MULTIPLYING YOUR SMALL GROUP
DISCERN AN APPRENTICE
Do not expect perfection. But look for those who are growing in their walk with Christ–regular time in God’s Word and prayer, increasing obedience to God as evidenced during mutual ministry time, and godly leadership within the home. Look for someone who is faithful, available, and teachable.
FAITHFUL: A person who is committed to the things of God. The opposite would be someone who is sporadic and unwilling. If someone is not serious about his or her faith, that person is not ready.
AVAILABLE: A person who is allocating time and priority to growing in his or her walk with Christ and in his or her relationships. The opposite would be someone who does not prioritize and value the importance of time together. It does not work to disciple someone you have to beg or who is too busy to study outside your meeting.
TEACHABLE: A person willing to learn and open to seeing new truth through honest questions. The opposite would be someone who is proud and argumentative at every turn.
Invite the potential apprentice to be an Apprentice and potential Small Group Leader.
FAITHFUL: A person who is committed to the things of God. The opposite would be someone who is sporadic and unwilling. If someone is not serious about his or her faith, that person is not ready.
AVAILABLE: A person who is allocating time and priority to growing in his or her walk with Christ and in his or her relationships. The opposite would be someone who does not prioritize and value the importance of time together. It does not work to disciple someone you have to beg or who is too busy to study outside your meeting.
TEACHABLE: A person willing to learn and open to seeing new truth through honest questions. The opposite would be someone who is proud and argumentative at every turn.
Invite the potential apprentice to be an Apprentice and potential Small Group Leader.
DEVELOP THE APPRENTICE
Invest in your apprentice through one on one mentoring, on-the-job training, and upcoming training courses that Harvest is offering.
In 1:1 meetings, pray with them, read scripture with them, and discuss group events together. Mentoring isn’t hard, it just takes time. If there are questions you don’t know the answer to, admit that and seek help together!
Look for on-the-job opportunities for training. Employ the model of See One (I lead, you watch), Do One (Let’s lead together), Teach One (You lead, I watch).
Then, talk to your Small Group Coach about upcoming Harvest Small Group Leader Training courses. These classroom instructions will equip your apprentice with key theology, skills, and tools for being a Small Group Leader and Disciple-Maker.
In 1:1 meetings, pray with them, read scripture with them, and discuss group events together. Mentoring isn’t hard, it just takes time. If there are questions you don’t know the answer to, admit that and seek help together!
Look for on-the-job opportunities for training. Employ the model of See One (I lead, you watch), Do One (Let’s lead together), Teach One (You lead, I watch).
Then, talk to your Small Group Coach about upcoming Harvest Small Group Leader Training courses. These classroom instructions will equip your apprentice with key theology, skills, and tools for being a Small Group Leader and Disciple-Maker.
DEPLOY THE APPRENTICE
- Talk with the Small Group Coach and/or Director to report the discernment and development of the apprentice and the process of multiplication
- Set a target date for multiplication. This will vary depending on the size of the group and the season of ministry
- Discuss with the Small Group Coach, Director, and Apprentice to determine who will stay with the existing Small Group and who will go with the new group. It’s best to decide this as the leader, not as an open discussion with the whole group. Place people based on what’s best for both groups. Try to keep some existing relationships together.
- Share the plan with the Small Group. Cast vision for multiplication and communicate the plan. Adjust the placement of people if necessary.
- Celebrate as a Small Group! Throw a party! Affirm the new Small Group Leader in front of the whole group. Make plans for a social time to connect as two groups within the first two months. Pray together.