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HOUSE FELLOWSHIP & SMALL GROUP TRAINING

DEFINITIONS
SMALL GROUP
A Small Group is an intentional gathering, meeting regularly for the purpose of joining
God’s mission.

Let’s break this down. A Small Group

 is an intentional gathering. This group of people agree to share life together. They plan
where and when to meet and arrange their schedules to be there. They have a purpose for
getting together.
 meets regularly. A small group has a regular meeting time and schedule. The groups
know when to expect their next gathering.
 for the purpose of joining God’s mission. People in small groups desire to be formed as
Christ’s disciples and as such they will naturally join in God’s mission.

What is House Fellowship?

Acts 2:46
“ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread
from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart”

1. House Fellowship means church

in the house. This connotes taking the church to the people in their house.
This was practiced in the first church and it is even more relevant in our
contemporary lives.

2. This means that we should

prepare for House Fellowship the way we prepare for church. We should
have this at the back of our mind. The goal of House Fellowship is to
become a church
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A H/F & A S/G

None ------Venue or location

DIFFERENT MODELS OF H/F or S/G

The idea of Small Groups or H/F did not begin with us. It is as old as the
beginning of human existence
Adam & Eve. ----Gen 2:18” It is not good for man to be alone”

Noah & His Family Gen 7:7” And Noah went in and his sons, his wife, and his sons wives with him,
into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.

Abraham Gen 12:4-5-Abraham, Sarai, Lot & Lots wife.

Moses Exo18:14-26. Jethros advice to Moses following his failed attempts to manage the millions
of Israelites that came out of Egypt.

Jesus Feeding of 5000 –Mark 6:37-42

Book of Acts.

Cell Model or Strategy

Interest Based Model

Sermon Based Model

Facts on Models

Every small group model, system, or strategy comes with a unique set of advantages and
disadvantages- NONE IS PROBLEM FREE. Some make it easier to find leaders, some make it easier
to connect, some are better at making disciples etc

The model or strategy you choose should be predetermined by what you hope to accomplish-

The business you are in, ---make disciples, connect adults, help adults connect with their neighbors

The customer you want to serve,

What you call success.

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BENEFITS OF HOUSE FELLOWSHIP

1. LIFE CHANGE HAPPENS BEST IN SMALL GROUPS. You might have a killer weekend worship service
with powerful teaching and inspiring worship, but you still need to know that “the optimal environment
for life-change is a small group” because life change happens best in circles, not rows.

2. SMALL GROUPS MAKE CHURCHES PERSONAL. Whether your church averages 150 or 1,500, if I can
slip into a back row and then leave immediately after the service without personal interaction…bonding
becomes impossible.

3. SMALL GROUPS PROVIDE A NEARLY UNLIMITED LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE. It is a fact

that the crowd that joins you on special programme like our Cross-Over Night, Mens Dinner, and
Valentine Banquet etc… are full of potential leaders? Also, there are much potential in the church
currently but there is no room for expression in the church service. Small group is an antidote to this.

4. “COME OVER TO MY HOUSE” IS A MUCH EASIER INVITATION THAN "COME WITH ME TO CHURCH.”
There certainly was a time when an invitation to “come with me to church” was welcomed and even
expected, those days are gone. What remains? “Come over.”

5. SMALL GROUPS PROVIDE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR ONE-ANOTHERING. If you want to be known
for the way you love one another, you need to emphasize being part of a small group. The idea that I
can receive or give the kind of personal care commanded in the one-anothers while isolating myself
from others isn’t anchored in reality. It is unchristian.

6. SMALL GROUPS CAN PROVIDE A SENSE OF FAMILY FOR MANY WHOSE BIOLOGICAL FAMILY LIVES
FAR AWAY. Unlike generations past, it is increasingly more common for adults to find themselves living
far away from their biological family. Add the growing number of broken homes and dysfunctional
families and you have a snapshot of the 21st century. A small group—the right kind of small group
experience—can play a role in providing a sense of family.

7. I CAN ASK QUESTIONS IN A SMALL GROUP. DIALOGUE IS ONE OF THE KEY INGREDIENTS OF LIFE
CHANGE. If every spiritual experience I have is about listening, if it’s all about one-way communication,
then I’m going to miss one of the most important developmental aspects of a growing faith.

