---
title: Simplifying the online small group
date: 2020-04-17T13:09:00+01:00
author: Naomi Osinnowo
canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/simplifying-the-online-small-group"
section: Articles
---
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     #### For a number of years there has been a model of small groups working in the City of London which is based on evangelist John Wesley’s groups called ‘bands’. This flexible model – called the 3 P’s (presence, pressure, purpose) – is suitable for a 40-minute group Zoom or Skype meeting.

 

  **This is how it works**

**Presence**

The group time starts with someone doing an act of presence, reminding us of God’s presence amongst us, perhaps with a spiritual thought, or a brief Bible study, or an uplifting story of God at work, or maybe a short video clip.

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**Pressure**

This aspect entails each member of the group being invited to share the pressures they are facing. We did this in my group yesterday and all of us, like many people at the moment, were facing difficulties regarding the current COVID-19 situation, for which sharing and praying together was extremely beneficial.

**Purpose**

In this final stage, the group can think about how they could reach out to their street, to their neighbours and friends, and particularly at this time, how they can help others who are in difficulty.

The Government Heath Secretary has talked about ​“an army of volunteers”: perhaps we can be a part of that by helping people around us. Also, let us pray – for our friends, neighbours, country and government.

*Visit [Cell UK online](http://www.celluk.org.uk/) for regular email updates and resources on our website; we will continue to support internet-based small groups. We will resource the small group movement as much as we are able, so please get in touch by email at [office@​celluk.​org.​uk](mailto:office@celluk.org.uk) if you need help.*

*We are running *online* training sessions *every Tuesday at 11am and every Wednesday at 8pm* to guide people through holding their church small groups online in this season. Please get in touch at the email address above to reserve a space in the webinar.*

 

 

 

 

  

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### About Laurence Singlehurst

 ![]()Laurence Singlehurst is a director at Cell UK, which he founded more than 20 years ago. He has a passion for equipping churches to reach their communities, with an emphasis on friendship evangelism. Laurence is also on the board and leadership team of HOPE, chairman of Westminster Theological College, and he is a board member of several other charities.

[See more from Laurence Singlehurst](/author/laurence-singlehurst-1)