By: Pastor Joe Moore, Graduate Student, Liberty University Theological Seminary
In biker church ministry, community is forged not in pews but in shared roads, shared stories, shared wounds, and shared transformation in Christ. Bikers thrive on authenticity, loyalty, and relational brotherhood, values that align naturally with effective small group discipleship. This report explores the foundational principles necessary to lead a strong small group within the biker church context, drawing from Jeffrey Arnold’s Small Group Leaders Handbook (chapters 4–5), Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey’s Disciple Making Leaders (chapters 22–28), and the 5 W’s model (Welcome, Worship, Word, Witness, Work). The goal is to adapt these principles to a ministry culture marked by strong relational glue, highly authentic expectations, and an evangelistic passion for reaching those who might otherwise avoid traditional church settings.
Small groups in biker churches function not only as Bible studies but as spiritual garages, environments where broken lives are restored, rough edges are refined, and disciples are shaped for kingdom impact. These groups provide a safe space where authenticity is valued over pretense, allowing members to share struggles, victories, and life experiences without fear of judgment. They also leverage the strong bonds of the biker community to foster accountability, mentorship, and mutual encouragement. This research applies standard small group methodology to the unique relational dynamics, lifestyle rhythms, and missional opportunities found in biker communities.
Summary of Arnold: Chapters 4–5
Jeffrey Arnold’s The Big Book on Small Groups serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone seeking to lead or participate in a small group within a church setting. Arnold begins by acknowledging the anxiety many new leaders face, comparing early leadership to learning to drive—awkward at first but becoming natural over time.[1] He emphasizes the importance of prayer and dependence on God when gathering group members, noting that even Jesus sought divine guidance in selecting His disciples (Luke 6:12–16, English Standard Version, 2001).[2] Leaders are encouraged to discern carefully whom to invite, focusing on those willing to grow as disciples, while considering potential apprentice leaders and hosts for the group.[3] Face-to-face invitations and thoughtful logistics, such as central meeting points, demonstrate care and foster trust among members.[4]
A key element of Arnold’s framework is the development of a group covenant, which establishes mutual expectations, roles, and communication guidelines. These covenants are initially short-term and focus on identity, tasks, communication, and roles, helping groups navigate early relational dynamics.[5] Task planning, meeting structure, and role assignment ensure clarity and accountability, while ground rules such as confidentiality, honesty, and respect maintain Christ-centered interactions.[6] Arnold identifies three stages of group development: “just getting started,” mature groups, and later groups preparing to terminate. Each stage has unique leadership responsibilities and focuses, with mature groups balancing community, discipleship, and outreach.[7]
Arnold categorizes small groups into types, cell groups, discipleship groups, ministry groups, special-needs groups, affinity groups, and house churches, highlighting their purposes, membership profiles, and strengths and weaknesses.[8] Across all types, the overarching goal is discipleship, which requires intentional community-building and thoughtful planning.[9] Effective groups prioritize past, present, and future sharing, enabling members to understand one another’s experiences, challenges, and aspirations, which fosters deeper relationships and spiritual growth.[10] Leaders model relational skills, address individual needs, and reinforce positive communication rules such as honesty, confidentiality, and the avoidance of gossip.[11]
Finally, Arnold underscores the biblical foundation of Christian community, drawing from Acts 2 and Ephesians 2 and 5. Believers are united not by similarity but by a shared future in Christ, learning to love and obey God together in an atmosphere of acceptance and mutual care.[12] In sum, Arnold provides both theological grounding and practical strategies, emphasizing that successful small groups require prayerful dependence on God, intentional structure, and a commitment to authentic community.