8. SMALL GROUPS MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR MORE PEOPLE TO BE CARED FOR BETWEEN SUNDAYS.
Genuine care is demonstrated when my needs are known without a call to the church office. A network
of small groups provides the delivery system for that kind of care.

9. SMALL GROUPS PROVIDE AN EVER-EXPANDING NETWORK FOR COMMUNICATION AND IMPACT.

This is a huge benefit! There is a vast difference in the response to an announcement from the platform
and a personal invitation. When this network for communication and impact is activated, reach becomes
exponential.
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ROLES OF HOUSE FELLOWSHIP EXECUTIVES

Small-Groups Pastor

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Small-Groups Pastor is responsible for ensuring that the congregation is connecting with
one another and building community through a strong, healthy, and growing small-group
ministry. This includes developing and executing an annual small-groups growth plan,
identifying and recruiting group leaders, developing small-group curriculum, and ongoing
leadership and coaching of group leaders and coaches.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain an annual plan that ensures continuous improvement and growth
of small-group involvement by the congregation.

• Plan and execute regular small-group connection events as a means of bridging the gap
between attractional environments and growth environments.

• Implement methods of recruiting team leaders and small-group participants and

develop processes that ensure a healthy small-groups growth rate over time.

• Function as the overall leader of all Willow Creek small groups, coaching and equipping
small-group leaders in the successful completion of their day-to-day duties and
responsibilities.

• Foster a strong, active, growth- and recruiting-focused network of small-group leaders,

group members, and individuals interested in becoming part of the church’s small-
groups ministry.

• Plan and execute regular small-group leader training and appreciation events, ensuring
the existence of a healthy body of small-group leaders upon which to grow a strong
small-groups ministry.

• Create promotional materials and communication methods that ensure everyone at the
church is aware of the small-groups ministry area, its purpose and importance, and how
to get connected.
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• Identify, develop, and/or select small-group curriculum and other small-group study
materials and tools.

• Drive and coordinate periodic book series/corporate small-group campaigns in

conjunction with the church’s weekend services.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A COACH

Small group coaching is one of the most important roles in the health and vitality of a small
group.. Therefore, the qualifications for becoming a small group coach are continuing in nature;
a coach must continue to exhibit the qualifications during the course of his or her time in
leadership. In general, small group coaches:

GROW. A coach encourages and helps leaders cultivate the disciplines of Bible study, prayer,
and accountability to increase understanding of the Word and a vital relationship with God. A
coach is committed to the principles of Small Groups discipleship. A coach consistently and
creatively casts vision and instills in group leaders the core values of El-Shaddai Covenant
Ministries. A coach commits himself or herself to continuous growth in leadership skills by
attending leadership trainings and required leadership meetings.

CONNECT. Through a weekly meeting and connection one-on-one or in groups, a coach

invests in three or four group leaders to inspire them to become fully devoted small group
leaders. A coach occasionally visits groups to cast vision, encourage leaders and members, and
provide feedback to leaders. A coach maintains connection with, responsiveness to, and
accountability with a senior coach or staff person.

SERVE. A coach aids group members in discovering, developing, and employing their spiritual
gifts, purpose in life and groom them on the path of excellence. A coach may interview and
approve potential apprentices in the group. A coach is the primary “problem solver” for issues
arising in the group. A coach equips one or more group leaders to step into small group
coaching.

SHARE. A coach equips and challenges group leaders to be able to share their testimony and
the Gospel Message with others. A coach cultivates in group leaders a heart for unbelievers.

o Leading groups under him/her according to instructions

o Supervises Group Leaders’ activities but must allow them to function in their capacity.
o He/She must ensure that weekly report of activities are submitted to him for onward
submission to small group Coordinator.
o A coach must ensure that he/she meets with the leaders of all group under him at least
once in a month.
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o He/She is the spiritual compass of the group leaders and must ensure that all group
leaders are in the right direction by calling them at least once in a week to ask for their
welfare and most especially spiritual welfare and group performance. He may ask
question like :

 Did you observe your quiet time today?

