Andrews

University
SDA Theological Seminary
Department of Discipleship and Religious Education








Methodology Paper:
Small Groups





Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Course DSRE 534







By
Amberdawn Cheatham







Due: December 2, 2014

According to research by Banner org it is true that the Seventh Day Adventist Church is
losing at least 61 percent of their youth. It has also been found that the median age of members
in our church is 51 years of age. We see that there is a mass exodus of our youth from our
churches based on research that supports that youth are rejecting the institution. According to
Gary Land, Seventh-Day Adventism is characterized by dominant rationalism. This means
that our church is highly proof and information based. As a result this leaves the church almost
void of the elements needed to build relationship. Based on this characteristic of our church, one
can reduce that youth are leaving our church because of its inability to provide for their needs.
To be able to effectively reach young people we must seek to provide a method of
ministry that will truly meet the areas of need their lives. It is understood that youth are looking
for spirituality, community, and authenticity. If this indeed true then the method of small group
ministry will truly meet this need and bring youth into a true relationship with Jesus. This
method will assist us in averting the crisis of losing our youth.

Small Group Model

Purpose
When considering the ministry of small groups, one must consider the importance of
interpersonal relationships. It is important to understand the difference between deepening faith
and deepening relationships. It is the desire of many to aim for providing youth with the
opportunity to build community due to the fact that moving from individualism to community is
indeed a characteristic of the millennial generation. However, we must realize that small groups
are there to help young people develop deepening faith with a byproduct of deepening
relationships. The small group should aim at the development of the whole person. The leaders

of the small group should be intentional about helping to develop interpersonal relationships that
build community; intrapersonal relationships that thrive on effective communication,
authenticity, sharing and personal growth; Spirituality and Devotional Habits; Other factors that
include service, evangelism, listening and practical skills.
Recruitment
If one desires to form a small group there must be a method for recruiting members that
ensures the building of positive interpersonal relationships. Each member of the small group
should be handpicked, with the understanding that the members of the group will later be
involved in the ministry as a possible leader. Recruited members should have three very
important qualities, a heart for God, interpersonal skills, and fair organization. These are
important characteristics to consider because they will be the future leaders of the groups and
will increase the groups chances for success. When leaders have finished recruiting members
there is a shakedown period that will allow members to try out the group before they make a
commitment to the group. This period is two weeks that allows newly recruited members to try
out the group with an Easy out if they do not like it and the organizer a chance to practice and
make permanent their methods. It is also important to note that once the group begins it should
be considered a Closed/Open Group. It should be noted that for the trust cycle to truly form it
takes four weeks. This means that once the small group begins, no one else can join. This is not
a method for exclusion, but it allows for the element of community to develop within the group
as well as a safe space for openness and honesty. If there are people that wish to join after the
group is closed offer them a chance to join later or work with them individually until the new
small group begins.
Contract

When putting together a small group there are six core elements of the small group that
must be considered. These points fall under the contract. Each element is crucial for the
effectiveness of this ministry when working with youth. Contract Period, Time Commitment,
Reading, Confidentiality, and Concern.
Contract Period
The contract period is ten weeks for once a week. Placing a ten week contract
period on the small group helps young people feel less pressure about commiting because
the time period is definite. The ten-week contract period also enables the facilitator to
cover in depth certain spiritual diciplines that will assist the youth in their journey toward
a closer relationship with God.
Time Commitment
The second area of great importance to small group ministry contract is time
committment. Youth are more inclined to participtae in a group that has a truthful time
committement. Each small group meeting should be 1.5 hours in length. It is crucial to
stick to this time period because young people already feel a certain level of distrust of the
inistution. Sticking to the prescribed time shows youth that you are appreciative of the
time that they have chosen to share with you. Abiding by the alloted time period also is
another way to build trust between the facilitator and the members of the group.
Commitment
Not only is it imperative to be committed to the time frame of 1.5 hours but the
facilitator should also be committed to being present at every metting. Modeling
Committment to the members will also garnish committment from the members as well.

Having each member commit to the small group will help build the trust necessary for an
effective small group.
Reading
It is also important for members of the group to commit to doing the devotional
readings. This portion of the contract is important because of the concept of practice
makes permanant. The whole purpose of the small group is to help nurture and build
genuine spirituality. The best way to do this is to practice and commit to spending the time
committing to the spiritual disciplines.
Confidentiality
The element of confidentiality is also very important for the small group model. It is
expected that within this model of ministry the small group is an environement that
produces an trust and honesty. If the element of confidentiality is broken the stability of
the group will be severely altered. Based on the understanding that the millennial
generation is in need of authenticity, if the confidentiality factor is broken, the trust will be
lost.
Concern
If implemented correctly, the small group will create a trusting environment where
people will want to share very personal situations. Members of the group, especially the
facilitator, should excercise a certain level of concern that shows that the community cares.
However, it should also be noted that the group is not there to provide counseling or fix
the problems members are facing. Facilitators of the group can refer members to the
appropaite resources to aid inc oncerns.