Summary of Earley & Dempsey: Chapters 22–28
Earley and Dempsey’s chapters 22–28 provide a strategic framework well-suited for biker churches, where mission and relationship intersect naturally. Chapter 22 focuses on prayer as foundational for small group leaders, analogous to oxygen for life, it sustains leadership and spiritual effectiveness. Earley and Dempsey stress that consistent prayer is essential for personal and group growth. Historical Christian voices, including Baxter, Spurgeon, Finney, Bounds, Hudson Taylor, Pierson, Gordon, Luther, Jowett, Billy Graham, Falwell, and Baxter, underscore that prayer is central to spiritual awakening and transformation.[13] Research by Joel Comiskey supports this, showing that leaders whose groups multiply regularly pray approximately an hour daily.[14] Leaders are encouraged to set intentional prayer goals, schedule specific times, focus on concrete needs, and involve others for accountability.[15]
Chapter 23 focused on Small Group Covenants. A clear covenant fosters clarity, unity, and purpose in a small group. Earley and Dempsey outline ten key components: Priority, Prayer, Outreach, Growth, Openness, Multiplication, Availability, Confidentiality, Accountability, and Love.[16] Early and frequent discussion of these points builds trust, aligns expectations, and helps the group flourish. Leaders are encouraged to customize covenants for their context, communicate with pastors or coaches, and use covenants as relational and spiritual guides.[17]
Chapter 24 covered Asking Good Questions. Effective questions deepen relational and spiritual engagement. Drawing from Jesus’ example, leaders are encouraged to craft questions that provoke thought, connect members, and foster discussion.[18] Icebreakers are particularly important for new or distracted participants. Questions should balance relational connection and scriptural insight, avoiding simple yes/no answers to encourage deeper reflection and personal application.[19]
Chapter 25 covers the topic of Leading Discussions. The focus is on applying Scripture to real life. Leaders should avoid lecturing, encourage participation, and ensure discussions move from observation to meaning to application.[20] Preparing discussion guides, whether from published curriculum or original outlines, requires clear objectives for learning, feelings, and behavioral change. Structured discussions include icebreakers, Scripture reading, observation, discussion, and application questions to maximize group impact.[21]
Chapter 26 will direct attention to Apprentice Training. Leadership development relies on modeling and mentoring. Earley and Dempsey emphasize “learning by example” and practical apprenticeship.[22] Potential leaders are identified through F.A.I.T.H. (Faithful, Available, Integrity, Teachable, Heart for God), given incremental responsibilities, and gradually entrusted with leadership tasks.[23] Continuous support, prayer, and evaluation ensure successful multiplication of leaders and groups.[24]
Chapter 27 shifts to Ministering to Difficult People. Handling challenging personalities requires patience, prayer, and skill. Leaders are guided to redirect those who dominate, acknowledge wandering topics, respond to incorrect answers, embrace silence, and admit when they don’t know an answer.[25] Prayerful love and modeling Christlike behavior are central to maintaining group harmony and spiritual growth.[26]
The final chapter topic is on Integrating Children. Children can be intentionally incorporated into small group meetings. Earley and Dempsey suggest planning for participation in opening segments, engaging youth or mature adults for supervision, and customizing strategies based on group needs.[27] Reflection on Scripture passages (Mark 9:37; 10:13–16) encourages the group to evaluate and enhance their ministry to children, fostering inclusion and spiritual growth.[28]
Earley and Dempsey’s framework offer biker churches a practical and spiritually grounded roadmap for cultivating healthy, mission-driven small groups. Their emphasis on prayer, covenants, meaningful questions, and discussion-based learning equips leaders to foster authentic relationships and real-life transformation. By training apprentices, navigating difficult personalities with grace, and intentionally integrating children, their model supports long-term growth and community impact. Together, these chapters provide biker church leaders with tools to build Christ-centered groups where discipleship, unity, and spiritual renewal thrive.
Beginning Steps for Creating a Group (Biker Church Adaptation)
Beginning a small group in a biker church requires intentional clarity of purpose, cultural awareness, and a relational approach that honors the rhythms of biker life. The first step is clarifying the purpose, the “why” of the group. In a biker church setting, the aim extends beyond discipleship to creating a safe spiritual space for riders who may never feel comfortable in a traditional church environment.
The goal becomes establishing a brotherhood of believers (the Who), where riders can grow in Christ, support one another, and reach fellow bikers with the gospel. Ultimately, the goal is to create disciples for Christ that will grow into spiritual maturity and fulfill the Great Commission, producing disciples for Christ.[29] Arnold describes this “brotherhood,” as a group of people willing to grow under your leadership.”[30] This requires a clear vision at the outset helps attract the right participants that the leader can work with and feel the most comfortable with.[31] Small groups may form around seasoned riders, new bikers exploring faith, men or women recovering from addiction, club members seeking deeper discipleship, or veterans active in biker ministries. Arnold notes that groups thrive when members share common life experiences, which for bikers often includes road stories, shared dangers, and a sense of camaraderie that creates the groups’ identity.[32]
The next step involves determining the meeting logistics (when and where). Unlike traditional groups that meet in living rooms, biker small groups thrive in locations such as garages, clubhouses, outdoor picnic areas, coffee shops popular with riders, or biker-themed church spaces. Arnold emphasized that details and logistics matter.[33] Consistency of location and schedule matter more than formality, enabling riders to settle into a dependable rhythm. Biker culture values authenticity and face-to-face invitation, which make effective use of interactions at rallies, gas stations, biker nights, charity rides, or local bike shops. This is indicative of the 1st Century church in Acts 2.[34]
Preparing curriculum (what), requires choosing content that is biblical, practical, and deeply connected to real-life struggles such as addiction, anger, forgiveness, identity, loyalty, and the meaning of brotherhood. The Scriptures provide a biblical foundation on which these riders can live out their identity in Christ.[35] Riders tend to appreciate story-driven, real-world application rather than abstract theological material. Curriculum should be designed to move the small group members “past their daily efforts of surviving, and into the joy of being a Chrit’s child in the world.”[36]
Finally, establishing expectations (how), ensures that members understand the group’s values and commitments. Because biker culture values honesty, clarity, and direct communication, setting simple and straightforward expectations builds trust and prevents misunderstandings from forming later in the group’s life. By laying out simple, clear guidelines from the beginning, leaders build trust, reduce confusion, and prevent misunderstandings as the group grows together.