 What passage of the Bible d’you read today and so on?
 He/She must ensure that the EACH GROUP MEETS REGULARLY.
 He/ She must encourage Leaders to give document Testimonies of members in their
group.
 He/ She must ensure that Attendance Book is well kept and up to date.
DUTIES OF GROUP LEADERS
1. Leading of the group according to instructions
2. Coordination group activities but must allow others executives to coordinate too
3. He/She must ensure that all officers in the group are alive to their duties.
4. He/She is the spiritual compass of the group and must ensure that all group members are in
the right direction by calling them at least once in a week to ask for their welfare and most
especially spiritual welfare. ?s like, did you observe your quiet time today? What passage of
the Bible d’you read today and so on?
5. He/She must ensure that the GROUP MEETS REGULARLY.
6. He/She also must ensure that all REPORT OF EVERY GROUP MEETING GET TO THE
APPROPRIATE QUARTERS ON TIME AND WITH NECESSARY DETAILS SUBMITTED.
7. He/ She challenge spiritual partners to be alive to their duties particularly when they did not
come for the meeting.
8. He/ She must encourage Members to give Testimony and document it. This could be needed
to be shared in the church later
9. He/ She must ensure that Attendance Book is well kept and up to date.

QUALITIES OF A GROUP LEADER / COACH.

1. HE MUST BE PRAYERFUL
2. HE MUST OBSERVE HIS QUIET TIME FAITHFULLY RO ASPIRE TO DO SO.
3. HE MUST BE BOLD AND CONFIDENT
4. HE MUST DEVELOP GREAT APPETITE FOR LEARNING AND GROWING
5. HE MUST BE CARING AND SWIFT TO TAKE ACTION THAT HAS TO DO WITH WELFARE OF HIS/HER
MEMBERS.
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House Fellowship or Small Group Leader

3. Get the discussion going- not to

teach, preach or analyze the question
4. Ask questions that will engage
members in discussion
5. Keep the discussion on the topic,
by bringing the topic back in different forms
6. Summarize at the end of the
discussion
7. Make sure the discussion ends
on time
8. Help develop leaders in the H/F
through participation
9. Visit and pray for new
members/deliveries/sick e.t.c
10. Attend review meetings on every
3rd Sundays of the month
11.Follow-up of new members that come from the community

Assistant House Fellowship or Small Group Leader

11. Support house fellowship leaders

12. Pray silently during discussion
13. May not necessarily air his/her
opinion when the opinion is sought
14. To perform all the functions of
House Fellowship leader when he/she is not around
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15. To double as the secretary of the

house fellowship. Keep the names and address of members.
16. Lead House Fellowship once a month
16. Welfare officer
17. Welcome the guests/members
as they arrive
18. Setting up of chairs
19. Provide Bible to members or
guests who don’t have
20. Remember names and addresses
of guests if possible
21. He/she is in-charge of general
welfare of the entire House Fellowship members
22. He/she is also to lead all follow-
up activities in the house fellowship. This will help to know the various
challenges being faced by members and how to address them

Prayer leader

23. He is in charge of intercession for

House Fellowship members and the church
24. He is to organize prayer meeting
as and when due

Praise leader

25. In-charge of praise and worship

26. To spot and develop potential
talents in the H/F for choir

Financial secretary/ treasurer

27. In-charge of offerings and

remission of offering to the church
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28. Keeping the financial record of

the House Fellowship

Children leader

29. In charge of children’s welfare

30. Training of children

7 Ways to Close the Backdoor of the church

Matthew 25:31(the sheep and the goats)

(42) for I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave
me nothing to drink,(43) I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed
clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison you did not look after
me

(44) ‘’They also will answer, ‘ Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a
stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’’ (45) ‘’ He
will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of
these, you did not do for me.’’

* Stranger Needs Invitation

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* Naked, Deprived, needs cloth & Human Covering (love ,care)

* Sick people who just give birth needs look after/care/visitation

* Hungry, needs Food, thirsty needs water

If you do it, the church/ fellowship will grow and to God it is a service to Him and
He is a rewarder of those that diligently serve Him.

Your character outside the church speaks volume about you and the church. It
can invite people or repel them from you, Your H/F and the church at large. At
house fellowship level, we are the gate keeper of the church because we are the
eyes, ears, mouth and the grassroots people.

Remember, in church members are known by numbers whereas in House

Fellowship they are known by name. Let us discuss how we can close the
backdoor of the church.

It is incredibly easy for a growing church to appear healthy while leaving bruised
and battered people in its wake. This is because if you subtract 20% back-door
rate from 40% visitor connection rate, you are left with 20% growth rate which
means healthy!

