The first agenda item of the small group leader is to become a friend to his individual group members and to win their confidence.
THE SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP APPROACH HAS SOME differences from the classroom style of study. Some of these differences are:
1. The meeting is in a home rather than the church or public building.
2. The seating arrangement is with chairs in a circle rather than in rows.
3. Group meetings are usually one night per week, one and a half to two hours long.
4. Rather than a prepared lecture by a teacher, there is a leader-guided Bible study and discussion.
5. The lesson focuses on interpersonal relationships, biblical understanding, and application of biblical knowledge.
6. Care is taken to not give heavy doctrinal material before the group members are ready. Follow-up groups and classes are usually needed to present all doctrines and instruction.
7. Decisions are called for throughout the lessons, but not to the point of producing pressure that would cause some to stop attending.
8. The maximum number of participants in a small group should be approximately 12, in contrast to a class lecture style accommodating any number.
The premise of the small group approach is that it is only the first step for many individuals in their walk with God. Hopefully this initiates a chain of continued contacts with the group members as they progress toward a fulfilling relationship with God and the church.
The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:1, 2 stated: "Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it" (NIV).
Paul recognized that spiritual material needs to be given step-by-step as a person understands the basics. He compared it in this passage to the progression of a baby from mother's milk to solid food. Ellen White reminds us of this principle when she states, "You need not feel that all the truth is to be spoken to unbelievers on any and every occasion. You should plan carefully what to say and what to leave unsaid. This is not practicing deception; it is to work as Paul worked." 1
Based upon these divinely inspired principles, this statement in The Ministry of Healing summarizes the evangelistic strategy of the small group fellowship: "Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, 'Follow Me.'"2
What was Christ's method of approaching people? He did not spend most of His time in public meetings. Instead, He met them on their own turf. If they had a need, He met it. If they needed empathy, He empathized. If they needed sympathy, He sympathized. Only when He had established a relationship of confidence based upon a genuine love and friendship did He invite them to accept Him as Lord and Saviour of their life.
Wherever you find Jesus you find Him talking to people, getting acquainted, desiring to relieve their problems and give them salvation. There was Jesus and the woman at the well (John 4), Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3), and Jesus and Simon (John 12). Jesus came together with literally thousands of people because He genuinely cared.
Keep these principles in mind:
The first agenda item of the small group leader is to become a friend to his individual group members and to win their confidence. If an individual is a stranger to you, you may have only one opportunity to present Christ and His teaching. If you have the person's confidence, then you can approach the subject several times without offending him.
Second, as you study the biblical material, be aware of the personal needs of your members. If, for example, an individual is having marital difficulties, the problems will many times be uppermost in his mind rather than the biblical material. As you empathize with him you should direct his attention to prayer and strength in God. A listening friend will provide healing power by giving support and not necessarily advice. Remember, God uses friendship and love to prepare the receptivity of the heart and mind for spiritual realities.
Third, remember that it is not imperative for members of your group to understand all the details of the biblical material at the same time. The spiritual backgrounds of your members will be diverse. In ministering to others, Jesus realized that fruit ripens at different times.
As a youth I picked citrus fruit in Arizona. When I first began, the foreman took me out to the orchard and gave me a large wire ring that clipped to my gloved finger. The ring was a gauge to judge whether the fruit was large enough to be picked. I was also informed concerning the proper coloration of the fruit. The foreman didn't expect the crew to pick all the fruit at the same time. We knew we would be returning later to the same tree to pick the fruit that wasn't ready the first time.
The above illustration leads into the fourth major observation. The small group meeting is only a beginning point. After you complete the biblical study guides, you can provide various options for your members to continue growing. These options would include continuing group studies on another Bible book, a pastor's class (group) at Sabbath school, a baptismal/doctrinal group, individual Bible studies on doctrinal subjects, etc.
In some cases the group member may choose not to be involved with further studies. If this is the case, they are still a friend. Continue the relationship through visiting and social settings. The individual may desire to participate further in the future. Genuine love and friendship, however, does not dictate that an individual must accept Christ or Seventh-day Adventism in order for a relationship to be maintained.
NOTES
1 White, Evangelism, p. 125.
2 ___, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1942), p. 143.
Kurt Johnson, writes from Oregon where he works as Church Ministries director for the Oregon Conference.
