Why do we meet in small groups at LifeNet?
Pastor Pete Beck III • July 6, 2019
At LifeNet we made the decision a few years ago to move to the small group model after years of experimentation. We still meet once a month as a network when all our groups come together. Why did we do this? There are a number of reasons. I have listed a few below.
- Small groups provide an ideal environment for personal interaction. We have found that groups from 8 to about 15 people encourage all participants to take part in the meeting. We realize that not everyone wants to be a “player.” That is why so many churches are filled with people looking at the back of the head of the persons seated in front of them, passively listening to a message. But if you do like to engage at some level, small groups are the place for you.
- Small groups are the best place to learn and grow.
Over the years many have told me that
they like the small group dynamic because they can ask questions. Instead of wondering what the speaker meant, we can ask on the spot. From a Bible teachers point of view, small groups allow me to find out what people really think and know. During discussion I find out what people actually know and believe. It is easy to assume people get what we intend for them to learn, but many (most) times, they do not. We see areas of misunderstanding or ignorance that should be addressed. This is good. On the other hand, my own understanding has grown on countless times as I listen to the insights of others. - Small groups are a wonderful place to develop our gifts . In the group I lead, I have been teaching some young boys to play guitar. Their dad can play about three instruments and actually does the hard lifting. These young men often bring their guitars, ukuleles, and mandolins to our meetings where we encourage them to participate. In a large church, usually only the most competent and experienced musicians and singers are put on the stage. Small groups offer opportunities to more average people to lead, teach, do music, and minister in many other ways. They are greenhouses for developing latent talent and abilities.
- Small groups teach people to take on responsibility. Whereas those attending larger churches generally just have to show up, small group meetings require someone to host, to prepare food, and to cleanup before and afterward. You might think this is a negative, but actually its a positive. Jesus taught that disciples serve and deny themselves. If we cannot serve in simple ways, we should not think of ourselves as true followers of Christ. Jesus came to develop disciples, not pander to consumers.
- Small groups are a message against our consumerist culture
. Our culture teaches people to be consumers of church products. We think in terms of where can I hear the best sermon, enjoy the best worship, experience the best programs, and provide my children with the best kid’s church.
As a result, many modern churchgoers have not yet learned to be disciples. They are simply in it for what they can get out of it. Small groups do not offer a lot of bells and whistles. You will not hear a star quality speaker. The worship is simple and “unplugged.” The venue will not be the reason you attend, and the children will receive only what we give them. There will not be a professional youth pastor on board. I often ask people, what could be stripped from your church experience without your leaving? Small groups are simple church, just like the first church. - Small groups are mobile, flexible, and easily reproducible. When we owned our own church building, it required a lot of our time, energy, and finances to keep it going. It also anchored us down to a certain location. Now that we small group based, we can meet nearly anywhere. Our groups meet in homes, restaurants, and parks. We can even meet with other churches or in whatever venue we choose. This is liberating, giving us more time for people ministry and relating to people outside the church in our neighborhoods. One of our goals is to be an expression of God’s kingdom in the neighborhoods where we live. When one of our groups becomes too large, it is simple to divide into two groups and keep going, giving even more people an opportunity to develop in leadership and ministry.
- Small groups provide an integrated context for children. It is common practice today to separate children from adults. We do the opposite. The kids join us for our common meals, for worship, and many times for the message and discussion. Most of the time our group has a children’s mini-sermon from the Action Bible first, after which they can play and listen to what we adults are doing. Other times an adult will take them to play out of earshot of the adults. We want the kids to understand that following Christ is for kids, too, and they are integral to church life. Hopefully that will keep them plugged into the church when they hit the college years.
- Small groups may be the only way to meet some day . In areas of the world where the church is persecuted, small groups allow the church to multiply “under the radar.” Is persecution in America’s future? Many think so. If so, perhaps we are pioneering a way to survive and thrive under adverse conditions.
- Small groups are biblical. The early church in the Book of Acts met in small groups. The church was organic, decentralized, mobile, and full of life. That is what we are pursuing. We believe we are getting back to the church’s roots.
