Spring 2005/Pasadena
EV511
Peace
EV511: SMALL GROUP EVANGELISM. Richard Peace.
DESCRIPTION:
- The focus of this course is on a particular means of outreach. In
the course, students will develop the skills necessary both to do small group
evangelism and to train others to do so. In addition, they will come to
understand and experience how small groups function; they will be exposed to
the process of designing and using small group materials, specifically the
process of designing small group outreach programs; and they will develop an
understanding of the various ways in which small groups can be used in the
church.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Currently in the church there is a movement away from traditional
methods of evangelism such as mass evangelism and certain forms of personal
evangelism. The feeling is that in this post-modern environment these
methodologies no longer reach the real outsider. In contrast, the use of small
groups is on the rise in the church, including interest in harnessing this
methodology for evangelism. This course will provide the foundational
information and methods necessary to enable pastors and lay people to
experiment creatively with this powerful form of outreach that connects so well
with this generation.
COURSE FORMAT:
- A mixture of lecture, discussion, inter-active dialogue, analysis
of materials, and small group experience. Each student will be a member of a
small group that will plan and execute a small group outreach event. The small
groups will meet during the class sessions with the exception of the one-time
outreach event. The class will meet twice weekly for two-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Arnold, Jeffrey. Small Group Outreach. InterVarsity Press,
1998.
- Donahue, Bill and Russ Robinson. Building a Church of Small Groups.
Zondervan, 2001.
- Peace, Richard. Small Group Evangelism. InterVarsity Press, 1985.
- Poole, Garry. Seeker Small Groups. Zondervan, 2003.
- Richardson, Rick. Evangelism Outside the Box. InterVarsity Press,
2000.
- Course Reader: Designing and Leading Small Groups. 2003.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- It is expected that each student will read the materials and be
prepared to participate in the classroom discussion and exercises, including
full participation in a small group and its outreach project. In addition,
students will be asked to complete a series of short small group exercises and
to design an innovative small group outreach series (20 pages total).
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets MDiv core requirement in Evangelism (MIN 3).
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.