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Q & A Discussion: Bill Search

Is it a good idea to have all of our small groups studying the same thing at the same time?

Bill Search responds in our Q & A discussion.

by Bill Search responds in our Q & A discussion.

Topics:	Campaign, Curriculum, Host model, Study
Filters:	Director, Pastor, Start
Purpose:	Discipleship
References:	2 Timothy 2:15
Date Added:	October 19, 2009

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Total Reader Responses: 1 (see below)

Small-group strategies are diverse across the country (and world). Some are based on relational affinity; others are focused on spiritual growth through intense study. There are a few strategies out there that focus on groups that share a mission or common hobbies or interests. So the strategy of your small-group ministry should be taken into consideration before you encourage all of your groups to take up the same study.

For instance, if you have a number of seeker small groups in your church, you may not want to encourage these groups to talk about the same thing that a group of believers dives into. However, for the majority of churches with a common affinity or study culture, coming together from time to time to study the same thing at the same time can yield great power.

So why would you want to go through all the work of getting all your groups on the same page? First, it's often an incredible growth engine. Every time a church I've worked with has done an all-church "campaign," as it's often called, new people have joined groups. After all, if the whole church is going through the same study, suddenly people not already in a group have an incentive to get in a group and not be left out.

The campaign also provides a catalytic spiritual growth opportunity. When everyone in every group is discussing the same thing, it can create a church-wide conversation. People share with other friends in the hallways of church what they are learning in their groups. Instead of sharing the insight of 10 or 12 friends, you now can share the insight of potentially hundreds of people. It is an excellent way of drilling a topic deeper into the life of a church.

Of course, this leads to the question "What should we discuss?" No one can answer this for you and your church. The topic needs to be important to your church and presented in an interesting way. If Rick Warren had encouraged churches to talk about five important themes in your spiritual life, few would have signed up. But by asking the intriguing question "What on Earth am I here for?" in The Purpose Driven Life, people signed up in droves. Since you can't pull this off more than twice year, make sure you pick the most important themes that will impact your church.

Finally, in my experience the best time to pull off an all-church campaign is in the fall. Students are back in school, life has returned to some form of "normal," and we are often ready to get back to our spiritual focus after summer vacation. To be precise, middle to late September—or even early October—are better launch periods. The next best time for an all-church campaign is late January. Give yourself enough time to get the message out after Christmas (since few will be listening during Christmas and New Years).

Focusing your groups together a few times a year is an exciting and rewarding challenge. Give it a try, and it just might change your ministry!

Posted: October 26, 2009

Jessica Holmes (Registered User)

Another time I have seen work well for a all-church campaign is for the Lenten season. It worked very well for a group of churches who teamed together to be studying the same things for those six weeks. I remember discussing with my co-workers (who attended one of other churches doing the same study) at work about our discussions in our small group as well as the messages on Sunday mornings and how the pastors spoke on the same thing similarly and differently.