The purpose of this major applied project is threefold. First, through a study of the Scriptures, the history and use of small groups will be traced, and the text will demonstrate that it is God\u27s will that His Church grow and be brought into a relationship with Himself. Secondly, the necessity and strategy for persons to be brought into a relationship with one another as they grow in discipleship will be emphasized and discussed in a chapter which reviews not only biblical data, but also provides a search of related literature from the fields of both theology and social psychology. Finally, specific concerns and tasks are suggested which must be identified as congregations intentionally pursue the task of disciple making.
A Lutheran bias is reflected in the project with specific attention being drawn to the means of grace (Word and Sacrament) as the effective course for both church growth and growth in discipleship while also emphasizing the work of the social sciences in addressing the needs of people. Some of the present work in the area of small group ministry in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is identified. A leadership manual is proposed in the final chapter for use in the training of leaders in a small group ministry within the Lutheran Church, a manual which is being used by the author
