Resources for Small Group Leaders
Four Objectives of Any Christian Small Group:
C.A.L.M.
- adapted from "Getting Big Results from Small Groups," a Small Group Leaders Manual, by Dave Weidlich, D.Min.
1. Community (Koinonia)
Acts 2:44-46
All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
2. Adoration of God
Acts 2:47: ...praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
3. Learning God’s Word Through Effective Teaching
Acts 2:42: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching.
4. Mission
Acts 2:47: And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 5:42: Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Many groups strive for "A CALM Balance."
Small Groups may stress one area over the others. For example, a ministry team would spend more time with "mission." A Bible study group would spend more time on "learning." A couples group might spend more time in "community." But all Christian small groups (committees too!) will be at their best when they include some element of all four types of activity.
An Agenda for a Balanced Small Group Meeting
Community Time, Part 1 (10 minutes)
- Welcome (Words and Opening Prayer)
- Icebreaker or Warm-up Questions
Learning Time (35 minutes)
- Catch-up and Introduction of Text
- Bible Study Questions
- Open Questions
- Dig Questions
- Reflect Questions
- Summary Statements
Adoration & Community Time (30 minutes)
- Singing
- Prayer Requests
- Suggestions for Praise (Prayer Journal)
- Prayer Time
Mission/Outreach Time (10 minutes)
(most Mission time takes place outside the regular meeting time)
Brainstorming, planning, reporting on Mission projects
Between Now and Next Time (5 minutes)
- Announcements of any get-togethers & special church functions between now and next meeting
- Suggestions for preparing for the next meeting
- Good-bye
Community Time (afterwards)
Refreshments and Social Interaction
Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- adapted from "Getting Big Results from Small Groups," a Small Group Leaders Manual, by Dave Weidlich, D.Min.