Introduction

The Highland Oaks Church of Christ is one of the oldest churches in Dallas County. Tracing its roots to the mid-1880s, the church has enjoyed a rich restoration past. In 1992, Dr. John Ellas, Director of The Center for Church Growth, was commissioned to conduct a study of the church and to make recommendations to the eldership concerning steps that could be taken to position the church for greater growth and development. Among the many recommendations that Ellas made was that the church could develop more small groups to facilitate spiritual growth in the members, more evangelistic outreach, and effective assimilation of new members.

Small groups are often seen as a panacea. They can, in fact, be just "one more activity" -- one more program -- that keeps people too busy to serve God effectively. They can prove counterproductive if they do not facilitate real spiritual growth rather than more "busy-ness."

A customized approach is essential for each church. However, initially the primary thrust of a small groups ministry must be the development of a strong base of spiritual leadership. The first leaders will need to set a standard for future leaders to imitate. Effective leadership in the groups is the mechanism by which spiritual as well as numerical growth is facilitated.

The Highland Oaks small groups ministry is called the "Growth Ministry." There are three growth dimensions within the ministry -- spiritual growth of each group participant and leader, growth of body life among members, and numerical growth through evangelistic additions.

The small groups are called "growth groups." The stated mission for each group is, "To make and mature disciples to the glory of God." The mission is based on Matthew 28:19-20. Maturing disciples are growing in their imitation of Christ and, thus, are becoming increasingly involved in body life and evangelism. Each growth group leader hears this mission statement recited many times and should know it by heart. The phrase, "to the glory of God," expresses the motive of our mission.

In every growth group there is a male leader who takes the overall leadership role. In addition, he is expected to select another male as an assistant who will be developed to lead a new group when one is formed. Also, a female leader is appointed along with an assistant to lead in the growth and development of the women in the group. Every group is expected to have one male and one female leader participate in weekly leadership development classes held at 4:45 p.m. before the 6:00 p.m. Sunday evening assembly. Assistant leaders are also encouraged to attend, especially when plans are being made for a particular group to birth a new group.

Don't make the mistake of believing that placing Christians in small groups will naturally lead to spiritual and numerical growth. Knowing WHAT to do does not necessarily imply knowing HOW to do it. Restoration churches have long known that spiritual and numerical growth are biblical imperatives. Yet many leaders still struggle with how to lead members in spiritual growth and evangelistic outreach.

The church of God is designed and intended to grow. To build as "expert builders" (1 Cor. 3:10), we must utilize the New Testament pattern that involves infiltrating the very fiber of society with the character of Christ, carried there by Christians living out the life of Christ in their spheres of influence. Small groups ministry is a way to do just that.

How can churches experience spiritual and numerical growth? The first place to begin is getting back to a basic focus on a personal relationship with God. When this focus is firmly established in hearts and minds, the church is ready to move on to the remaining growth principles.

Focus On Christ

Teach every leader and participant that the goal is conformity to Christ, not "being in a small group." Our mission is first to "make" disciples of Christ (Matt. 28:18-20). Disciples are called to imitate Christ in every way. Teaching people to obey everything Christ commanded is the way disciples are brought to maturity. Leading others to make and mature disciples requires teaching them first WHAT to do and then teaching them effective methods concerning HOW to do it. Christ's life is the model for both (Heb. 12:2).

As Paul explained in addressing every problem the Corinthians were experiencing, Christ is the answer. Keeping every leader and every small group member focused on Jesus will establish the foundation for growth and development. Lose this focus and all efforts will derail.

