What should I expect from Group?
We just launched Groups back this past week, and I couldn’t be happier! If you don’t know what Groups are, or you have always wanted clarity on the vision for Groups, this writing is for you.
Simply put, ‘Groups’ are a time of fellowship and discipleship. Some churches call them Small Group, Life Group, or whatever creative twist local churches have put on the name. While we simply call it ‘Group’, the point is the same… this is a time for Christians to gather and do life together.
Fellowship
This aspect of ‘Group’ is vital to our structure. Whether or not you are introverted or extroverted, you were created for fellowship(Genesis 2:18) and commanded to fellowship(Hebrews 10:23-25, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13). I know in my own life that I not only want fellowship, but I need it. There have been numerous times in my life and walk with Christ that I felt isolated. In my mind no one could empathize with what I was going through. That happy reality that I quickly faced was the fact that my view was truly off and not honoring to God. Not only does God know our struggle, having faced the temptations and turmoil of the world allowing Him to empathize with us in our weakness(Hebrews 4:15), but we also have a church family that can minister to us in our weakness(2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Our fellowship is much more than friendship, though it shall naturally be that as we spend time together investing in the lives of each other. It is life-changing. It is different because we are a part of a family greater than anything this world has to offer. Our fellowship revolves around the Gospel and commitment to Gospel-living. This requires us to be intentional disciple-makers.
Discipleship
Often misunderstood by Christians is the idea of discipleship. This is our commitment to growing in holiness and helping others grow in their holiness also. To disciple someone is to take them under your wing to teach them the truths of God’s Word. This is not a job assigned to pastors alone, but rather all Christians everywhere.
My friend, Stephen Hall, has worked on a simple discipleship path and said something profound to me. He said, “If we disciple six people once a week for twelve weeks and they replicate it, we could have over 200 people discipled in just 36 weeks”. The reason that was profound to me is because it’s simple, yet tangible. We all know Matthew 28’s command to “make disciples”, but in reality we rarely commit ourself to it.
Now how does this apply to ‘Group’? Yes, while I believe we should also be setting aside intentional time for discipleship, I believe it happens in ‘Group’. We are following a simple discussion guide that helps us apply Sunday’s sermon to our everyday life. I’ve dubbed the vision of our Group Guide as follows - Every Word for Every Day. We are taking every word we’ve heard from God’s Word and aiming to apply it to our everyday life.
Conclusion
What would happen if we came together to fellowship and apply God’s word together? What would happen if we spoke up about our struggles in these smaller, more intimate settings like ‘Group’? What if we plugged into a Group and made it our family where prayer requests were made, needs were shared, and both those things were met?
Well, I can’t read the future, but I can read the past. Acts 2:42-47 says this:
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
I want to see this same Light in our town. I’d encourage you to plug into a Group and commit yourself to one another in this life as we share in our struggles and strive toward holiness TOGETHER.