When Small Groups Get It

Today I knew for sure that my small group “gets it.” We have been together for quite a while now. Members have come and gone and we have worked through many different studies, but today I was reassured that the members of our small group have figured out the essence of the small group experience.

A few days ago Rick sent a group text asking us to pray for his wife as she took a very important test that could affect the future of her career. (Rick is not his real name, and yes, I did get permission to share this story outside of the group.) Today He sent another group text just to let us know that she had passed her test and they appreciated our prayers. Immediately, we all began to text our congratulations and words of support. As I looked at those text messages I was overjoyed as I realized these people are sharing life together. That’s what small groups are all about.

I hear you saying, “John, it was just a couple of text messages about a test! That’s not that big a deal.” Well, that’s kind of my point. It’s not the earth shattering revelations or the mind blowing discoveries from studying together that make the group so powerful. It’s the day in and day out sharing of life. It’s the celebrations over passed tests or a kid’s touchdown last Friday. It’s the empathy over family problems or frustrations on the job. It’s about rejoicing together and mourning together and living in harmony (see Romans 12:16).

It doesn’t really matter what you call them, “Small Groups,” “Life Groups,” “Cell Groups,” “Home Groups,” etc. Whatever label you apply to them their goal is the same, and it’s simple. Small groups provide a way for people to connect and then share life together. It’s not about the curriculum, or the series, or the food, or the setting. It’s about the people.

The fact is, if you are a person you need people.

You need a connection with others that goes deeper and means more than a kind word and a handshake during the greeting time on Sunday morning (see Acts 2:46).

As a matter of fact, I would argue that we are “doing church” best when we are in small groups. Sunday morning worship is important. It’s vital to the life of the church and the faith of the believer, but it is in small groups that we are best able to be the church. In small groups we live life together and encourage each other to fulfill our gifted roles in the body of Christ (see Hebrews 10:24-25). Andy Stanley is the well-known pastor of a large church. Comparing the way the congregations meets on Sundays and how they meet in small groups, he recently said in a podcast, “We are famous for our rows, but the strength of our churches is what happens in circles.” In rows we can worship together and learn together, but in circles we can love one another, take care of each other, encourage one another, and carry out all of the other “one another” commands in scripture!

Small groups are not complicated. They are just groups of 8-14 people who get to know each other, take care of each others, learn and grow together. It’s just a few people sharing life together. We get it now. How about you?