Developing the Growth Group Program

An episode of the Reformed Thinking podcast, hosted by Edison Wu, titled "Developing the Growth Group Program" was published on March 18, 2026 and runs 38 minutes.

March 18, 2026 ·38m · Reformed Thinking

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Summary

Deep Dive into Growth Groups: How to Lead Disciple-Making Small Groups by Colin Marshall - Developing the Growth Group ProgramThe primary long-term strategy for disciple-making small groups is to foster spiritual maturity and spread the gospel globally through Bible study, prayer, and evangelism. These groups can operate within local churches, schools, and workplaces, or even serve as the primary church in areas facing religious persecution.When establishing a new program or revitalizing a stagnant existing one, it is crucial to start small rather than attempting to include everyone at once. By initially gathering a few highly committed individuals, securing the pastor's support, and focusing on training a small number of capable leaders, the program can multiply organically year after year. This developmental model produces enthusiastic participants and avoids the need for high-pressure recruitment tactics.Leaders must also recognize when to terminate a group. Groups that have become overly predictable, bored, or filled with unresolvable tension should be closed down rather than being allowed to slowly fade away. Terminations should be handled positively by setting a final meeting date, reviewing the group's highlights, giving thanks for spiritual growth, and helping members transition to new contexts. To naturally avoid the awkwardness of closing groups and prevent long-term cliques from forming, churches can implement fixed-term groups that run on a one or two-year cycle. This structure makes it easier for new members to join without disrupting the intimacy of already established groups. Alternatively, leaders can start fresh groups mid-cycle specifically to accommodate new members.Finally, ongoing evaluation is essential to ensure the ministry remains built on Christ and focused on eternal salvation. Evaluations should assess whether members understand the gospel, demonstrate active faith, and live in unity. Leaders should consistently review specific areas such as biblical learning, prayer habits, personal godliness, evangelistic concern, and their own leadership effectiveness.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainerSpotify Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1t5dz4vEgvHqUknYQfwpRI?si=e-tDRFR2Qf6By1sAcMdkdwhttps://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730

Episode Description

Deep Dive into Growth Groups: How to Lead Disciple-Making Small Groups by Colin Marshall - Developing the Growth Group Program

The primary long-term strategy for disciple-making small groups is to foster spiritual maturity and spread the gospel globally through Bible study, prayer, and evangelism. These groups can operate within local churches, schools, and workplaces, or even serve as the primary church in areas facing religious persecution.

When establishing a new program or revitalizing a stagnant existing one, it is crucial to start small rather than attempting to include everyone at once. By initially gathering a few highly committed individuals, securing the pastor's support, and focusing on training a small number of capable leaders, the program can multiply organically year after year. This developmental model produces enthusiastic participants and avoids the need for high-pressure recruitment tactics.

Leaders must also recognize when to terminate a group. Groups that have become overly predictable, bored, or filled with unresolvable tension should be closed down rather than being allowed to slowly fade away. Terminations should be handled positively by setting a final meeting date, reviewing the group's highlights, giving thanks for spiritual growth, and helping members transition to new contexts. To naturally avoid the awkwardness of closing groups and prevent long-term cliques from forming, churches can implement fixed-term groups that run on a one or two-year cycle. This structure makes it easier for new members to join without disrupting the intimacy of already established groups. Alternatively, leaders can start fresh groups mid-cycle specifically to accommodate new members.

Finally, ongoing evaluation is essential to ensure the ministry remains built on Christ and focused on eternal salvation. Evaluations should assess whether members understand the gospel, demonstrate active faith, and live in unity. Leaders should consistently review specific areas such as biblical learning, prayer habits, personal godliness, evangelistic concern, and their own leadership effectiveness.

Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainer

Spotify Music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1t5dz4vEgvHqUknYQfwpRI?si=e-tDRFR2Qf6By1sAcMdkdw

https://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730