Biker Church Group Outline: The 5 W’s with Contextual Adaptation
A biker small group can be effectively organized around the 5 W’s, with each element adapted to the culture and rhythms of biker ministry. The Welcome sets the tone through coffee, snacks, or even a cookout, creating space for riders to share “road stories” from the week and participate in icebreakers that resonate with their lifestyle, such as discussing favorite rides. Worship follows in a simple, authentic format, acoustic guitar, familiar songs, or reflective Scripture readings, alongside opportunities to share praises or “road blessings.” The Word segment focuses on Bible study connected to real-life issues bikers face, fostering open discussion, spiritual transformation, and mutual accountability. In Witness, the group prays for friends in biker clubs, plans outreach rides or charity events, and encourages members to be bold yet humble representatives of Christ within biker culture. Finally, the Work component covers ministry updates, service ride planning, and practical care for group needs such as hospital visits or helping with bike breakdowns. This adapted structure supports both the relational depth and missional focus that define effective biker church small group ministry.
The Importance of a Group Covenant (Biker Church Version)
A covenant is essential in a biker small group because it safeguards the integrity of the community, especially in a culture where loyalty, trust, and commitment are already deeply ingrained. Dempsey and Earley emphasize that many small groups begin without a clear picture of what the leader hopes to accomplish, and this lack of clarity leads to confusion and dysfunction.[37] Their reminder, echoing Ziglar’s maxim that “if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time,” underscores the need for explicit expectations from the very beginning.[38]
In biker ministry, where many riders have experienced betrayal, trauma, addiction, or disappointment with traditional churches, a covenant provides clarity, stability, and protection. It sets clear expectations, ensuring that members know what the group is about and what commitment looks like.[39] It also protects vulnerability by establishing confidentiality, a principle Dempsey and Earley identify as essential for building trust and openness.[40] This is especially important among bikers who may carry painful histories or legal and relational wounds that require a safe and trustworthy environment.
A covenant also strengthens the sense of brotherhood, something already central to biker identity, by giving spiritual shape to values such as loyalty, accountability, and mutual care. Dempsey and Earley outline ten key covenant components, including priority, prayer, outreach, growth, openness, multiplication, availability, confidentiality, accountability, and love.[41] These elements serve as a springboard for conversation within the group, helping members understand the spiritual commitments they are making to one another. When these covenant points are discussed early and revisited often, they dramatically increase a group’s clarity, harmony, and unity.[42]
A covenant is essential for reducing confusion in group life, especially since miscommunication is one of the most common sources of conflict.[43] Because God relates to His people through covenants, and because human frailty requires clear agreements, Arnold notes that covenants help establish shared expectations rather than relying on assumptions.[44] For this reason, he recommends that new groups adopt an initial short-term covenant to define purpose and promote accountability from the very beginning.[45]
Finally, a covenant aligns bikers around a Christ-centered mission, ensuring the group is more than a social gathering. It reinforces a collective commitment to reach other riders with the gospel, serve one another in tangible ways, and grow together into Christlikeness. For a biker church, a covenant becomes more than a document; it formalizes the very loyalty and relational integrity the culture already values, redirecting it toward the purposes of Christ.[46]
Types of Small Groups and Those Used in a Biker Church
Arnold and Earley & Dempsey describe several types of small groups that churches can use, and these categories adapt well to the unique relational culture of biker ministry.[47] In a biker church, life groups, often functioning as brotherhood groups, tend to be especially effective because they emphasize relationships, prayer, community support, and life transformation, much like Arnold’s description of cell groups that blend care, Bible study, and mission.[48] Discipleship groups also play a central role, typically involving three to five riders who focus on accountability, spiritual growth, and personal transformation. Arnold explains that these smaller groups mirror the intensive relational model Jesus used with His disciples, offering deep commitment and meaningful change.[49]
Outreach or missional ride groups parallel Arnold’s ministry groups, blending evangelism, mission, and community engagement through rides, charity events, or service-oriented projects that connect naturally with biker culture.[50] Additionally, biker churches often benefit from support groups, which align with Arnold’s special-needs groups designed for healing, recovery, and relational restoration.[51] These groups help riders address addiction, PTSD (common among veteran bikers), grief, anger, or marriage struggles within a safe, gospel-centered environment. Affinity-based small groups, another model Arnold identifies, arise naturally among riders who share the common bond of motorcycle lifestyle and community.[52] Finally, home churches are mentioned by Arnold, function as a church, but operate in a home. One danger to this group is creating the “spectator complex.”[53]
Given these options, the primary group I plan to lead is a hybrid discipleship–life group that integrates relationship, accountability, biblical teaching, and evangelistic outreach rides. This model fits both Arnold’s emphasis on relational discipleship and Earley & Dempsey’s focus on mission and multiplication. The group will meet weekly, follow the 5 W’s structure, and intentionally reach unchurched riders while developing new leaders capable of launching future groups within the biker community.