It is no news to see many churches who have had the same attendance for years,
but the faces are constantly changing. Where did they all go? It is natural to think
that may be they have just found another church that ‘’met their need’’

People stop coming to church for many reasons, but the biggest factors are the
lack of close relationships and the lack of meaningful service. This situation opens
the door to a perception among unconnected people that the leaders are
apathetic towards their situation. Identifying the factor is the easy part.

1 .MEASURE WHAT IS MEASURABLE

While worship attendance is hard to capture, adults small group classes are
relatively simple. Children’s activities are the simplest of all since security issues
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requires us to keep accurate records anyway. So, measure what you can
measure. Keep good records of all your members and potential members.

2 CATCH PEOPLE ON THEIR WAY OUT OF THE DOOR

One of the fundamental mistakes that I see churches make is to focus on what
has happened in the past. It is not that looking back has no value, it just won’t
help you get anyone back. Gone is gone! Think of it this way. If someone gets
upset at you, recognize that they are about to leave, you can intervene and
smooth the situation. It takes a person four weeks to move from ‘’I don’t think
the church does care about me’’ to ‘’I know the church does not care about
me’’. Catch them on their way out and this can be prevented

31. KNOW WHO YOU EXPECT TO

ATTEND
32. In order to know who was not in
attendance, you have to know who was supposed to be in attendance.
This sounds simple but it is often counter to the way the churches have
kept their records for years. This means that you are going to have to do
some work to keep your record clean enough to know the difference.
33. USE THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO
REACH OUT TO THEM
34. In a group setting, sometimes
the problem is a disconnect between the group itself and the person who
is leaving. In this situation , the group leader is not in the position to help
the person who is leaving. Use the strongest member of the fellowship to
that person to do the rescue operation.
35. FOCUS ON FAMILIES
36. For the most part children do not
attend church on their own. So if little Johnny has not been to four-year-
old Sunday school class in three weeks, it is a very safe assumption that
Mom and Dad have not been there, either. Since it is much easier to track
children and students, use that information to prompt your efforts toward
the families of those kids. This is particularly true of a family where the
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parents are not active in any area than worship. Let the fellowship try to
reconnect the individual….
37. BUILD RETENTION MECHANISM
AND PROCESSES.
38. Mechanisms are just ways to find
out who is leaving. This can be in the form of reports from your
attendance records. It can also be from feedback from people in the
fellowship. Your processes are the methods you put in place to make sure
that those who are identified are contacted and assisted. This might
include phone calls, e-mails, letters, texts, Facebook notes or any other
method of communication that would be effective. These contacts have
to be personal. No matter the form of communication used, sincerity and
authenticity will be of the utmost importance
39. THINK FOR THE CHURCH, ACT
FOR THE CHURCH
40. Another way to close the back
door of the church is for individuals to think for the church progress and
act on behalf of the church to fix any problem identified. E.g someone is
sick and you know, visit the person first if possible with some other
members that you can reach and let him/her know that you represent the
church. Only then, you can report upward and feed the leader about what
you have done. Many people step on information and feed the leader
dissociating them from the task.
41.
42. PROGRAM OF HOUSE
FELLOWSHIP
43. Monthly
44. 1st Sundays of the month :
Teaching
45. 2nd Sundays of the month : Core
Meeting/ Prayer
46. 3rd Sundays of the month :
Teaching
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47. 4th Sundays of the month :

Evangelism
48. 5th Sundays of the month : Love
feast/ Birthday celebration
49.
50. H/F Order of program
51. Opening prayer : 5mins
52. Praise & worship: 10mins
53. Testimonies :5mins
54. Studies : 30mins
55. Prayer points : 5mins
56. Offering : 5mins
57. Announcement : 5mins (1hr
5mins)
58.
59. TIME MANAGEMENT FOR
HOUSE FELLOWSHIP
60. Pre-plan your meeting
61. Teaching should be simple
62. Avoid strong doctrinal issues
63. Should have flow and sequence
64. Encourage contribution. Do not
turn teaching to monologue
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GUIDELINES FOR HOSTING A HOUSE FELLOWSHIP

