A Gospel Group connects disciples together who are committed to growing in the gospel and going with the gospel.
- Psalm 1
- Acts 17:10-12
If we aren’t careful, certain practices or allowances can take place to run the dynamics of a group. Here are 6 group killers:
- Subjective Content
- If the Bible isn’t your textbook, you might find temporary encouragement but you will not find long-term sanctification.
- We don’t need to hear what the Bible means to you, we need to know what the Bible means to God.
- We need Biblical Authority.
- God’s Word must be our ultimate guide.
- Many books are inspiring, but only one Book is inspired.
- 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Josh. 1:8; 2 Tim. 2:15
- Immature Leaders
- Group members will rarely grow beyond the spiritual example of the leader.
- If groups tend to reflect the dynamic of an individual leader, we need to ensure the quality of each leader.
- We need Leadership Maturity.
- We will never have leaders who are perfect, but we should have leaders that are making progress.
- The greatest lesson a teacher will ever provide is his or her consistent example.
- James 3:1; 1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Tim. 4:16
- Surface Relationships
- If you maintain relational defenses, you will never know or be known by others.
- If you monopolize the conversation, you will hinder others from the ability to share.
- We need Safe Authenticity.
- Groups should be safe places to share the successes and the struggles of life.
- Flippant involvement and momentary additions can stifle growth among relationships within a group.
- Heb. 3:13; Gal. 6:9-10
- Loose Expectations
- If we focus on obtaining biblical information over experiencing biblical transformation, we are missing the point.
- Discipleship is not about leaving people where they are.
- We need Careful Accountability.
- Commit to becoming spiritual guardrails in the lives of other members.
- The goal is not to point out sin but to train how to avoid it.
- Gal. 6:1
- Halfhearted Commitment
- If you limit your group to a class, you will only get what a class can offer.
- The most challenging moments in your life will most likely happen outside the time your group meets.
- We need Intentional Availability.
- The most healthy groups are available for 168 hours per week rather than just assembling for 1 hour per week.
- Think of your scheduled group time to serve as a catalyst for intentional interaction during the rest of the week.
- 1 Thess. 2:8
- Cliqued Mentality
- Religious cliques have damaged many people’s spiritual conditions.
- We each gravitate towards those who welcome us the most, and oftentimes,
church can be a place of exclusion rather than acceptance. - We need Eager Reproducibility.
- The most connected members in a group will be those who accompany another rather than assigned by another.
- Addition grows a group; multiplication grows a Kingdom.
- 1 Cor. 11:1

Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.