Growing in Small Groups

FrontLine March/April 2019 | VOLUME 29 | NUMBER 2

In America, big churches are getting bigger and small churches are getting smaller. According to the Hartford Institute and Leadership Network, America boasted 150 “mega-churches” (2000 or more in the congregation) in 1980 and is home to nearly 2000 of them today. Simultaneously, the median attendance of over 300,000 American churches declined from 129 in 2000 to 80 in 2015. On Sunday mornings many churchgoers are lost in an impersonal crowd while others feel as though they are standing out in a shrinking congregation. As congregations expand and contract, there is an increasing focus on the fulfillment found in small groups.

The 120 who gathered in the Upper Room before Pentecost enjoyed a sense of urgency and intimacy. Acts 1:13–14 identifies one of every ten in attendance by name. Since we know that the unnamed sons of Mary were James and Jude and we are introduced to Joseph and Matthias when they are nominated to take the place of Judas, we can still cite the names of sixteen in attendance at the pre-Pentecost prayer meeting. Soon, the Holy Spirit will come (Acts 2:4) and the 120 prayer warriors will be enlarged to meet in the Temple (Acts 2:46) and divide in “breaking bread from house to house.”

Making disciples has always required multiplication by division. Most often, large churches started out as small groups. Sometimes believers gather in small groups because of persecution. At other times, small groups are formed in order to enhance association. Whether by accident or by design, small groups have always been a part of making ministry mighty.

This edition of FrontLine magazine is dedicated to small groups. The articles published here will introduce you to Bible studies that became churches, military bases that experienced revival, and international groups that found a home in American churches through the use of small groups. There is spiritual strength to be found when believers gather in small groups.

Dr. Chuck Phelps pastors Colonial Hills Baptist Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, and serves as the vice-chairman of FBFI.

Features

Pastoral Reflections on an Ancient Model of Ministry
Nathan Deatrick

The faithful pastor must determine if the concept of small groups can be traced to Scripture.

Gathering the Nations
Matthew Barfield

Local churches of the first century faced cross cultural ministry problems too.

Intentional Discipleship at Round Tables
Micah Shoultz

Disciple-making requires time spent one-on one and in small groups.

Overcoming Obstacles and Objections
Michael D. Sproul

No church reproduces itself solely from the pulpit ministry alone.

Lessons Learned from Small-Group Bible Studies
William J. Senn III

Because of attending this small group, I called on the Lord Jesus Christ to save me.

Church Planting with Small Groups
Kevin Callahan

Is it possible to plant a growing, God honoring church in an increasingly heathen culture?

Creating Community in the Military Chapel
Michael D. Sproul

After being deployed to Saudi Arabia, I returned home with a plan: this body of Christ would solidify only if we built community.

Small People in Small Chairs
Claudia Barba

Departments

The Fundamentals for the 21st Century

On the Home Front

Wit & Wisdom
David Atkinson

How Can I Decide What Is Right for Me When Good Men Differ?
David C. Innes

Regional Reports

Notable Quotes
Robert Condict

On Language & Scripture
Mark L. Ward Jr.

At a Glance — The Church: An In-House Discussion, Part 2
Layton Talbert

Ministry in the Sea Services
Rob Johnson

Failed or Successful Leadership
Jerry Sivnksty

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