small group strategy. Because it is built on principles and not methods, this step-by-step process can be implemented successfully in any size church. Each chapter ends with a list of questions for you to answer to help you assess your current situation and your desires for the future.
In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.
Key Features
- Presents proven, biblical strategies for growing small groups
- Shares personal small group triumphs and defeats
- Includes assessment questions at the end of each chapter
Contents
- What Is a Healthy and Balanced Small Group?
- My Story: And What It Has Taught Me about Ministry
- The Saddleback Difference: The Ten Foundations of Saddleback’s Small Group Ministry
- What Did We Learn from the Book of Acts?: The Paradigm Shift
- What Does This Look Like?
- Is Your Vision Blurry?: Define Success Clearly
- It All Starts with Community: Build a Foundation for Health and Balance
- Leading for Spiritual Formation: How to Create a Church of Disciples, Not Attendees
- Don’t Lead Alone: Mobilize Your Groups from Sitting to Serving
- The Church with No Walls: Opening the Doors of Your Church
- More than Music: Worship in the Life of Your Groups
- Step-by-Step, How Can I Do This?
- Spiritual Health Assessment: Living Life on Purpose
- Helping Groups Become Healthier: Provide a Clear Pathway for Members to Follow
- Leadership Matters: Selecting and Recruiting Leaders
- The Road Ahead: Developing a Simple Training Pathway
- Laying the Foundation: Developing an Organizational Infrastructure that Works
- What Does This Mean for Overall Church Strategy?
- Sunday School and/or Small Groups: Understanding How Groups Fit into Your Church
- Making the Most of Every Opportunity: How to Increase Connection
- Exponential Power: Unleashing the Force of the Campaign Strategy
- Do I Have What It Takes?
- Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me: Lessons from My Journey
Top Highlights
“Our vision is the reason we are here: to see every person, from the core of our church to the ever-growing community, connected in a healthy small group. Our mission is what we do: we help spiritual seekers become transformed believers who model purpose driven lives and motivate others to do the same.” (Page 29)
“With intention and focus, however, group members can begin to look at discipleship as not only learning about the Word of God but also living out its truth in every aspect of their lives through the five biblical purposes.” (Page 39)
“Groups of people who meet around special interests or ministries of the church are strategic, but they are not trying to balance the five biblical purposes (fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism, and worship) to create healthy individuals and groups.” (Page 27)
“We have grown to more than 3,500 adult small groups by using campaigns to launch new groups each year. Since 2002, campaigns have increased small group participation at our church from 30 percent to 120 percent—seriously!” (Page 33)
“Today at Saddleback we expect every small group to focus on health through balancing the five biblical purposes: fellowship, discipleship, ministry, evangelism, and worship. We call these purpose driven small groups.” (Page 27)
Praise for the Print Edition
Saddleback’s brilliant pastor of small groups shares the biblical strategy, the secrets, the failures, and the lessons behind the remarkable growth of our small groups.
—Rick Warren, founder and senior pastor, Saddleback Church, Lake Forest CA
You absolutely must put a copy of Steve Gladen’s book into the hands of your small group leadership. The wisdom he shares here is a gift.
—Carl George, founder, Consulting for Growth, Inc.
Whether your church is pioneering a new approach or you’ve been at it for years, this book has insight for establishing a sound approach to small group ministry, built on Steve’s extensive experience. You will find his book practical and encouraging.
—Ed Stetzer, president, LifeWay Research
Product Details
- Title: Small Groups with Purpose: How to Create Healthy Communities
- Author: Steve Gladen
- Publisher: Baker
- Publication Date: 2013
- Pages: 240
- Christian Group: Evangelicals
- Resource Type: Topical
- Topic: Small Groups
About Steve Gladen
Steve Gladen has been pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church since 1998. He oversees more than 3,500 adult small groups at Saddleback and loves seeing a big church become small through true community developed in group life. He is the coauthor of 250 Big Ideas for Purpose Driven Small Groups, Building Healthy Small Groups in Your Church, and Don’t Lead Alone.