Adult Bible Fellowship

“How big should a small group be?”

Ask ten Ministers of Education and ten State Sunday School Directors and you are likely to get thirty different answers. It is one of the fine points of group life that pundits enjoy debating.

For me, the answer is a number that ends in “een”– thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, or nineteen–more or less. (By the way, in this chapter, I am talking average attendance, not enrollment.) Andy Stanley puts the number at twelve. This is a good biblical number. Jesus had twelve in his group, perhaps we should have twelve in ours.

I have seen groups, however, function in a healthy way that were in the twenties and a few in their thirties. Let’s face it, some people like the energy of a larger group.

I have noticed an inverse relationship between the size of the group and the amount of openness and authentic sharing. I was in a group of 4 recently–me, my wife and one couple. Too small by some standards, but we had a very meaningful conversation. Some of the things we talked about likely would not have come up if even one other couple showed up.

When I was a Minister of Education I often started new classes. Sometimes these were not all that well attended. Sometimes, it would just be me and one or two other people. At first, I was disappointed, but over time I learned that sometimes these were the most life-changing small groups I ever led. In a group of three you can really figure out where a person is at and brainstorm ways to get to the next level. Application can be very specific and personal in a group of three.

So, I have seen groups from three to thirty work pretty well. But, there is a whole different model that some churches use that I would invite you to consider. It is the model of Adult Bible Fellowships, or, Mid-sized groups. (By the way, the title, Adult Bible Fellowships is probably a better name than adult Sunday School for many of us, whether or not we follow the philosophy outlined below. Sunday School, for many, speaks of a kids’ organization. Adult Bible Fellowship says it all–Adult [this is not for kids], Bible [it is about studying the Bible], and Fellowship [it is also about fellowship]).

Mid-sized groups have up to ninety in attendance. This is the size of the average size church. There is a reason for this. This is about the number of people that the average person can get to know. It provides for a variety of relational opportunities, yet, given a little time, people can get to know everyone in the same way that in churches of ninety everyone knows everyone.

My friend Steve Lizzo is the one who tuned me into this model. He manages a web page dedicated to informing people about this model. He also speaks regularly on the topic. Here is a quote from his web page about mid-sized groups. (See http://www.abfresources.com )

The Adult Bible Fellowship philosophy of ministry believes “mid-size” Adult Bible Fellowships (ABFs) or communities are the foundational ministry to adults in a church setting. Although there are several other influential ministries to adults such as Men’s and Women’s Ministries, Small Groups, etc. this philosophy believes it is essential to encourage as many adults as possible who attend a church to identify with and become part of an ABF/community. They are “mini-communities” or “mini-congregations” within a congregation. Each ABF is a mix of ages, but normally organized by peer group or similar “life” situations. Others are multi-generational or have some other special interest that draws them together in community. In the context of these communities “body life” takes place. (John 17:20-23; Acts 2:42-47; The “one another” passages of the New Testament; Ephesians 4:12-16; Hebrews 10:24, 25)

Most of ministry to adults flows through these Adult Bible Fellowships/ Communities. Adult Bible Fellowships are the main vehicle in which most of the ministry to adults flows including: fellowship, socials/ activities, small groups, care opportunities, outreach, serving/ministry, assimilation of newcomers, etc. As a result, instead of having separate ministries for small groups, newcomer follow-up, care and fellowship that experience very little communication and/or networking, the church can do a better job of caring for their flock and assimilating new people into the church because “the right hand knows what the left hand is doing.” This synergy multiplies the effectiveness of all the ministries.

Leadership Teams within ABFs are essential to build and care for the group. Each ABF has a class/community leader. It is this leader’s responsibility to organize, lead, and meet regularly with a leadership team that builds “community life.” The team consists of the teacher(s) and those who lead the social & ministry events, caring opportunities, welcome/assimilation, outreach, newsletter, etc. Each ABF/community is “self-governed” so the people within the group decide who will be asked to serve on the leadership team, how many team members there will be, and how long they will serve. The leadership team meets on a regular basis to plan, evaluate, and hold each other accountable for their responsibilities.

Note that there is a level of organization below the level of the mid-sized group. They still have small groups that come out of the mid-sized group. The difference is, in this model, the mid-sized group is central.

In a lot of Sunday Schools, you have a department structure that is, in essence, a mid-sized group. It may have up to ninety in attendance. But, after a brief opening time, participants move to their classes. The classes, or small groups are central.

In the mid-sized group model, we have the opposite. The teaching time is done through a master-teacher. The small groups may meet for a short time of prayer at the end, or may not meet at all. It may be an organizational care unit, or, they may meet during the week. There is a level of organization below the mid-sized group, but the mid-sized group is central.

Josh Hunt. (2001). The Amazing Power of Doubling Groups.