65. Discourage Non- Participation:

66. On no account must they be
cooking, sleeping, watching, watching TV, eating, entertaining guest(s), or
attending to others during house fellowship time, this attitude is
tantamount to despising the fellowship members and the fellowship
67.
68. Venue must be ready and neat:
69. The venue must always be ready
before meeting starts. It is not proper for members to come and start
parking toys, newspapers, plates, sweeping etc. The house fellowship
leader can delegate a member to ensure that this is done.
70.
71. Venue must be comfortable:
72. The venue must be comfortable.
The surrounding must be kept neat. The rooms must not be hot, stuffy or
congested. Ensure the lighting is adequate, ensure a conducive
atmosphere.
73.
74. Sitting arrangement:
75. In the sitting of the members, it
is important that each person be able to see all the other members of the
group. Avoid some people sitting behind others. The arrangement tends
to create a feeling of openness and freedom that will encourage
participation.
76.
77. Make contingency plan:
78. Keep an extra chair or two for
someone who may come late or a visitor who has been invited to the
group.
79.
80. Make provision for children:
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81. Another room or balcony should

be provided for children. Children don’t fit into small groups. Even the
best behaved may be a distraction, and there are some personal issues
that will be unhealthy to discuss when children are present. Group
members may turn to care for the children.
82.
83. Refreshment:
84. Light refreshment can be
included, they help people unwind and feel welcome.
85.
86. Banner display:
87. Display a banner-indicating that
a house fellowship centre is in the premises.
88.
89.
90.
ABC OF 1ST MEETING

THE ABCs OF A GREAT START (For Your Connection Group)

A. PREPARING FOR YOUR FIRST MEETING.

Call your group members this week. Don’t just leave a voice mail message. At this stage,
personal contact is critical.
Enlist someone to help you make the calls. Increased buy-in is important.
Ask each person to bring something (cokes, chips, etc.). This cements their attendance. They’re
much more likely to show if you’re depending on them.
When you call them your enthusiasm is very important. Get yourself ready to call.

B. FIRST MEETING

Start your group off with an informal “meet and greet” session. The agenda for this meeting is
all about helping people feel relaxed and comfortable with the other members of their new
group.
Make a map to your house and send this out a week ahead of time.
Call each person AGAIN a couple of days before the meeting to encourage them.
Have nametags and markers ready at the door. Arrange for an uninterrupted session (i.e.,
childcare needs, food prepared in advance, etc.).
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Discuss the group’s covenant. This is an important step. Don’t miss it. This can be done at the
“meet and greet” or at the next meeting (when anyone new joins the group later the covenant
should be reviewed).
Set a date and place for the next meeting before you dismiss.

C. MEETING FOLLOW-UP

Call or touch base with each person who attended the meeting to encourage them. This extra
step helps them to continue to forge a relationship with you. Look for them at church. Any
contact in between meetings will help cement them to their new group.

Call all of your new group members a couple days before your next meeting. Don’t assume that
they’ll remember. They need your encouragement.

How to Lead Small Group Effectively.

Leading a small group discussion is very different from lecturing in a
class. In a small group study the leader acts as a moderator of the
discussion while others do the talking
Good preparation is necessary
Read your materials over and over again and internalize it till you know
the specific objective of the study
Pray over your materials
First answer the questions yourself
Keep the discussion on the topic or theme of the lesson. If the discussion
seems to wander, bring it back on course by asking a question or saying
something like this, ‘’That’s an interesting point, but let’s focus our
discussion on the main idea here’’
Encourage everyone to participate. Ask questions, seek opinions, draw
out applications and conclusion from the group. Encourage the shy
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members to contribute. Be sensitive; don’t embarrass those who are less

inclined to participate.
Periodically, restate and summarize the point discussed. Seek to isolate
the most important concern of the group members and focus discussion
on application of the lesson to these needs.
Be free with compliments. Encourage participation by expressing
appreciation for the contribution made.
Handle wrong statement with caution. When a person makes an incorrect
statement, tactfully lead the discussion to show a better, preferable, or
more correct position. Don’t embarrass the one who erred. If the matter
can’t be dealt with in a class without embarrassment, talk to the individual
personally outside class

10 Encourage group members to go beyond theological phrases. Ask for

explanations of theological terminology. Seek to state clinches in other ways to
ensure that the members understand what is being said.

11 Ask for interpretation, conclusions, and application of the lesson that will
make them meaningful to the individuals. Where possible, help members to
practice what they learn.