Format
There are three unique sections to the format of a small group:
1. Transitional Activity
2. Devotional
3. Conversational Prayer
Section One: Transitional Activities
The transitional activity portion of the small group meeting has a very important
purpose. The purpose of this activity is to allow for the young people to be able to leave the
stress of the world at the doorstep and be able to encounter God. It is important to note
that these activities are not meant to be icebreakers. Within the transitional activities,
facilitators must note that these activities should be ones that invite the Holy Spirit into the
presence of the group. As a result of this activities, the minds of each of the small group
members should be shifted towards their personal growth and transformation and
strengthening of their relationship with God and others in the group.
Section Two: Devotional Activities
Devotional Activity includes three elements, review, teaching, and experience. This is
easily one of the most important elements of the small group. When conducting a
devotional activity the as the facilitator will need to be able to help youth be able to learn
how to develop a consistent devotional life. Through practice within the small groups, we
help youth begin to understand how to develop a devotional habit that works for them and
can become permanent. When introducing the devotional activity the leader should
provide information and then allow time for youth to practice the activity. When beginning
devotional activity it is important to provide background information and explaining that

spirituality requires intentionality. After, explain that our goal is also helping them gain
authentic spiritual transformation.

Examples of Devotional Activities

Scripture Reading Activity: Reading the Bible Reflectively
Ellen White shared with us that it is of little benefit for us to rush through the bible
when reading. It is important to provide young people with rationale as to why reading the
bible reflectively is important. Reading the bible reflectively will allow young people to
understand more about scripture than they knew before. It is often felt that we know
everything about the scriptures, but we do not take the time to experience what is actually
happening in the scripture. To help young people understand more fully the facilitator
should use something called stepping into scripture. Stepping into the bible allows for
young people to begin to love the bible through narratives. It is well known and accepted
that youth are drawn to the narrative style of preaching and listening so this activity will
grab the attention of the youth quickly.
Step 1: Provide a Scripture
Example:

Mark 10:46

Step 2: Break the youth group into groups of four and assign character roles from
the story.

Example:

Bartemaus

Disciple

Pharisee

Someone in the crowd that isnt healed

*Be sure to go around to the groups and verify the roles that have been selected.

Step 3: Have youth separate and read the story on their own with the bible and a
provided journal and pen. Youth should be encouraged to read the story and
understand it through the minds of the character they have selected.
Provide youth with prompting questions to consider when reading the story using
the phasing method. Starting the questioning on a general level and then allowing
members of the group to gain comfort being able to share in a more intimate way.
a. What is your character thinking?
b. How does this connect with my life?
c. What invitation is God giving me in this story? This question is the most
important because the facilitator wants the youth to realize that the bible
talks to them.
Step 4: Allow youth to share the answers to their questions. Facilitators should
encourage a dialogue rather than just listening.
Step 5: Break the group of four down into a groups of two to share their answers to
the last questions.
Facilitator Notes:
Facilitator should not join a group but float from group to group
Remind the group that this activity should help them focus on exploring their own personal
relationships with God.
Prayer Activity: Prayer as Conversation

This activity teaches young people what prayer is about, relationship. It grows out of
reflecting on Scripture. It is important to share that prayer is not just an opportunity to get
exactly what we want from God. Many people believe that they are not doing what is necessary
to be done to get the results they desire. However if we appropriately understand the usage of
prayer we will be better able to reap the benefit of prayer, which is a true connection with
God. According to scripture, our prayer is a conversational relationship with God that allows us
to interact with God to get what He wants.
Step 1: Introduce the concept of prayer and the true definition based on scripture and true study.
Step 2: Split the group into smaller groups and have them talk to each other about their
experiences with and their definitions of prayer. Be sure to have them talk to one other person
not the whole group. You want the youth to be able to speak honestly and have a safe place to
share.
Step 3: Have the youth share back the conversations that they have had concerning prayer.
Step 4: place another statement before the youth to stimulate conversation

" God doesn't merely respond to prayer"

Then add God responds to us.

God sees our whole life whereas we only see a small bit. We should want God to respond
to our whole life. We should learn that while we make the request we should leave the
final say up to God. We should learn to trust God and know that he has the bigger picture
in mind.

Share that we need to reduce RTG. The request, thanks, and give me.

Step 5: share with the youth that the important aspect about this is also journaling. Because of
the conversation that happens in your head.