Conclusion
Leading small groups within a biker church requires flexibility, authenticity, and a deep understanding of the values that shape biker culture. Arnold’s principles of trust-building and facilitation equip leaders to create safe, honest environments where riders can grow spiritually. Earley and Dempsey’s strategic framework provides essential tools for planning, structuring, and multiplying groups that make disciple-makers. Combined with the 5 W’s model, these principles help biker church leaders form groups that function as relational brotherhoods, spiritual garages, and mission hubs. A well-led biker small group becomes a transformative community where riders meet Christ, grow in His Word, support one another through life’s challenges, and ride together into God’s mission.
[1] Jeffrey Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups (Revised Edition) (InterVarsity Press, 2017), 62–63.
[2] Ibid., 63.
[3] Ibid., 64.
[4] Ibid., 64-65.
[5] Ibid., 65-68.
[6] Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 71-72.
[7] Ibid., 73-75.
[8] Ibid., 76-80.
[9] Ibid., 83-84.
[10] Ibid., 89-93.
[11] Ibid., 96-98.
[12] Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 85-88.
[13] Rod Dempsey and Dave Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups (Wordsearch, 2018), 85-87.
[14] Ibid., 87.
[15] Ibid., 85-87.
[16] Dempsey and Earley. Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups, 88-89.
[17] Ibid., 90.
[18] Ibid., 91.
[19] Ibid., 91-92.
[20] Ibid., 93-94.
[21] Ibid., 94-95.
[22] Dempsey and Earley. Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups, 88-89.
[23] Ibid., 97-99.
[24] Ibid., 100.
[25] Ibid., 101-103.
[26] Ibid., 104.
[27] Ibid., 105-106.
[28] Dempsey and Earley. Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying, Small Groups, 106.
[29] Jim Putman, Bobby Harrington, and Robert E. Coleman, DiscipleShift: Five Steps that Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. (Grand Rapids: MI: Zondervan Reflective, 2013). 98.
[30] Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 63.
[31] Ibid., 64.
[32] Ibid., 68.
[33] Ibid, 70.
[34] Ibid., 86.
[35] Earley, Dave and Dempsey, Rod. Spiritual Formation Is . . .: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. Brentwood: B&H Academics, 2018. 64.
[36] Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 104.
[37] Dempsey and Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups, 88.
[38] Ibid., 88.
[39] Dempsey and Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups, 88.
[40] Ibid., 89.
[41] Ibid., 89.
[42] Ibid., 90.
[43] Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 65-66.
[44] Ibid., 66.
[45] Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 67.
[46] Dempsey and Earley, Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups, 90.
[47] Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 76–80.
[48] Ibid., 76-77.
[49] Arnold, The Big Book on Small Groups, 77-78.
[50] Ibid., 78.
[51] Ibid., 78-79.
[52] Ibid., 79-80.
[53] Ibid., 80.
Arnold, Jeffrey. The Big Book on Small Groups, Revised Edition. InterVarsity Press, 2017.
Dempsey, Rod and Earley, Dave. Discipleship Making Is . . .: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. Brentwood: B&H Academics, 2013. 21, 22.
Dempsey, Rod, and Dave Earley. Leading Healthy, Growing, Multiplying Small Groups. Lynchburg, Va. Liberty University Press, 2016.
Demsey, Rod and Earley, Dave. Spiritual Formation Is . . .: How to Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence. Brentwood: B&H Academics, 2018.
Putman, Jim, Harrington, Bobby, and Coleman, Robert E. DiscipleShift: Five Steps that Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. Grand Rapids: MI: Zondervan Reflective, 2013. 19.
Fighting for My Pea Patch 