12 Encourage leaders to prepare the lesson in their bulletin prior to the group
meetings. In this way, the discussion will be most profitable for everyone.
Combine discussion with questions and answers.

13 Ask probing questions. Jesus used the question and answer method most
effectively to gain attention, stir thinking, clarify or illustrate truth, and apply the
lesson He taught.

‘’Ask good questions and you will get good answers’’ is a bit of good advice on
the matter. Good questions are not open-ended or pointless, they are purposeful
and practical. Questions should point back to basic truths for answers.

Questions should be clear and to the point. ‘’who’’ ‘’what’’ ‘’where’’ ‘’how’’ and
‘’why’’ are more thought provoking because they stimulate reasoning and
assessment. Learn to answer some questions with questions to provoke the
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inquirer to think through some things. Make members think. Avoid questions with
‘’Yes’’ or ‘’No’’ answers.

14. It is okay to have some silence during discussion. Even a short silence may feel
uncomfortable but it can also give opportunity to think through on how to answer
the questions

15. If one or two people tend to do all the talking, look for ways to encourage
others to speak as well. E.g you may say; there are some of us who have not
contributed yet, this question is for you.

16. It is good when people can open up and share things that are important to
them. As a group leader, you set an example of sharing that will encourage others
to do the same.

17. Often when people share, they are not looking for people to listen, they are
generally looking for advice in a small group setting.

18. Group leaders should be listeners, not lecturers. Rather than them speaking,
they should make it easier for others to speak.

Hosting Effective House Fellowship

The overall purpose of house fellowship is to fulfill the Vision of the ministries
which is to Reach people with the gospel

Reinforce Relationship among members,

Raise Leaders and

Realize destinies of house fellowship members through relationships.

------> ideal house fellowship size: E.g -12 disciples of Jesus Christ

MAKING FRIENDS: to develop lasting relationship within the body of Christ.

It has been said that people come to church for many reasons but they stay there
for only one that they make friends. ‘’extra ordinary friendship is formed during
house fellowship meetings”

HOW ?
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The house fellowship leader,, assistant and other officers must get to know each
person in the house fellowship very well. It is important to know the names of
your House Fellowship members and where they live and work as their leaders.
Members too should be encouraged to do likewise.

Play The Name Game

This could be done by adding something interesting/profession to the name of
the person. E.g Architect Wale, Barrister John, Doctor Samuel e.t.c. This provides
additional info about the person and promotes his or her profession too.

House Fellowship Settings

91. Make every House Fellowship

Meetings inviting and lively. It should not be a monologue but discussion
session. House Fellowship Leaders or Assistant must encourage
conversation.
92. Sometimes, you can choose to
celebrate a members special days with refreshment to make the gathering
informal but highly spiritual.
93. Good House Fellowship Leaders,
Assistant or H/F executives should be sociable, open and able to relate
with people outside the church.

Discussion.

94. House Fellowship Meeting is

designed to discuss the message of the day and the issues or question
around the topic. It is vital to give people the opportunity to respond to
what they have heard and ask question. This is especially the case of
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House Fellowship Centre where those that are yet to give their lives to
Christ are predominant

How To Have A Good Group Discussion

95. Practical details are very

important
96. The chairs should be arranged so
that everyone is comfortable and can see one another.
97. Light and ventilation must be
good. Darkness and dim light should be discouraged.
98. Everyone should have access to a
modern translation of the Bible
A good House Fellowship Leader or Assistant keep the discussion on track
and keep to time. No matter how exciting the discussion may be…he
should say, ‘let’s continue this next week’’. This will encourage members
to return to continue the debate. If discussion is too long, people won’t
come back next meeting. They might lose interest.

Enemy of Small Group

Ineffective Leaders: Not prepared or doing all the talking alone

(preacher/teacher).
Advice- allow another person to contribute.
Over-Dominant Leaders: Does all the talking instead of giving others the
freedom to speak or say what is on their mind.
Good Discussion: art of asking questions to express their opinions
Good Leaders: must allow members or guests to ask questions or express
their opinions. No answer is right or wrong, members or guests might feel
condemned, not show up again or speak again if condemned.
Two Basic Questions to Ask
What do you think?
What do you feel?
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Answers to possible questions should have been prepared by leaders

before the House Fellowship session
Leaders must be ready to answer questions on certain issues that will be
raised by members or guests. (controversial questions).
Rule 1: no one talks twice when some have not spoken

Good Leaders Must Be An Encourager.

