The use of small groups in the Evangelical church in America can be traced back to the early days of the movement. In the 19th century, Evangelical Christians in the United States began to organize themselves into small groups for the purpose of mutual support and accountability.
One of the earliest examples of this type of small group was the Methodist class meeting, which was established by John Wesley in the 18th century. The class meeting was a weekly gathering of 10-12 members who would share their spiritual experiences and offer support and accountability to one another. The class meeting was instrumental in the growth of the Methodist movement in America, and it served as a model for other Evangelical groups.
In the 20th century, small groups continued to be an important part of Evangelical church life. The rise of the Sunday School movement in the late 19th century led to the establishment of small groups for children and adults. These groups provided an opportunity for people to study the Bible and grow in their faith together.
In the mid-20th century, the small group movement in the Evangelical church was given a new impetus with the publication of Robert Coleman’s book “The Master Plan of Evangelism” in 1963. In the book, Coleman emphasized the importance of discipleship and the need for small groups to facilitate this process. He argued that Jesus’ method of disciple-making was centered on small group relationships, and he encouraged Evangelical churches to follow this model.
The small group movement gained further momentum in the 1970s with the publication of Carl George and Warren Bird’s book “How to Build a Small Group Ministry” in 1979. The book provided practical advice on how to establish and grow small group ministries in Evangelical churches. It emphasized the importance of small groups for spiritual growth, community building, and outreach.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the small group movement in the Evangelical church continued to grow, with many churches adopting the model of the cell church. The cell church model, which originated in South America, emphasized the importance of small groups as the primary means of church growth and discipleship. The cell church model was characterized by a decentralized structure, with small groups meeting in homes throughout the community.
Today, small groups continue to be an important part of Evangelical church life in America. Many churches have established small group ministries, which provide an opportunity for members to study the Bible, pray together, and support one another in their spiritual journey. Small groups have been shown to be effective in promoting spiritual growth, community building, and outreach, and they are likely to remain a central feature of the Evangelical church for years to come.