DSMN 500 Discipleship Ministries Module 5_Week 5 Discussion Thread: The Importance of Small Groups 2026 Liberty University Discussion Thread: The Importance of Small Groups
A Church body consists of individuals from various locations who share a common faith. In general, there are no limitations regarding membership in a ministry or church; the sole prerequisite is adherence to the specific regulations of the respective denomination. During Jesus' earthly ministry, He selected a small group of twelve to be His disciples. He was their small group leader and provided them with knowledge and guidance, a little at a time, as He sent them out. They learned through observation and did not always get it right. An example of this was the boy who suffered from epileptic seizures: "Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, 'Why could we not cast it out?' So, Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matt. 17:19-21, New King James Version). As their leader, Jesus did not condemn them for their lack of understanding and weak faith, He used the situation to become a teachable moment. Similarities may be seen in the life of Jesus Christ, the creator of Christianity, who, while on earth, drew people from all over the world, but only selected a select twelve to be His followers. This prompts an inquiry into the significance of small groups within a church or ministry context. Small groups play a crucial role in the Church as they facilitate the development of relationships both within the group itself and extend to the broader Church community and surrounding neighborhoods. The vertical relationship individuals maintain with God is paramount, as it serves as the foundation for establishing horizontal relationships and fostering the trust necessary for collective strength and growth among group members. “Making Disciples is the main reason why a church exists, so everything in a corporate body needs to funnel people toward a relational small group in which discipleship can best happen.”1 Leaders must also to be careful not to place new converts in charge of small groups so it is imperative for individuals possessing a stronger faith to assist those who exhibit a lesser degree of faith. New adherents to the faith often refrain from participating in prayer and worship gatherings; re-engaging them becomes challenging when the groups are sizable. It ensures straightforward contact tracking and effective communication. Another advantage of small groups is the ability to grow and learn. We can use the Bible as an example, where Christ fed the five thousand men and collected twelve baskets as leftovers, (Matt. 14:13-21, NKJV) they collected the remains without difficulty because their leadership comprised a small group. People expect church leaders to be naturally honest and upright morally, but this is not the case because they are human. Small groups allow members to reach their full potential. Individuals within the church are encouraged to recognize and cultivate their distinct gifts and talents, striving for continuous improvement each day. Engagement in practice
Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman. DiscipleShift: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. 2nd. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2013). 184 1