Starting a Growth Group

An episode of the Reformed Thinking podcast, hosted by Edison Wu, titled "Starting a Growth Group" was published on January 20, 2026 and runs 26 minutes.

January 20, 2026 ·26m · Reformed Thinking

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Summary

Deep Dive into Growth Groups: How to Lead Disciple-Making Small Groups by Colin Marshall - Starting a Growth GroupCreating a Growth Group is a creative process that transforms a collection of individuals into a supportive community focused on spiritual development. According to the sources, the two primary goals of these groups are Christian growth, which involves living with Christ as Lord, and Gospel growth, which aims for the message of Jesus to bear fruit. To achieve these objectives, groups engage in core activities such as prayer, Christ-centered Bible study, and the proclamation of God’s word. Leaders are encouraged to set the group's agenda by involving members in these activities immediately rather than simply explaining them, as active engagement is a more powerful way to demonstrate the group's purpose.Success depends heavily on setting clear expectations from the beginning. Leaders should communicate specific commitments regarding attendance, punctuality, and participation during the recruitment stage rather than after the group has already formed. This clarity helps manage diverse member expectations—such as the desire for friendship or intellectual discussion—by aligning them under a shared vision. Practical considerations include inviting affinity groups with common interests and maintaining a group size of 6 to 12 members to ensure everyone can participate without feeling lost. Meetings should be weekly and held in comfortable, accessible locations, with a set termination point to allow for future transitions.Leaders must also navigate various stages of group life, moving from a tentative phase where members may feel awkward to a settled stage characterized by honesty and ownership. In the initial stage, directive leadership is required to create a sense of security. If a group eventually becomes complacent, the leader may need to set new goals or conclude the group. During the first meeting, the priority is fostering universal participation to ensure every member speaks and feels included from the start.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 - Starting a Growth Group

Creating a Growth Group is a creative process that transforms a collection of individuals into a supportive community focused on spiritual development. According to the sources, the two primary goals of these groups are Christian growth, which involves living with Christ as Lord, and Gospel growth, which aims for the message of Jesus to bear fruit. To achieve these objectives, groups engage in core activities such as prayer, Christ-centered Bible study, and the proclamation of God’s word. Leaders are encouraged to set the group's agenda by involving members in these activities immediately rather than simply explaining them, as active engagement is a more powerful way to demonstrate the group's purpose.

Success depends heavily on setting clear expectations from the beginning. Leaders should communicate specific commitments regarding attendance, punctuality, and participation during the recruitment stage rather than after the group has already formed. This clarity helps manage diverse member expectations—such as the desire for friendship or intellectual discussion—by aligning them under a shared vision. Practical considerations include inviting affinity groups with common interests and maintaining a group size of 6 to 12 members to ensure everyone can participate without feeling lost. Meetings should be weekly and held in comfortable, accessible locations, with a set termination point to allow for future transitions.

Leaders must also navigate various stages of group life, moving from a tentative phase where members may feel awkward to a settled stage characterized by honesty and ownership. In the initial stage, directive leadership is required to create a sense of security. If a group eventually becomes complacent, the leader may need to set new goals or conclude the group. During the first meeting, the priority is fostering universal participation to ensure every member speaks and feels included from the start.

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