Leadership Group Guide - May 2023

We had a great Easter at all of our services and congregations. God showed us the people He wants us to shepherd. The work is now on the ground to follow up and disciple those who attended and have yet to return. 

Easter Service Attendance

Easter 2023: 5207 

Easter 2022: 3872 

+1235 from last year (+134%)

  • These are the people we are called to shepherd.

 

While our service attendance has grown, our small group attendance has remained flat. This is a concern since true discipleship happens relationally in small groups, not in large services. 

Small Group Attendance

2023: 1582

2022: 1515

  • We are a discipleship church. Therefore, this is where we need to improve to care for the people God is calling us to shepherd.

 

We need more “jars” to care for the harvest.

  • We need approximately 181 more groups.

  • If half of our current groups branch or plant another group this year, we will exceed this goal.

 

What’s most important right now?

“Each one REACH one, each one DISCIPLE one, each one TRAIN one this year.”

 

1) Each one REACH one…

As leaders, we must model a lifestyle of evangelism.

  • Be consistently present in the lives of the people you are reaching out to.

  • Follow up with those who came to Easter in a casual setting over coffee, or lunch. Ask “What did you think of church? Do you have any questions about church, God, the Bible, etc.?”

  • Be intentional and consistent, not random with evangelism.

2) Each one DISCIPLE one…

Those who believe must be “discipled,” or taught to follow Jesus by establishing biblical foundations in their lives.

  • Continue meeting consistently, relationally connecting, answering questions, and sharing about your faith until it’s time to introduce a discipleship resource.

  • Several resources include:

  • The goal should be to meet weekly, discussing chapter by chapter until it is completed.

  • During this process, introduce them to a small group when appropriate. The synergy of the group is essential for discipleship to take place.

 

3) Each one TRAIN one…

  1. All leaders must be training someone else to lead. This is how we will multiply containers for the harvest.

  2. Designate “cluster” leaders and break groups into clusters of 3-5. Clustering enables new leaders to grow and provides a better environment for relational discipleship to take place.

Discussion Questions & Application (45 minutes):

  1. Who are you reaching? What lessons can you apply to reach the people in your life?

  2. Who are you discipling? What steps are you taking? What can you apply from today’s discussion?

  3. Who are you training to lead? What steps must you take to develop another leader and multiply your group?

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Discipleship Tools | pearlside.org/resources

Discipleship Classes | pearlside.org/classes
Pearlside Church is determined to help train and develop you to make disciples. If you or anyone you know in your group hasn’t attended any of our classes in the last year, we encourage you to register and attend our upcoming classes. Check our website or the App for our class schedules at our different congregations.

  • Growth Track

  • Discipleship Track

  • Freedom Weekend

Pearlside Small Group Leaders Podcast
Listen to our weekly podcast to help prepare as you lead your Small Group. This is a valuable resource that you can use to equip your apprentices to lead a cluster or prepare them to start their own group. The podcast can be accessed on our Pearlside App under Small Group Leaders Resources or through Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Search for Pearlside Small Group Leaders Podcast.

School of Empowerment | July 10-14, 2023
Come and be fully immersed in God’s transformational presence at the School of Empowerment (SOE). You will be challenged, inspired, equipped, and changed further into the likeness of Jesus and empowered to be a witness to the majesty, power, glory, and goodness of God in every sphere in society!

Pearlside Church will be holding the School of Empowerment from July 10-14. This will be open to all of our Small Group Leaders. We encourage you to prayerfully consider being a part of this school. Registration will be open until June 15, 2023. Click below to register or to learn more about the school.