OPEN APR 27, 2020 – JUL 01, 2020 550 $
Small Groups
Small groups should always be considered as part of the central foundation that facilitates discipleship and spiritual growth of individuals in a dynamically growing church. In whatever form they take—such as a Bible study, a discipleship group, or a house church— they are the basis for healthy church growth. Small groups also guarantee the survival of churches in times of persecution. In the New Testament church, early Christians followed the example of Jesus Christ as they met together in houses, with the central spiritual life of the church occurred.
This course will explore various small group models and also consider various leadership principles, which lead to healthy leadership and also multiplication of small groups.
TIME COMMITMENT6 HOURS PER WEEK
DURATION4 WEEKS + RESEARCH
PACETUTOR GUIDED
MODULMULTIPLICATION
COURSE LANGUAGEENGLISH
VIDEO TRANSCRIPTAVAILABLE IN ENGLISH
DIFFICULTYINTRODUCTORY
CREDIT HOURS2
TOTAL TIME40 HOURS IN TOTAL INCL. LECTURE AND RESEARCH

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What you´ll learn

Small Groups, Discipleship: Understanding small groups, leadership
Small groups should always be considered as part of the central foundation that facilitates discipleship and spiritual growth of individuals in a dynamically growing church. In whatever form they take—such as a Bible study, a discipleship group, or a house church— they are the basis for healthy church growth. Small groups also guarantee the survival of churches in times of persecution. In the New Testament church, early Christians followed the example of Jesus Christ as they met together in houses, with the central spiritual life of the church occurred.
This course will explore various small group models and also consider various leadership principles, which lead to healthy leadership and also multiplication of small groups.

Course Goals

  • The student articulates the importance of small groups for a successful and growing church.
  • The student compares and contrasts at least 4 different small-group types.
  • The student describes the key aspects and functions of a small group network. This includes the integration of small-group structures with/in larger church organizations.
  • The student charts the typical life phases of a small group and describes the significance of each phase.
  • The student demonstrates comprehension for the role of a small group leader, including the development and coaching of future small group leaders. The student acquires or strengthens competence to lead a small group, and to develop future leaders.
  • The student articulates a clear vision for small groups as a central means for outreach and discipleship in contemporary society.

Acquired Skills

  • to be announced
OPEN APR 27, 2020 – JUL 01, 2020
550 $

Contents of the course in detail

Small Groups, Discipleship: Understanding small groups, leadership
  • Importance of small groups for healthy church growth
  • Various small group models
  • Small groups in the context of the whole church
  • Biblical basis for house churches
  • The importance of goals and vision for a small group
  • The function of the leader in a small group
  • Phases in small group life
  • Leadership principles for small groups
  • Program possibilities in a small group
  • Fellowship possibilities in a small group
  • How small groups experience healthy growth
  • Small group multiplication
  • Common leadership mistakes in a small group
  • Leadership of, and care for, small group leaders

Faculty

To be announced

Final exam

Online test

Evaluation and Grading

Write 2 reports, 1 page each, based on a chapter from the required or supplemental reading (10% of grade). The student shall describe the content of each chapter and briefly evaluated in his/her report.
Visit 2 small group meetings together with a fellow THS student. Each student team is to discuss the meetings they visited with each other, then each student describes the meetings and his/her evaluation of each meeting in a 1-page report (20% of grade). The report for each meeting briefly covers each of the following points:

  • overview of the meeting
  • perceived strengths
  • what could be done better; what the student learned

Lead 2 small group meetings together with a fellow THS student. Each student team is to discuss the meetings they visited with each other, then each student describes the meetings and his/her evaluation of each meeting in a 1-page report (30% of grade). The report for each meeting briefly covers each of the following points:

  • overview of the meeting
  • perceived strengths
  • what could be done better; what the student learned

Term Paper: minimum five pages. The student selects one small group model or variation, describes its compatibility with New Testament small group principles and narratives, uses at least 4 literature sources to explain and support the model, and briefly casts a vision for how it could be used in a contemporary church context (40% of grade).

Preparatory tasks for the students

Required reading (eight hours)

Proof of achievement

to be announced

Required Reading

To be announced.

Additional Bibliography

To be announced.