Building healthy small groups
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God designed humanity for communion with others. He created us in his very image. The blueprint of God is woven into the very core of our being. Our souls long and desire for meaningful relationships.
Small groups in the local church are one way we accomplish this communion.
The New Testament church example
Since before the beginning of time, God has been in perfect, harmonious relationship with himself for all of eternity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit experience awe-inspiring communion amongst one another. God's love moved him to share this with others by creating Adam and Eve and placing them in the garden of Eden, in his presence.
However, they ate of the fruit of the forbidden tree, sin entered the world, and they were cast out of the garden, but, far worse, from the presence of God.
Acts 2 shifts paradigms in how God relates to his people. For the first time in history, the wedge of separation driven between God and humanity in Genesis 3 by humanity's sin is removed. The chasm of separation between humanity and God breaches. God the Son sends God the Spirit and powerfully comes upon the disciples of the early church. God's people no longer need go to the temple to be in God's presence; rather, He indwelt them. He was with them by being in them.
The first example of a group in the New Testament Church is found in Acts 2:42-47:
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Incredible works occur through the Spirit empowered and led the New Testament early church. Immediately following, the first sermon of the church by Simon Peter leads 3,000 to repent and be baptized. Acts 2:42-47 describes the application of their faith taking root in home groups of sorts. Groups that gathered at the temple (corporate worship) and homes (biblical community) daily were the primary practice gospel living.
Today, we continue to walk in the ways of the Acts 2 church through developing small groups, but not all are created equal. Healthy small groups are those that practice fellowshipping, growing, serving and multiplying.
Healthy groups start with healthy leaders
Healthy groups must start with healthy leaders. Groups absent of healthy leaders will be very difficult, if not impossible, to see a healthy group formed.
Fortunately, the Bible doesn't leave open ended what a healthy leader is made up of. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus about the necessary qualities of a healthy leader. Better yet, the Healthy Leader qualities listed by the Apostle Paul are 90% character and have little to do with skill or ability. Therefore, it is important to recognize that healthy groups do not require a Gifted Leader, but they do necessitate a Godly one. On the other end of the spectrum, a healthy group does not demand a Perfect Leader, but one desiring Progress. So be encouraged, because anyone could be a leader, but not everyone should.
It is my conviction that today, as the local church builds leaders, groups will be started. As new groups are started, disciples will be made. Purposefully, I firmly believe this is the model Jesus left us to turn the world upside down and fulfill the Great Commission. Jesus chose 12 disciples for his group. He poured into them for three years so that they would in turn pour themselves out for many other disciples to be made.
 | Adam Erlichman is a Pastor, Consultant, and Best-Selling Author with Build Groups, LLC. He has served on various church staffs in Executive, Life Groups, Discipleship, Young Adult and Youth ministries and has written assessments, training processes, and resources including Group Leader Training. Adam serves on the Southern Baptist Texas Convention (SBTC) Discipleship Team/Board and occasionally blogs for the Small Group Network. He also guest speaks on podcasts such as Everyday Theologian and disciple FIRST. Learn More » |
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