To build a Christ-focused church, here are a few suggestions:

1. Preach on Christ often. Keep reminding your preacher if necessary.

2. Teach on Christ often. Encourage your teachers to follow suit.

3. Demonstrate how all your beliefs and methods conform to the will of Christ (Col. 2:8)

4. Engage leaders in studies of how Christ thought, felt, and acted.

5. Challenge leaders to think about how Christ would walk in their shoes.

6. Discuss specific applications of Christ to their lives, the lives of their group members, and outsiders they reach.

7. For leaders, conduct "growth circles" which focus on Christ.

Someone once observed that to be a good rancher, you must first be a good grass farmer. In the same way, to be effective at spiritual development using small groups, you must first master the development of true spiritual leaders. Do a good job of developing Christ-centered leaders and you are on your way to the most exciting ministries imaginable. Fail at this and you will wish that you had never started a small groups ministry.

Paul said, "The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached" (Phil. 1:18). The preaching of Christ will ultimately overcome every obstacle to growth -- even bad motives. Leaders must become Christ-centered, Christ-preaching, and Christ-energized (Col. 1:28, 29). Motives need to be addressed as the training progresses. Focus on Christ from the beginning and do not veer away from him.

Go For The Heart

Probably the great art of spiritual growth lies in the ability to "go for the heart." Jesus was obviously the master of it. "Getting the mind" does not mean getting the person." Consider the number of knowledgeable people who are lost. Jesus won the disciples' hearts; consequently, he got their lives. We must start with the mind, but we must see the mind as a pathway to the heart. We have to help disciples get the gospel from their heads to their hearts. The 12-inch path from the head to the heart is probably the most difficult journey of all.

Help members feel something. Perhaps it is better they leave your training times angry than feeling nothing. I do not want others to be angry, but at least anger might move them to do something, even if it is to prove me wrong. Jesus insisted on people feeling. He touched their hearts: "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" (John 8:10). "You are Israel's teacher and you do not understand these things?" (John 3:10). "Go call your husband and come back" (John 4:16). "Out of my sight, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men" (Matt. 16:23). How do you think these people felt when they heard Jesus say these things? That's exactly why he said them.

Here are some ideas:

1. We must first develop our own hearts for God to develop the hearts of those in our ministry. Allow your own feelings to show. Let them see your passion for God and his Son. Let them understand that you have deep feelings about what you do. Show them the rational side, but allow them to see into your heart. Mark notes, "He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled" (Mark 14:33). How do you think these apostles felt? Jesus demonstrated his feelings constantly. Emotions flowed in virtually everything he said and did.

2. Help others develop their hearts for God. Ask "feeling" questions along with "thinking" questions. Start with something like, "What do you think Jesus meant here?" Then go to something like, "What do you think Jesus might have been feeling when he said it?" Continue with a question like, "How do you think those that heard him felt?" Then, "How does it make you feel?" Do not let them hedge, but teach them to answer with feeling words.

3. Encourage passion for the cross. We don't think it strange for people to act like complete fools at athletic events, but we get so "cool" when it comes to the most passionate event ever -- the cross. This is not meant as an endorsement of blind zealotry, but rather it's a challenge to assist other people to feel passion for Christ and the cross. Small groups are custom-made for people talking on a feeling level. The way to cultivate this kind of talk is to "ask, ask, ask." When one does too much "telling," then there is not much "selling:' To sell individuals on honest feelings about the implications of the atonement, you must help them process internally the great meanings concerning Christ and his crucifixion. These feelings often are not pretty, but they are necessary. Someone once said, "The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable."

4. Raise expectations. People tend to live down to our expectations of them. They also will fail because no one expected them to succeed. For example, expect great leaders. Expect dramatic spiritual growth among them and group members. Expect conversions. Do not let yourself imagine having no conversions. Expect great happenings by raising expectations and verbalizing them often.

Conclusion

These practical suggestions are not intended to be a "formula" for spiritual growth. They are merely ways to facilitate spiritual growth. True spiritual growth comes only from a close personal relationship to God and imitation of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18), and to the extent that any activity helps participants do this, that activity is useful. The Holy Spirit's primary work is to conform each disciple into Christ's image. Our work is to walk as Jesus walked and to talk as Jesus talked and to teach others to do likewise. We must be about teaching others to draw close to God and be obedient to Christ's commands.