Grouping Guidelines for Adults
Mark the blanks to rate your present grouping for adults.
E= Excellent
S= Satisfactorily Doing Now
I= Improvement Needed
N= Need to Start
| Adults |
Maximum Group Size |
|
| ___ Small Home Groups ___ Sunday School Classes |
8-121 30-403 |
1:82 1:84 |
1Small groups made up of couples continue to work well with slightly larger numbers than groups of unrelated individuals. It is easier for the leader to make contacts and build relationships with a couple than with two unrelated people. If one person in a couple is going to be absent, often the other person will, also. Thus, allowing 6 couples in a group provides a "cushion" against having so few people at a given session that group dynamics suffer.
2If a group involves more than 4 or 5 couples, it is wise to have a co-leader or host who is responsible for any hospitality related matters (refreshments, furniture, greeting people), while the group leader focuses on the group’s study. This person can also assist with some of the session-leading responsibilities.
3This number reaches the upper limits of the number of people with whom the average person can readily build friendships. While a minority of very gregarious people can "get to know" many more people, groups that exceed these limits cease being places where people feel they know everyone. For adult classes to continue to grow and to nurture successfully the growth of everyone involved, a very strong and committed leadership is required, both in teaching, in organizing, and in maintaining contact with group members. Many very large churches intentionally build large adult classes (sometimes calling them small churches), assigning them a wide range of the church’s ministry functions. Such groups are often led by church staff members as a major part of their ministry responsibility.
4This ratio reflects the need for adult groups to enlist and train a leadership team that provides a high degree of personal attention to group members. While many adult classes have traditionally had officers who were responsible for various class functions (missions projects, social events, etc.), the important number in effective adult ministry is to have enough leaders prepared to accept personal responsibility for up to 8 adults each. These "care group" leaders may lead small group sessions during the week, or they may focus on personal contacts with the people they have been assigned. If group leaders are expected to be responsible for more than 8 people, the degree of personal contacts and accountability will diminish.
As Your Adult Division Grows
| # of Adults |
Grouping |
Staff |
| 1-25 |
One Class One Teacher |
One to three group leaders |
| 20-60 |
Two Classes Young Adults (18-35) Middle & Older Adults (30+) |
Two teachers Two to eight group leaders |
| 50-120 |
Three or Four Classes Young Adults (18-30) Middle Adults I (25-45) Middle Adults II (40-55) Older Adults (50+) |
Three or four teachers Six to fourteen group leaders |
| 100+ |
Five or More Classes Young Adults (18-30) Middle Adults I (25-35) Middle Adults II (30-45) Middle Adults III (40-55) Older Adults (50+) |
At least one teacher per class One group leader per eight adults |
©2003 Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO. Permission to duplicate for local church use only. Wes Haystead, author of The 21st Century Sunday School, is also co-author, with his wife Sheryl, of How to Have a Great Sunday School, available from Gospel Publishing House.
