Learn the Principles: The Book

Some churches’ small group ministries thrive and grow, while other churches—that try just as hard—have group ministries that struggle and stagnate. Why?

Jim Egli and Dwight Marable set out to answer that question. They wanted to help churches across the country and around the world grow vibrant small groups that continually multiply leadership and reach an expanding number of people for Christ. Their quest turned into a massive research project involving over 3000 small groups in more than 200 churches.

Proven principles for small group growth

Some of Jim and Dwight’s discoveries were predictable, others were surprising. All of them were extremely simple and practical.

Their research focused on two primary levels—the small group leader level and the church level. On the first level, they asked and discovered answers to the question: Why do some small groups grow while others—in the same church and similar settings—don’t? On the church level, they sought the answer to the question: Why do some churches have vibrant growing group ministries, while other churches’ groups fall flat?

They discovered four key small group leadership principles and three pivotal church factors. Their research results are revealed in their book Small Groups, Big Impact available from ChurchSmart Resources.

You can read a sample portion of the book here.

Take It to the Next Level: The Assessment

For churches wanting to improve the health and growth of their small group ministry, we highly recommend the Small Groups, Big Impact Ministry Assessment. Based on the extensive research of the SGBI project, it gives you a scientifically valid reading of your small group system on three levels, revealing:

• The strengths and weaknesses of every small group in the four areas of small group health

• The level of proactive coaching taking place within each team or coaching unit of your small group ministry

• The health of your overall small group ministry in all ten measures

  • The three growth outcomes: Conversion Growth, Assimilation, and Group Multiplication
  • The four small group health measures: Pray, Reach, Care, and Empower
  • The three church factors: Intercede, Coach, and Equip

Additionally, the assessment gives you tools, customized recommendations, and suggested resources to help your small group ministry go to the next level of growth in the months ahead.

Watch the video below as co-author Jim Egli talks about Small Groups, Big Impact.

Sample reports

To get an idea of what you can expect from the assessment reports, follow these links:

• Sample SGBI Church Report

• Sample SGBI Coach Report

• Sample SGBI Small Group Leader Report

  • Strong group
  • Average group
  • Weak group