Facilitating Support Groups Christian Training

CNS732 Facilitating Support Groups Syllabus

LOGOS Equivalent Course Numbers

Undergraduate: CNS332 Group Counseling

Graduate: CNS732 Group Counseling

Course Description: Small groups are one of the most effective ways to attract people from the community into a church that would otherwise not be reached for Christ, help the largest number of people in the church with a minimum expenditure of resources, and provide a forum for one-on-one evangelism. Many persons coming to small groups in churches even expect a spiritual approach because they are familiar with the format of Alcoholics Anonymous groups. Leading a small group can be very rewarding but it can also have its challenges. This course will provide for the group facilitator all that is needed to start and maintain a support group ministry in a church.

Text Book: Making Small Groups Work by Cloud and Townsend

Optional additional text book: How to Lead Small Groups by McBride

Lesson 1: Need for Groups

Lesson 2: Types of Groups

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Lesson 3: Benefits and Liabilities of Groups

Lesson 4: Structure of Groups

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Lesson 5: Dynamics of Groups

Lesson 6: Stages of Groups

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Lesson 7: Qualifications of Leaders

Lesson 8: Getting Started

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Lesson 9: Leading Your Group

Lesson 10: Ending Your Group

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COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Read the text book Making Small Groups Work and underline important material on leading small groups.

2. Watch the DVDs and take any additional notes not covered in the manual. Prepare for the open book final examination.

3. Write a 5 page paper on the subject matter of a particular type of group you are interested in leading. Use your Bible or additional resources to expand on what you have already learned.

4. Write 3 page paper on your proposal to your pastor for beginning and leading a small group in your church. Discuss how you would use the material in the text book to ensure that you had a successful group.

5. FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY write an additional 5 page paper on why small groups fail and what you would do to ensure that it does not happen in your church. Compare your ideas to the methods Jesus used in leading his small group of disciples. Use additional books or information on the Internet on small groups to gather your detailed information for this paper.

6. Submit your papers, video, and audio tape to Word of Life Institute for grading. Remember to include the class critique form so that we can have your input on improving this course. Please include a self-addressed envelope and adequate postage if you want us to return your papers, tapes, and final grade.

Making Small Groups Work by Cloud & Townsend $14.99

This book provides small-group leaders with everything they need to know to help their small group of any kind. It's an operating system for small groups. You'll get the most out of your group, no matter your topic, from divorce recovery to marriage enrichment, from grief recovery to spiritual formation—grow spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.
With insights from their best-selling book How People Grow, Cloud and Townsend show how God’s plan for growth is made up of three key elements: grace plus truth plus time. When groups embrace those elements, they find God’s grace and forgiveness and learn how to handle their imperfections without shame as they model God’s love and support to one another.

Book Description
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BECOME A FIRST-RATE SMALL GROUP LEADER. Whether you're new, a veteran, or just thinking about it, How to Lead Small Groups will make you a more effective small group leader-of a more successful small group! How to Lead Small Groups covers leadership skills for all kinds of small groups-Bible study, fellowship, task, and support groups. And it's designed to help you hit the ground running, by giving you all the tools and information you need-without making you wade through complicated or time-consuming background information, theory, or rationales. With 20 years of small group experience, Neal McBride knows what makes or breaks a small group-and what can make or break you as a leader! So he's filled How to Lead Small Groups with step-by-step guidance and practical exercises to help you grasp the critical aspects of small group leadership and dynamics including: defining your group's purpose, covenanting, understanding group stages, evaluating your group, handling conflict, asking good discussion questions, and stimulating healthy fellowship, sharing, and prayer. So whether you've never led a small group before, or have led hundreds, you'll want to keep How to Lead Small Groups close at hand. You and the groups you lead will benefit from these clear, concise leadership essentials over and over again.

Optional Text Book: How to Lead Small Groups by Neal F. McBride $12.95

5 DVD Wideangle with wireless mike 2008 DVD Set Facilitating Support Groups $85.00

Making Small Groups Work and 5 DVD 2008 Set $95.00