By smiling at members/guests. Be friendly not shy.

By showing interest in what each person is saying. Even if someone says
something that is not correct, a good leader will respond with a phrase
like: ‘How interesting’ or ‘I have never heard that before’ or ‘it might
mean that’ and will then bring in the rest members to reach the right
conclusion.
To learn to pray together. This is very important particularly in a centre
predominately dominated by non-Christian or guest. Because the goal of
the House Fellowship is to reach out to guests not saved or non-Christian
who may not be used to prayer and religious activities. This area must be
handled with sensitivity particularly when you may have guests who are
non- Christians in your midst.
RULES
If House Fellowship Leaders or Assistant wants somebody to lead prayer,
they must ask the fellows before meetings so that the person has the
opportunity to decline, if he is afraid or intimidated (wait till they are
ready). How daunted or frightened the un-churched may be when asked to
perform simple tasks publicly
Keep all prayers short and straight to the point. Long eloquent prayers
may be impressive but they discourage others from praying.
To Model Bible Study: Another aim of the house fellowship is for leaders
to study Bible/message together and grow in knowledge.

If you study Bible:

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Give a brief introduction to context used in the passage-e.g. Phillippians.

This book was written by Paul in prison-background of the book
Explain where verses are in the Bible- Esther in Old Testament
Don’t ask someone to read without check before hand, the leader should
read the passage carefully in different versions or make sure he
understands it. Spot difficult verses and look for explanation in a
commentary in order to avoid wasting time of fellowship in endless
discussion.
Leaders should not preach or teach but get everyone to talk
Leaders should avoid using Christian jargons which non- Christian and new
Christian cannot understand
To train others to become leaders. Raising leaders. This happens when
people are trained.

Picture of House Fellowship Centre

6-12 Members. Any house fellowship above 12 is ripe for splitting into two

Practical Details of Facilitation

People must seat in such a way that they are able to see or hear each
other in a circle.
People of the same language must sit together
Keep discussion to the time
Leader must encourage balanced participation

Throwing a ball (practical example)

Leader throws up and catches it by himself (talking to himself)

Leader throws it back and forward to only one person in the group (One-
on-One discussion)
Everybody throw it to the leader. (Everyone talking to leader)
Everybody throw the ball to everybody i.e ball goes around (Real
discussion
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QUALITIES OF A GOOD LEADER

For leaders to become successful they must acquire, develop and excel in
the following qualities
PURPOSE (A SENSE OF PURPOSE)
What is the intention of God when He created you?
What problem where you created to solve in life?
To be a successful leader, you must discover and pursue your purpose.

Jesus knew His purpose. ‘’ for this purpose was He manifested to destroy
all the works of the devil’’ John 3:8

Acts 10:38 – ‘’how God anointed Jesus with the Holy Ghost and power
who went about doing good and healing those that were oppressed by
the devil for God was with him’’
99.
Jesus had a lot of problem and distraction but He refused to let His focus
to be broken
HIS FAMILY
Mark 3:30 – He was preaching and His mother, brothers and sisters sent
for Him. He replied whosoever will do the will of God is my mother,
brother and sister.
MULTITUDE (HIS FANS)
They were so excited and carried away by His miracles that they wanted
to crown Him King. He neatly avoided them knowing fully well that is not
what He came to do on earth. He came to save us from sins by dying on
the cross not by wearing a man-made crown.
Distraction/ Misleading Words from fans:
 24

‘’your anointing is too much even the pastor can’t perform like you, start
your own church/ministry. ‘’Be careful, don’t let them give you a crown
that is not your own.
Opponents’ Distraction/Criticism:
Pharisees/ critics will be there to oppose you. He is using witchcraft
(Beelzebub)’’. That is why Jesus said ‘’your eyes be single’’ Mt 6:22.
Discovery of purpose and knowledge will keep you focused.

GET YOUR PRIORITY RIGHT

You must understand one fact that to be a successful spiritual leader you
must fast and pray. A ministry without prayer and fasting will:
Lack the energy and creativity to continue
It will degenerate into social activity
Prayer-taking a clue from Jesus- all night/early morning was strong on His
priority list.
Mary and Martha- remember Jesus told Martha ‘’Mary has chosen the
good part and shall not be taken from her’’

As a leader, your prayer time must not be compromised. In

addition, you must have regular time of prayer and fasting which
could be weekly, monthly or annually.

