Bob Mimiaga

As someone who loves to play golf, but who is not necessarily good at it, I also enjoy watching 'how it’s really done' by the pro golfers on the PGA tournaments. Most of you might agree that one of the best all-time golfers in the game is Tiger Woods. As I watch him play incredible golf and win tournament after tournament I often wonder what is a ‘Win’ for Tiger? Well, it’s not the incredible 30 foot putts or the 300 plus yard drives, but a combination of all those things and more to achieve the lowest score in a given tournament. That’s a ‘Win’ for Tiger, to get the lowest score!

As a leader of your small group it’s good to stop every once in a while and ask ourselves the same question. “What is a ‘Win’ for you as you lead your group members?" Is it the fellowship that your group members enjoy when they meet, or training your group members to be more knowledgeable through a series of bible-based studies, or maybe helping them to share their faith more effectively?

Well the easiest way to answer this question is to refer to our New Hope’s Small Group Ministry vision;

“To bring our entire church into Christian fellowship, to disciple them and equip them for serving, and encourage them to share their faith in a practical way through a life of worship, resulting in a demonstration of Christ-like love as a small group community.’

Can you identify the primary elements of this vision? A keen eye will spot the five purposes that match our New Hope Church vision. These five purposes are Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, Evangelism, and Worship. Our small group ministry vision provides us with a visualization of small group members that possess a balance of these five purposes as they continue to meet with one another in as a small community. The dynamic result of achieving these practices is a transformation of their lives into the image of Christ. Paul states this principle in his letter to the Ephesians. . .

”. . . to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Eph 4:12-13

Therefore a ‘Win’ for you as a small group leader is bringing your group members to a point in their walk with Christ where they are fulfilling these five purposes someway, somehow in their weekly lives. As a result you will see our Lord work amazingly in their lives to transform them more and more into the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. From my own personal experience as a small group leader I can testify that there is no greater satisfaction then seeing my own group members grow to a greater fullness in Christ!

It must be mentioned that your small group members will experience this positive life change only if you are deliberate in the way you facilitate your group. First of all you need to periodically remind your group members where they are headed. Let them know about the five purposes of our small group ministry and the ultimate goal, which is to transform their hearts and minds. Secondly, as you prepare your small group studies, think about how you will incorporate these five purposes into the study material. It may be in a form of a question which will get the group thinking about how they can better serve others, or share their faith. It may be a discussion on how many ways your group can think to worship God, both corporately and individually. Finally find ways for your group members to ‘live out’ these five purposes through acts of kindness and projects that reflect service, evangelism, and worship. I assure you that if you incorporate these three simple practices into your small group sessions you will come to experience the joy of ‘Winning’ in the greatest game of all, helping build people for Christ!

Your brother in Christ,

Bob Mimiaga
Small Group Pastor

“The Five “Ms” Every Leader Should Know”