Making Small Groups Work: What Every Small Group Leader Needs to Know Book

Acknowledgments.........................................................11
Tapping into the Power of Small Groups..................................13
PART 1 How Small Groups Help People Grow
1. God's Surprising Plan for Growth.....................................19
2. What Are We Trying to Do as Small Group Leaders?.....................31
3. The Ingredients of Grace, Truth, and Time............................41
4. Benefits of Groups That Grow.........................................56
PART 2 What Happens in a Good Group
Introduction............................................................66
5. A Second Family......................................................67
6. Connection...........................................................71
7. Discipline and Structure.............................................74
8. Prayer...............................................................78
9. Accountability.......................................................81
10. Forgiveness.........................................................85
11. Support and Strengthening...........................................88
12. Mentoring...........................................................91
13. Grieving............................................................94
14. Healing.............................................................98
15. Confrontation.......................................................101
16. Modeling............................................................104
17. Acceptance of Weakness..............................................107
18. Discipleship........................................................111
PART 3 Starting a Small Group
19. Decide on the Purpose and Type of Group.............................117
20. Choose Study Materials..............................................125
21. Design the Frame....................................................129
22. Select Members......................................................132
23. Establish the Ground Rules..........................................137
PART 4 The Responsibilities of Group Facilitators
24. Balance Grace, Truth, and Time......................................143
25. Facilitate Process..................................................146
26. Listen..............................................................152
27. Provide Safety......................................................158
28. Clarify and Ask Questions...........................................162
29. Confront............................................................165
30. Set Limits..........................................................171
31. Be an Authority.....................................................175
32. Require Integration.................................................177
33. Allow Silent Moments................................................180
34. Interpret Themes, Symbols, and Meanings.............................183
35. Help Contain Strong Emotions........................................187
PART 5 The Responsibilities of Group Members
36. Expect the Unexpected...............................................193
37. Be Known............................................................196
38. Really Listen to Each Other.........................................202
39. Give and Receive Feedback...........................................205
40. Learn to Love.......................................................211
41. Practice Obedience..................................................216
42. Make Positive Changes...............................................220
43. Learn New Skills....................................................224
44. Discover and Develop Gifts..........................................229
45. Discern Harmful Patterns............................................233
46. Confess and Repent..................................................237
47. Take Risks..........................................................241
48. Grieve..............................................................246
PART 6 How to Deal with Problems in Groups
49. Neediness...........................................................253
50. Noncompliance.......................................................257
51. Passivity...........................................................261
52. Shut Up.............................................................264
53. Aggression..........................................................268
54. Narcissism..........................................................272
55. Spiritualization....................................................276
Go and Grow.............................................................280
Appendix: Getting More Out of This Book.................................281