Why Small Groups?
Rev Charlie (September 2022)
Many churches, St. Andrew’s included, struggle to get a high percentage of their members meeting together in small groups during the week, for fellowship and Bible study. It is not hard to understand the reasons for this. The busyness of life takes over and it becomes difficult to carve out the time. Moreover, many are unable to leave their homes in the evenings due to childcare commitments. There is also the matter of finding people who are willing to lead such groups. However, I suspect the main reason that home groups, life groups, hubs, or whatever it is you call them, do not always flourish is that their value is largely underrated. So why is it important for Christians to meet in smaller groups during the week?
Firstly, to know and be known. Our weekly gatherings are indispensable, but on their own they are not sufficient to foster solid, mutually supportive and trusting relationships. These kinds of relationships can only be built by incrementally allowing a person (or people), to see who we really are; chiefly by sharing our joys, struggles, hopes and doubts and then offering them to God in prayer together. This takes time, commitment and a certain amount of privacy. However, the rewards are great! Having a group of trustworthy friends with whom we can be completely open and honest is essential to our mental and spiritual wellbeing.
Secondly, to hear from God. The main way that God speaks to us is through his word, the Bible. However, God speaks to us in other ways too, particularly through fellow Christians. Prayerfully reading the Bible with others can be particularly exciting because, as a group, we tend to discern God’s voice with greater accuracy. Having a range of perspectives and life experiences to draw on can also help us to apply God’s word to our lives.
Thirdly, to discover and exercise our spiritual gifts. The New Testament contains various lists of spiritual gifts, none of which are exhaustive. Spiritual gifts are special abilities that God gives to his people, for the building up of the church, such as: serving, leading, teaching, faith, prophecy, words of knowledge, gifts of healing, administration, etc. Small groups provide an environment where these gifts can be discerned and used. For example, in a small group setting, someone might say, ‘I’m not sure, but I think God may be saying…’ This could be the first step towards exercising the gift of words of knowledge. It is much easier to make that step in the context of a small, intimate group of friends.
Fourthly, to mobilise for mission. Christians are called to be Jesus’ hands and feet in the world and the ways of fulfilling this calling are virtually limitless. A church is only as weak as its imagination! Small groups can be a place where ideas are formed and tested and can provide the basis of a team for any given mission project. Decentralising the mission of the church is key to multiplying it.
In short, any Christian who desires to grow in their faith, deepen their relationship with God and reach their kingdom building potential should get plugged into a small group of Jesus’ followers. It is no coincidence that Jesus led a small group of 12 disciples. It really is Christianity 101!
