God’s Grace in Small Groups: Creating an Engaging, Relational, and Formative Small Group Ministry in the Methodist Tradition Open Access
Hale, Timothy (Spring 2025)
Abstract
This paper explores the ways that small groups can build community and increase commitment among church members. The Methodist tradition has a long history of small group discipleship. The class meeting of early Methodism provided a way for members to connect with each other and experience accountable discipleship, but the class meeting is virtually nonexistent in modern Methodism. How can that history be revived and lived out in congregations today? This paper reflects on an implementation of a new model for small groups in Floyd United Methodist in Floyd, Virginia. Three new groups were formed for members in the church community to meet together. These small groups used a guide that was developed around the model of the early Methodist class meeting, as well as the tools of appreciative inquiry and asset mapping. In launching these new groups, both new and long-time members of the congregation were able to form new friendships and become more committed disciples of Jesus Christ.
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God’s Grace in Small Groups: Creating an Engaging, Relational, and Formative Small Group Ministry in the Methodist Tradition () | 2025-05-07 12:21:56 -0400 |
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