SGL 101 – Change and Restoration: The Healing Power of Small Groups -
Tim Clinton, Ed.D.
There is a healing power that often comes when “two or three are gathered together” and Christ is invited into the process. Dr. Clinton explains in this introductory lesson why small groups can be such profound change agents that help facilitate restoration, transformation, and personal growth. With a dramatic increase in the number of small groups now meeting within and around the local Church, Dr. Clinton also describes the “curative factors” associated with this dynamic ministry.

SGL 102 – Never Alone: The Theology of Small Groups -
Ron Hawkins, Ed.D., D.Min.
The significant impact of meaningful and supportive relationships is woven throughout the Bible. Man was never designed to be alone, but to be in fellowship—to support, exhort, encourage, comfort, pray for, and bear one another’s burdens. Small groups have also played an integral role in the history of the Church. Dr. Hawkins explores the rich theology associated with small groups and gives biblical references regarding their power and influence.

SGL 103 – Types of Groups: An Overview for a Dynamic Ministry - Jennifer Cisney, M.A.; David Jenkins, Psy.D.; and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
There are a variety of ways to set up and run small groups in a church or ministry environment. These include therapy groups, psycho-educational and personal growth groups, support groups, and recovery groups… among others. This panel discussion explains the rationale, purposes, and strengths associated with different types of groups. Helpful guidance is provided regarding the decision-making process when it comes to “best fit” considerations for the population being served and the particular setting.

SGL 104 – Getting Started: Creating and Setting Up Successful Small Groups - Josh Straub, Ph.D. (candidate); Jennifer Cisney, M.A.; and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
In order to facilitate effective small groups, leaders must be aware of the foundational principles that are crucial to setting up any group correctly and which help ensure its future success. Josh Straub, along with Jennifer Cisney and Dr. Scalise, walk through a number of these critical steps, including having a well-defined purpose, understanding the population, having appropriate goals, utilizing a balanced structure, the need for screening members, addressing ethical and multicultural issues, the use of co-facilitators, and much more. This session also lays the groundwork for the small group project that is required to complete the certification process.

SGL 105 – A Foundation of Trust: The Ethics of Small Groups - Diane Langberg, Ph.D.
While small groups can be an incredibly effective ministry tool, awareness of important ethical concerns, such as informed consent, group safety, confidentiality, group leader competence, training requirements, and potential psychological risks—to name a few—are vital components of successful group leadership. Dr. Langberg addresses the essential ethical principles that are necessary to facilitating and ensuring the integrity of any small group process.

SGL 106 – Understanding Diversity: Developing Cultural Sensitivity in Small Groups - Leroy Scott, M.S.
Culture encompasses more than just ethnic and racial factors… it also includes the values, beliefs, and associated behaviors that are shared by a group of people. While these issues can be challenging for any leader, the successful management of diversity and cultural differences enrich the group experience. Leroy Scott helps navigate a thorough awareness of demographic variables, potential pitfalls, and helps you understand groups from a multicultural context.

SGL 107 – Establishing Priorities: Small Group Rules, Roles, and Boundaries - David Jenkins, Psy.D.
Effective small groups must operate under well defined member and leadership roles and through the consistent application of appropriate rules and boundaries. These important elements help provide safety, structure, and a healthy therapeutic environment. Dr. Jenkins gives a broad overview of the common rules and roles found in most groups, along with guiding leadership principles and skills that are critical to maintaining necessary boundaries.

SGL 201 – The Initial Stage Part I: The Process and Practice of Effective Small Groups - Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
Through a combination of discussion and the use of role-play, Jennifer Cisney and Dr. Scalise highlight many of the factors that characterize this foundational stage in the life of a group and its members. These include early concerns among members, establishing safety and trust, maintaining a self-focus rather than an avoidant-based focus on others, staying in the here-and-now versus the there-and-then, demonstrating effective listening through empathy and genuineness, leader modeling, creating cohesion, showing respect, and identifying and clarifying both individual and group goals.

SGL 202 – The Initial Stage Part II: The Process and Practice of Effective Small Groups - Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
Jennifer Cisney and Dr. Scalise continue their discussion regarding common factors in the Initial Stage and demonstrate some of these dynamics through the use of role-play.

SGL 203 – The Initial Stage Part III: The Process and Practice of Effective Small Groups - Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
Jennifer Cisney and Dr. Scalise continue their discussion regarding common factors in the Initial Stage and demonstrate some of these dynamics through the use of role-play.

SGL 301 – The Transition Stage Part I: The Process and Practice of Effective Small Groups - Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
Through a combination of discussion and the use of role-play, Jennifer Cisney and Dr. Scalise highlight many of the factors that characterize this crucial maturing stage in the life of a group and its members. These include ongoing trust and cohesion issues, successfully addressing anxiety within members, working through inter-member conflicts and challenges to leadership, moving beyond defensiveness and resistance, recognizing control tendencies, and learning appropriate interventions when confronted with problem behaviors and difficult group members.

SGL 302 – The Transition Stage Part II: The Process & Practice of Effective Small Groups - Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
Jennifer Cisney and Dr. Scalise continue their discussion regarding common factors in the Transition Stage and demonstrate some of these dynamics through the use of role-play.

SGL 303 – The Transition Stage Part III: The Process & Practice of Effective Small Groups - Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
Jennifer Cisney and Dr. Scalise continue their discussion regarding common factors in the Transition Stage and demonstrate some of these dynamics through the use of role-play.

SGL 401 – The Working Stage: The Process and Practice of Effective Small Groups - Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
The Working Stage represents the time in the group process where members should be demonstrating a commitment to explore and address significant issues and problems in an authentic and genuine manner. Jennifer Cisney and Dr. Scalise help define and articulate the differences between a working and a non-working group, including some of the specific tasks and choices that typically surface during this stage. The use of role-play helps to illustrate some of these points.

SGL 501 – The Termination Stage: The Process and Practice of Effective Small Groups - Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and Eric Scalise, Ph.D.
Equally important as the Initial Stage of a group is the consolidation of learning for members and termination of the group experience. Jennifer Cisney and Dr. Scalise discuss and utilize role-plays to highlight several factors that are critical to obtaining a healthy sense of closure. These include dealing with unfinished business and feelings of separation, reviewing the overall group experience, practicing for behavioral change, giving and receiving feedback, and developing guidelines for applying group learning to life.

SGL 601 – Leadership Matters: The Selection, Training, & Supervision of Small Group Leaders - Jennifer Cisney, M.A. and David Jenkins, Psy.D.
The quality and effectiveness of a facilitator will often make or break a small group. The final video in this series addresses the appropriate selection, training, and supervision of small group leaders in a church or para-church setting. Jennifer Cisney and Dr. Jenkins offer practical tips and tools for choosing the right individuals who can effectively lead a small group through its various stages. Important training and supervision needs are also discussed to help maximize dynamic leadership.