Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 11
Authors' Note 13
Introduction 15
Part 1 The Activate Mindset (or, Paradigm Shifts) 23
Section 1 Rethinking Small Group Methodology 25
Big Idea #1 Think from the Outside In, Not from the Inside Out
Big Idea #2 Think Larger, Not Smaller
Big Idea #3 Think Friends, Not Intimacy
Section 2 Rethinking Small Group Structure 49
Big Idea #4 Think Short Term, Not Long Term
Big Idea #5 Think Promotion Months, Not Ongoing Sign-Ups
Big Idea #6 Think Church of Small Groups, Not Church with Small Groups
Section 3 Rethinking Small Group Strategy 73
Big Idea #7 Think Easy, Not Hard
Big Idea #8 Think Ahead, Not Behind
Big Idea #9 Think Full Staff Participation, Not Staff Specialist
Section 4 Rethinking Small Group Leadership 95
Big Idea #10 Think Apprentice, Not Expert
Big Idea #11 Think Decentralization, Not Staff Control
Big Idea #12 Think Leader Multiplication, Not Group Multiplication
Part 2 The Activate System Introducing the Four FS: Focus, Form, Fill, and Facilitate 113
Section 5 Focusing Your Groups 119
Focus Step #1 Evaluate
Focus Step #2 Set Your Calendar
Focus Step #3 Set Your Goals
Focus Step #4 Set Your Structure
Focus Step #5 Build Your List
Section 6 Forming Your Groups 165
Form Step #1 Make the Big Ask
Form Step #2 Schedule the Team Leader Meeting
Form Step #3 Get Your Groups List Ready
Section 7 Filling Your Groups 189
Fill Factor #1 One-Step Sign-Ups
Fill Factor #2 Teaching on the Power of Groups
Fill Factor #3 Testimonies, Videos, and Dramas
Fill Factor #4 Small Group Table
Fill Factor #5 Targeting Specific Group Types
Fill Factor #6 The Church-Wide Campaign
Fill Factor #7 Emails, Newsletters, and Mailings
Fill Factor #8 Selling the Previously Sold
Fill Factor #9 Promoting Groups to Newcomers
Fill Factor #10 Creating Urgency
Fill Factor #11 No Sign-Up Left Behind
Section 8 Facilitating Your Groups 251
Facilitate Principle #1 Training Group Leaders
Facilitate Principle #2 Structuring the First Group Meeting
Facilitate Principle #3 Conducting Week-to-Week Facilitation
Facilitate Principle #4 Conducting Monthly Facilitation
Facilitate Principle #5 Conducting Semester Facilitation
Conclusion 297
Notes 299