An Introduction to Sermon-Based Small Groups

Below is an outline of a presentation I gave at Johnston Evangelical Free Church on Sermon-Based Small Groups, the model we employ for our small group ministry at First Family Church. 

The purpose of this presentation is to introduce you to sermon-based curriculum as a small group model and provide you with the basic skills and tools you will need to begin implementing this model in your church regardless of the size of your small group ministry.

 Overview: The Roots of SBSGs

• 40 Days of Purpose (2002)
• Halley’s Bible Handbook (The Most Important Page in the Book)
• North Coast Church, Larry Osborne

Seven Advantages of SBSGs

1. Increase Educational Impact
2. Pull in the Marginally Interested
3. Reach More People
4. Sharpen the Church-Wide Focus
5. Mainstream New Believers
6. Eliminate Idiot Questions
7. Help with Leadership Recruitment

Implementation: Bringing SBSGs to Your Church

• Importance of Planning
• Get Everyone on the Same Page

Tools & Tips

• Plan Annually (see Annual Sermon Planning Sheet)
• Organize Your Research / Content
• Develop Curriculum
• The Weekly Handout
• Online Landing Page
• Podcast, Blog, Facebook, Etc.
• Sermon Series Online
• Evaluate Your Results

Presentation Resources

• Sermon-Based Small Groups (SmallGroups.com)
• Example: Annual Sermon Planning Sheet.xlsx (right click, save as)
• Example: Study of Leviticus Group Curriculum - Week 1.pdf
• Example: Study of Leviticus Group Curriculum - Week 1.docx (right click, save as)
• Example: Course Evaluation Form.docx (google doc)
• PowerPoint Presentation - An Introduction to Sermon-Based Small Groups
• Free Mindmapping Tool: XMind - http://www.xmind.net/
• Good Existing Group Curriculum to Help Spark Ideas
  • MacArthur Bible Study Series
  • Holman New Testament Commentary Series (Max Anders, editor)
  • LessonMaker Adult (36,000 questions)

• Sermon Audio
• First Family Church
• Grace Church

Resources Available from North Coast Church

• Growth Group Landing Page
• Growth Group FAQ
• Growth Group Staff
• Example: Weekly Leader Notes
• Example: Weekly Homework Guide
• Example: Sermon for the Week
• Growth Group Leader Documents
• Sermon-Based Starter Kit ($115)

Sticky Church (the Book)

Book Description: In Sticky Church, author and pastor Larry Osborne makes the case that closing the back door of your church is even more important than opening the front door wider. He offers a time-tested strategy for doing so: sermon-based small groups that dig deeper into the weekend message and tightly velcro members to the ministry. It's a strategy that enabled Osborne's congregation to grow from a handful of people to one of the larger churches in the nation---without any marketing or special programming. Sticky Church tells the inspiring story of North Coast Church's phenomenal growth and offers practical tips for launching your own sermon-based small group ministry. Topics include: Why stickiness is so important Why most of our discipleship models don't work very well Why small groups always make a church more honest and transparent What makes groups grow deeper and sticker over time Sticky Church is an ideal book for church leaders who want to start or retool their small group ministry---and velcro their congregation to the Bible and each other. [Amazon.com]

Helpful Articles:

• Seven Advantages of Sermon-Based Small Groups (Osborne)
• "Sticky Church" Blog Tour
• Sermon-Based Small Groups or Group-Based Sermons?
• Got Synergy?

Contact Information

Chris Eller
First Family Church
Ankeny, IA 50021
Email: ChrisEller [@] firstfamilyministries.com
Phone: (515) 965-8300
Web: www.ChrisEller.net
Twitter: www.twitter.com/celler