COURSE DESCRIPTIONCOURSE OBJECTIVESREQUIRED TEXTBOOKSCOURSE REQUIREMENTSGRADING PROCEDURESELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHYSPECIFIC DATAASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Northwest College Branch Campus Kirkland, Washington September 27 – October 1, 2004 Monday 3-5pm, Tuesday-Friday 1-5pm PTHE 640 USING SMALL GROUPS TO BUILD COMMUNITY (2 Credits) Robert J. Carlson, D.Min. FALL 2004 COURSE SYLLABUS COURSE DESCRIPTION This course develops a biblical and practical understanding of small groups. It examines principles for developing and leading groups, as well as models of small group ministries. It provides opportunities for interaction with an actual small group, small group system leadership, and small group curriculum. COURSE OBJECTIVES Cognitive Outcomes The participant should gain an increased understanding of: 1. the biblical foundation and principles for small groups. 2. contemporary models of small group ministry. Character/Attitude Outcomes The participant should: 1. appreciate the value of small groups in meeting the cultural challenges facing today’s church. 2. strengthen his/her commitment to the value of community in fulfilling the purposes of the church. Skill Outcomes Through this study, the participant should be better equipped to: 1. establish and nurture a small group system. 2. evaluate the development of the growth of the system. 3. evaluate, create, and customize appropriate curriculum 1REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS Donahue, Bill, and Russ Robinson. Building a Church of Small Groups: A Place Where Nobody Stands Alone. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001. (216 pp.) Gorman, Julie A. Community That Is Christian: A Handbook on Small Groups. 2d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002. (244 pp.) Haggard, Ted. Dog Training, Fly Fishing, & Sharing Christ in the 21st Century. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2002. (207 pp.) Note: If the participant has read any of these books for credit in another class, please substitute another book from the bibliography. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Pre-Session 1. Read the required textbooks and submit a 4-5 page report on the first day of class noting the completion of the reading and the primary principles that you gleaned from the reading. 2. Each participant will be prepared to submit and discuss a 3-5 page report listing all the “one another” passages in the New Testament on the first day of class. Session 1. The Small Group Experience · As Participant. Participants are expected to attend all class sessions, participate in discussions, and support other participants’ leadership projects. · As Leader. Each participant will lead (individually or in a team, depending on class size) a small group meeting during class. The participant will choose a particular type of group (i.e., service evangelism, task, free market, home, etc.), design the experience including lesson material, and lead the meeting. Post-Session 1. Read an additional 350 pages from the bibliography and prepare a reading report noting the book(s) and the number of pages read. 2. Research Project Participants may choose one of the following options or present instructor with a creative option. All projects should include field research of some kind (e.g., interview a small group system point leader, visit a small group, interview an experienced small group leader), model chosen and any adaptations thereof, and leadership applications. 2· Write a 15-20 page strategic plan for the development or strengthening of small groups at a new church plant. · Write a 15-20 page strategic plan for the development or strengthening of small groups in an existing church (be sure to include transitioning considerations). · Write a 15-20 page research project on an aspect of small group ministry about which you would like to learn more (leadership development, member recruitment and participation, small group system structure & growth, etc.). Please get topic approval from instructor. · Create a multi-media presentation to promote small groups in a church. Presentation should be accompanied by a prospectus detailing the target audience, philosophy of ministry, and structures required to support this promotion (follow-up, tools, connection points). DUE DATE: POSTMARK BY JANUARY 3, 2005 NOTE: Work received after the post-session due date specified in the syllabus will result in a change of grade fee ($15.00) being charged, even when an extension has been granted by the instructor. GRADING PROCEDURE Reading & Report 20% Attendance & Participation 20% Leading a Small Group 30% Research Project 30% Submit all assignments to: Robert J. Carlson, D.Min. 2715 Everett Avenue Everett, WA 98201 [email protected] (425) 339-3303 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1992. Banks, Robert. Paul’s Idea of Community: The Early House Churches in Their Cultural Setting, rev. ed. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1994. Barker, Steve, Judy Johnson, Rob Malone, Ron Nicholas, and Doug Whallon. Good Things Come in Small Groups: The Dynamics of Good Group Life. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1985. Barna, George. The Habits of Highly Effective Churches. Ventura, Calif.: Regal, 1999. 3Borthwick, Paul, Carl F. George, Paul A. Kaak, Carol H. Lukens, Gary C. Newton, and Steve R. Sheeley. New Directions for Small-Group Ministry. Loveland, Colo.: Vital Ministry Books, 1999. Coleman, Lyman, ed. Director’s Workbook for Small Groups. Littleton, Colo.: Serendipity, 1994. Comiskey, Joel. Home Cell Group Explosion. Houston: Touch Publications, 1998. ________. Reap the Harvest: How a Small-Group System Can Grow Your Church. Houston: Touch Publications, 1999. ________. Leadership Explosion. Houston: Touch Publications, 2000. ________. How to be a Great Cell Group Coach. Houston: Touch Publications, 2003. Crabb, Larry. The Safest Place on Earth: Where People Connect and Are Forever Changed Nashville: Word, 1999. Davis, Deena, comp. Discipleship Journal’s 101 Best Small Group Ideas. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1996. Donahue, Bill P. The Willow Creek Guide to Leading Life-Changing Small Groups. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. Donahue, Bill P. and Russ Robinson. The Seven Deadly Sins of Small Group Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002. ________. Walking the Small Groups Tightrope. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003. Frazee, Randy. The Connecting Church: Beyond Small