Cooper Mountain Presbyterian Fellowship

Getting BIG Results with Small Groups

a Small Group Leaders Training Manual Web Sample by Rev. David Weidlich, Pastor, Cooper Mountain Presbyterian Fellowship

4. Mission and Outreach

Acts 2:47: And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 5:42: Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

G.R.O.W: Groups Reaching Out to the World

Unfortunately, some groups never get past the first two or three goals of small group life. That's a tragedy. It's like the sprinter who trained several years for the Olympics. But he received the wrong information about the time his race was to be run. What a surprise when he arrived at the stadium to see his race being run--without him.

All of our community building and believer building has a purpose that goes far beyond the scope of your small group. God has plans for your Small Group that will impact your community, your places of work, your homes, maybe another people group in another continent! That's pretty big thinking--but that's exactly what happened with Jesus' small group of twelve. And it has happened again and again. In fact, many revivals and mission thrusts can be traced back to a small group.

So, keep on going to Outreach. In fact, don't wait untill you have all the other pistons firing, start with the first meeting.

The Empty Chair

The simplest outreach you can provide is the "Empty Chair." That means if you have eight people at your group meeting, you put out nine chairs. One is empty, but hoping to be filled next meeting. Pray for the person God wants to fill that chair. Tell the group that the empty chair is a reminder that the group can always welcome a new person. Challenge them to bring someone with them to the next meeting to fill the empty chair (and then put out another empty chair).

As you keep filling the empty chair, your group will outgrow the pleasant small group size. That's the idea. We know that growth is painful. You can then do one of the following:

• Reproduce--send a few of your group members out to start a new group. That's how families grow! The Apostle Paul planted small groups (which became churches) all over his world. You may do the same!
• Keep on meeting together-at least for the rest of your covenanted time period. But divide into smaller groups for some of the Bible discussion and prayer times. Then all meet together for Worship and Outreach planning.
• Or-don't let any new people in your group. The only way you'll grow is "stale." That sounds terrible. Don't choose this option.

Mission to Group Members

Your group's ministry to each other really falls under "Community" but the line gets fuzzy when the person in need is a former group member, a potential group member, or a friend, neighbor or relative of a group member. Whichever category, go for it! Set aside time in each meeting to plan and report on outreach activities. Make it a high priority.

Mission Beyond the Group

Your Small Group will be a great ministry team. Use group time to plan and report on projects like neighborhood clean-up, canvassing neighbors to invite them to your group or special church event, putting on a neighborhood Bible club, taking on a work project at church, or volunteering at a food closet.

Past groups have also gone on short-term mission trips, sponsored a refugee family, and helped with a smaller church's work day.

Possible Small Group Mission Projects

• "Adopt a Missionary" - call our Missions Office for suggestions. Then write, call, pray, and generally provide emotional support. We already provide money for several missionaries. The rest of their needed support takes the personal touch that your group can provide.
• Serve drinks to Sacramento Marathon runners as they pass by the church.
• Have a work day at the home of someone who is unable to care for their home (disabled)

Have your group brainstorm and come up with your own projects:

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