Step six: have young people go off for five minutes to have conversational prayer. Tell them
to reduce their RTGs.
Step 7: Have the group discuss what it was like to have conversational prayer.
Unplugging: The Joy of detachment
The purpose of this activity is to help young people realize the importance of
choosing their source of nourishment. It is well known that young people are in need of
connection of any sort to others. Even though most anti-social of youth still yearn for some
sort of community. For this reason young people turn to connection through social media,
electronics, and other noise makers to fulfill their needs. It is this addiction to social
media that causes youth to sometimes unplug from God to the detriment of having a true
spiritual relationship with Him. Not only do these things pull our attention from God, they
define for us what is important in life. With the declining moral state of society, we cannot
afford for our youth to constantly be busy with the agenda of the world. The meaning of
Detachment Activity helps young people seek to hear the voice of God, by cutting out all of
the noise that comes from being attached.
Step One: Begin the activity with sharing the story about the bees that can be found here:
http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-spiritual-exercises/the-meaningof-detachment/
Share with youth based on a quote from Ignatius making use of those things that
help to bring us closer to God and leaving aside those things that dont This story shares
how bees were selective about where they choose to get their nourishment from. They
played an active role in building the process. The bees were not stuck to the flower they
received nourishment from; they only used it to fill a certain need. There may be some

things that God is calling us to detach from. While the use of our devices may not be
completely wrong, when we are always attached to them we upset the delicate balance of
our environment needed for us to live life the way God intended.
Step Two: Ask youth to discuss in small groups some of the things that they are heavily
attached to concerning media and electronics.
Step Three: Ask youth to place their phones in a prepared box and give them a few
minutes to find a quiet space in or outdoors that allows them to connect with God.
Step Four: Ask youth to spend quiet time alone with God in prayer and reflection and to
listen for what God is telling them. Encourage youth to journal, draw, write a poem, or song
that captivates their message from God.
Step Five: Ask youth to come back together with their groups and share about their
detached time with God.
Step Six: Ask youth to commit to spending more detached time with God.
Step Seven: Split the smaller groups into pairs and ask each member to pray for their
partner to be able to successfully carry out their commitment.
Praise Devotional Activity
Praise allows us the opportunity to thank God personally for all of the things that he has
done for us. Praising God should be a joyful expression that allows us to truly adore God in an
uninhibited fashion. It is important for young people to learn how to give praise to God in a way
that is suitable and genuine to who they are without shame. One can easily see that the Adventist
Church is highly traditional and tends to lean towards a more conservative form of praise. This
style could have deep implications for the life of the young person involved in this denomination.
Youth could stray away from expressing their praise in an individual and authentic way.

It is important that the small group creates a safe space for youth to joyfully thank the
Lord for anything that has been done for them. It is very essential for the facilitator of the group
to highlight areas in the bible that address praise and provide the youth in the group to see
biblical examples of praise. Directing the attention of the group to books such as Psalm
specifically in chapters 9 and 150 we constantly see the psalmist reference praise that is full of
joy. These verses describe that God is worthy of praise and that His praise is everywhere. Invite
youth to take a look into these verses to see an example of uninhibited praise that the Father
deserves.
Based on the site, Small Groups Tools for Mentoring, the following activity will be helpful in
introducing members in your small group understand how to give praise.
Step One: Provide a brief explanation and Example of Praise Based on the introductory
paragraph. Using verses in the bible that highlights examples of Praise.
a. Psalm 9
b. Psalm 150
c. Matthew 21:16
Step Two: Lead members in sharing a testimony along the following lines:
a. Answered prayers during the week
b. Something special God has done for them in the past week
c. The things about Christ that makes them want to follow Him
d. An attribute of God that was demonstrated this week
Step Three: Have the small group members to take turns reading a few Psalms in their
groups that express praise to God. Use the following as a basis
a. Psalm 23

b. Psalm 27
c. Psalm 40
d. Psalm 103
**Be sure to have the members in the groups read the Psalm out loud. Once the group
has finished reading the psalms, have them pray in response to the psalm based on the
praises they want to offer God.
http://www.toolsformentoring.com/small-group/worship-ideas.html

Section Three: Conversational Prayer

Once the devotional activities are complete it is important to have each members
participate in conversational prayer. As mentioned earlier, conversational prayer allows
for members of the group to take the focus off of themselves and place it on their
relationship with God, and His plan for their lives. This portion of the small group allows
participants to pray with God concerning a specific topic that you covered in small group. It
should be noted that this section of the small group is different than the activity. You will
want to provide a time within each small group meeting for youth to engage in
conversational prayer. This is the portion of the session that allows youth to practice and
truly make permanant their connection with God.

Conclusion
The small group method is a tested method that allows for youth to truly build a
relationship with Christ in the way that is most comfortable for their generation. This
ministry should not be taken lightly and should be executed in a strategic and intentional
fashion to give youth with the opitmal experience. Young people of today hold the key to

the churches future, it is the pastor, youth leader, or passionate laity that have the privlage
of teaching them how to appropriately use their key.

Work Cited
Engels, J., & Engels, N. (2010, January 1). Worship Ideas for Small Groups. Retrieved
November 21, 2014.

Silf, M. (n.d.). Prayer, Spiritual Direction, Retreats, and Good Decisions. Retrieved
November 21, 2014, from http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatianprayer/the-spiritual-exercises/the-meaning-of-detachment/