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: How to Lead Small Groups by McBride
Experiencing God Workbook by Henry Blackaby
Additional Graduate Text Book: How to Make Small Groups Work by Cloud and Townsend
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Lesson 5: Qualifications of Leaders
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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. Do additional reserach on this type of group and cite at least 3 references other than the Bible.
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 citing at least 3 additional references other than the Bible.
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.
Book: How to Lead Small Groups by Neal F. McBride $12.95
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.
Book: Experiencing God Workbook by Henry Blackaby $24.95
For more than 15 years, God has used Experiencing God in His work, showing believers how to know Him intimately while encouraging them to step out in faith and join Him in His work with miraculous results. Revised Member Book has been updated with new illustration and testimonial content that demonstrates how this study contributed to some truly miraculous results.
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.
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