FOLLOW PROCEDURE
As a leader, one quality you must develop and excel is the ability to follow
procedures i.e laid down method of doing things.
Pentecostal: new age Christians lack organization, discipline and
preparedness
We often say that the spirit is leading me, whereas in the world system
there are laid down procedures of doing things e.g to appeal to a court
system there are procedures, rules and guidelines to follow.
God believes in procedures/pattern- He told Moses
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Heb 8:5, do it according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.

Every local church has a pattern and God has a pattern He has shown to
the leadership of every local church concerning their development.
Application:
Follow procedures
It is important for every House Fellowship leader to follow the pattern the
senior pastor and leaders have laid down. Don’t do your own thing it only
leads to confusion
Reports
So, when you are told to fill reports, follow the meeting format please,
comply. All these are done with set goals and objectives in mind i.e. so
that a quick understanding of problem areas can be quickly attended to.
HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HUMAN PERSONALITIES
To be successful house fellowship leadership, you must be trained to
identify and understand the 4 basic personalities within your group.
Choleric: easily irritated i.e. inclined to anger (poor sense of humor)
Sanguine: cheerful, optimistic, hopeful, confident, warm, lively
Phlegmatic: sluggish, dull, apathetic, calm, cool, nothing moves them
Melancholy: gloomy, dejected, depressed etc
100.
With the knowledge of these temperaments, you will know their
weakness, strong areas and therefore know how to relate with them. Even
you as the house fellowship leader with this information, you will also
know yourself. This helps you to know how to get on easily with people.
BE A PRODUCER OF LEADERS
House fellowship must be motivated to produce other leaders through the
principle of 12, they will be taught how to:
Isolate faithful men and women who can be their assistants
How to pour their lives into those 12 members
How to coach and mentor them into fruitfulness
BE PRINCIPLED
A house fellowship leader must be a principled person. He/she must have
rules or code of conduct, values such as commitment, honesty, good
 26

lifestyle and purity helps him to build a straight life and maintain a good
testimony. Leaders must be taught about:
Their motives
Their integrity
Priority of family over ministry
LEADERS MUST BE PRODUCTIVE
Activity is not necessarily achievement. God has not called us to life of
struggle but to life of fulfillment. That is to say, house fellowship leaders
must work for results/fruits. There is no point being leafy but fruitiness,
having an appearance of being productive, just being busy over nothing.
E.g fig tree.
How to become fruitful /productive
Learn to set goals (long /short range)
Develop personal motivations
Learn how to communicate
Learn how to delegate

Know the principle of reward 1 cor. 15:58

KNOW HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEMS

A successful leader must know how to attack a problem without adding or
compounding it. He must confront every problem without denying its realities.

SKILLS TO SOLVING PROBLEM

Intuition: The power of knowing and understanding something

immediately without reasoning or being taught. It is something harken to
the spiritual gift of word of knowledge and wisdom. You just have a
knowledge about things even though you can’t explain it. The obvious is
that to really operate this gift without making mistakes or causing
disaster, you must be prayerful. Note: it is not a gift of suspicion.
 27

Investigation: ability to carefully examine a matter systematically. Being

able to make inquiring about the character of people and about the
reason for something. In the cause of investigating a matter, don’t fall into
the temptation of being a gossip or tale bearer thereby compounding the
problem.
Input: ability to contribute useful ideas to getting the problem solved
Initiative: be able to use your initiative i.e. power or ability to make good
decision and take wise actions without help from someone else.
Evaluation: that is to find out or determine the worth of something, an
appraisal of the problem.
In addition to solving personal problems, leaders must know how to deal
with children within the house. Delegate responsibilities to avoid being
confused. Be aware of spiritual problems that may surface e.g greed, lust,
and pride.
Every house fellowship leader should be able to apply his training in the
scriptures to handle basic counseling situation that may arise among
family members, such family matters may include: finance, domestic
abuse, destructive habits, and volatile emotions.
The house fellowship even though he does not provide in-depth
counseling is able to give the first line treatment (first aid). They are not to
give pastoral counseling but pastoral care. Their supervisors should be
able to refer individual cases those with greater experience/gifting
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101.