Bruce RaleyDirector Church Education Ministry

LifeWay Christian Resources

Launching New Groups

People

Reached

For ChristPeople MaturedIn Christ

Commonalities…and Distinct Differences

Southern Baptists 2012Worship attendance 188,000 less than previous year

Group attendance 120,000 less than previous year

Baptisms lowest since 1948

Over 800 SBC churches die each year

One of four American churches is dying

FADS

Program-driven era (1950’s – 80’s)

What’s hot now era (1980’s – 2000’s)

Customized church era

If leaders desire:More people reached for ChristMore people matured in Christ

Start New Groups

Potential:

• Evangelism

“To separate Bible study from evangelism takes us away from the biblical model. Biblically, education and

evangelism are intricately related”

Potential:

• Evangelism• Maturing Disciples• More people engaged in ministry

• More resources for Kingdom work

“…We have come to realize not one of those (new)

groups started on its own. Not a single one. No group

just organically sprang up…a catalyst was necessary every

time”

Catalysts are essential…

Form a Circle Does the circle

look like this? “The natural

inertia of any group is to turn inward”

Is there another way to form a circle and still hold hands?

Every church has everybody they need right now to do the

work the Lord wants that church to do right

now

Group leaders are essential…

“The success of a Sunday School leader is not

measured by how large the class grows, but by how many leaders are

sent out”

Start with the right DNA…

Disciple-making at the coreNetwork of people on missionAccountable for sending leaders and starting new groups

There is Hope!Life cycles of churches

Anytime, anywhere

Where to Start

26 ways to start new groups

Realities

The Word of God is the focal point of life transformational groups

What is discipleship?1.Discipleship is not information.

2.Discipleship is not behavior modification.

3.Discipleship is transformation.

Realities

Catalysts are essential for the creation of new groupsNew groups are created proactively

Realities

Organization attendance will increase approximately 10 for every new adult groups properly started.

New groups are offensive!

HOPE!

A challenge…Every church begins at least one new group each year … one group for every hundred people in attendance.

Watch For The Breaks in the Sandbar