Table of Contents

Foreword Rick Warren 7

Acknowledgments 10

Introduction: The Purpose of This Book 13

What Is a Healthy and Balanced Small Group?

1 My Story: And What It Has Taught Me about Ministry 17

2 The Saddleback Difference: The Ten Foundations of Saddleback's Small Group Ministry 22

3 What Did We Learn from the Book of Acts? The Paradigm Shift 37

What Does This Look Like?

4 Is Your Vision Blurry? Define Success Clearly 45

5 It All Starts with Community: Build a Foundation for Health and Balance 55

6 Leading for Spiritual Formation: How to Create a Church of Disciples, Not Attendees 71

7 Don't Lead Alone: Mobilize Your Groups from Sitting to Serving 81

8 The Church with No Walls: Opening the Doors of Your Church 102

9 More than Music: Worship in the Life of Your Groups 115

Step-by-Step, How Can I Do This?

10 Spiritual Health Assessment: Living Life on Purpose 127

11 Helping Groups Become Healthier: Provide a Clear Pathway for Members to Follow 148

12 Leadership Matters: Selecting and Recruiting Leaders 155

13 The Road Ahead: Developing a Simple Training Pathway 166

14 Laying the Foundation: Developing an Organizational Infrastructure That Works 177

What Does This Mean for Overall Church Strategy?

15 Sunday School and/or Small Groups: Understanding How Groups Fit into Your Church 191

16 Making the Most of Every Opportunity: How to Increase Connection 204

17 Exponential Power: Unleashing the Force of the Campaign Strategy 213

Do I Have What It Takes?

18 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me: Lessons from My Journey 225

Notes 235