1. New Groups = New Growth Dr. Charles Arn Why and How to Apply This Secret in Your Church

2. 4 Community 4 Personal Growth 4 Support The Benefits to the Individual of Being Part of a Group The Benefits to the Individual of Being Part of a Group

3. The Benefits to the Church of Being Part of a Group 4 Assimilation 4 Spiritual Development 4 Solidarity

4. Why many older adults will not become part your present older adult group... A. Saturation Point — the time in a group’s life when it can no longer add members through addition, but only through replacement. — the time in a group’s life when it can no longer add members through addition, but only through replacement. Saturation Point time attendance

5. Why do older adult groups“saturate” (stop growing)? 50% of all groups saturate after 1 year together 50% of all groups saturate after 1 year together 90% of all groups saturate after 2 years together 90% of all groups saturate after 2 years together l Length of time they have been together

6. Why do older adult groups“saturate” (stop growing)? l Change in purpose of the group l Length of time they have been together l Skills of the leader at inclusion l Size of the room capacity l Cost vs. benefit of participating

7. Why many older adults will not become part your present older adult group... B. Inward-focused vs. Outward- focused older adult groups

8. The priority of new groups tends to be: outward Why many older adults will not become part your present older adult group...

9. The priority of older groups tends to be: inward Why many older adults will not become part your present or older adult group...

10. C. One group cannot be all things to all older adults! EmergingAdults 18-29 yrs. YoungAdults 30-49 yrs. MiddleAdults 50-69 yrs. SeniorAdults 70-79 yrs. ElderlyAdults 80+ yrs. Why many older adults will not become part your present older adult group...

11. C. One group cannot be all things to all older adults! Why many older adults will not become part your present older adult group... Question: What are some of the unique concerns each group would have at this stage of their life? EmergingAdults 18-29 yrs. YoungAdults 30-49 yrs. MiddleAdults 50-69 yrs. SeniorAdults 70-79 yrs. ElderlyAdults 80+ yrs. “traditional senior adult” age range

12. The secret to growing your older adult ministry... Start New Older Adult Groups!!

13. Characteristics: long-term commitment group consent membership: 4 - 12 people homogeneous Characteristics: long-term commitment group consent membership: 4 - 12 people homogeneous What kind of older adult groups could you begin? A. Covenant groups

14. What kind of older adult groups could you begin? Characteristics: pre-determined topic similar interests bridge other differences short-term Characteristics: pre-determined topic similar interests bridge other differences short-term B. Study groups

15. What kind of older adult groups could you begin? Characteristics: topical no time commitment size varies neutral meeting place Characteristics: topical no time commitment size varies neutral meeting place C. Evangelistic groups

16. What kind of older adult groups could you begin? D. Action groups Characteristics: focused on a clear goal beyond themselves limited time commitment size varies can involve non-members Characteristics: focused on a clear goal beyond themselves limited time commitment size varies can involve non-members

17. What kind of older adult groups could you begin? E. Support groups Characteristics: emotional / spiritual support books or study guides as reference 8-12 weeks lectures or discussion no size limit Characteristics: emotional / spiritual support books or study guides as reference 8-12 weeks lectures or discussion no size limit

18. Ingredients of a healthy older adult small group service service spiritual growth spiritual growth evangelism/outreach evangelism/outreach fellowship fellowship