- Small groups help people realize that the church is not a building. Regardless of what people say to the contrary, most Christians identify their church’s building as “the church.” As a result, their members tend to think that Christian activities only happen while in the building “at church.” Meeting in small groups helps people understand that the church is people, and ministry happens wherever the church may be. In other words, “the medium is the message.”
There you have some of the most salient reasons for meeting in small groups. I did not touch on some of the disadvantages. There is no perfect way to do church or anything else. Sometimes it would be nice to have our own building, but when we consider everything that goes along with it, we are reminded of why we jettisoned ours years ago. If this sounds like what you have been looking for, why not check us out? There is always room for one more.
Following Christ is not a spectator sport. Each of us has a role to play and a job to do.
Bitterness imprisons its victims and subjects them to demonic harassment, a version of self-inflicted torture.
One of the most difficult and challenging times is when we are not sure of what to do next.
When the gospel accomplishes its purpose in us, it brings glory to our Lord and a sense of peace and contentment to us, while it furthers the advance of God’s kingdom.
Our heavenly Father has great interest in our lives and shows his children what he wants us to do.
Christianity is not a spectator sport. The Reformation renewed some very important truths of the faith that had been lost over time, one of which is the priesthood of the believer . This doctrine means that in the New Covenant there is no clergy-laity distinction. Everyone is called to ministry. All followers of Christ are called, equipped, and expected to partner with the Holy Spirit in the adventure of using their spiritual gifts, time, energy, finances – everything – to fish for people and encourage them to become followers of Christ and fishers of men in their own right. Every football and basketball season an interesting phenomenon takes place. People personally identify with their favorite teams. When their team is doing well, they feel good about themselves and become enthusiastic, vocal, and visible fans. What is so intriguing is that many of us think that we somehow acquire greater worth and prestige, if our team excels and does better than the other teams. It is almost as if we were the ones who are competing. All big sporting events are filled with such fans who get satisfaction out of watching others play the game. So it is with many people who attend churches. We all know that playing and spectating are vastly different. When we spectate, we can imagine ourselves making better decisions and better plays than the players on the court or the field, but the reality is that we are not playing. Jesus has invited his followers actually to participate in the greatest adventure of being his Spirit-filled and empowered representatives. Unfortunately most of us who call ourselves Christians are merely spectating fans. We may agree with the concept of being involved in the Great Commission, but we have fallen into the trap of being passive, sitting on the sidelines, hoping that someone else will lead our family member, neighbor, or friend to Christ and teach them how to follow him fully. Many Christians think that evangelism is inviting someone to church, where they will hear the preacher talk about Christ. We do not see ourselves as the one who can best share the gospel with them. However, the truth of the matter is that we cannot transfer our responsibility to fulfill the Great Commission to someone else. God does not give us the option of merely being fans or spectators. God asks us to be players – disciples and disciple makers. Not everyone is equally gifted in this area, but we are all asked to participate. Some may win thousands to Christ, while others may help only a few become followers of the Master over a lifetime. Sadly, a great number of those who call themselves Christians have never led even one person to faith in Christ. In some cases they have given up trying. This ought not be. Could this be because we do not even talk about Jesus in a serious way with anyone outside of church meetings? Suggestions Ask God to forgive us for succumbing to laziness, fear, and the spirit of the age that tells us to keep our faith to ourselves. Ask the Holy Spirit to stir in us the fire of enthusiasm for Jesus and the Gospel. Ask him to give us a love for those who live around you who do not yet know Christ. Familiarize ourselves with the Gospel. (I recommend The King Jesus Gospel by McKnight. You can read my summary by clicking here or you may wish to read my articles on the subject .) Pray for opportunities to speak meaningfully to people. Make it a priority to get to know the people in your neighborhood, at work, at the gym, at school, and wherever you have the opportunity to connect. As we spend time in conversation, we will begin to see how Jesus and the Gospel can help them. Our care for them may give us a platform from which to speak about Jesus to them. Visit people and have them over to our homes. The more time we spend with people, the greater the opportunity we provide for the Holy Spirit to work in the relationships. Offer to pray for people on the spot when a genuine need for God’s help surfaces. Join a group (or start one) whose focus is fishing for people and making disciples. In many cases this will be what some call a “missional” church, as opposed to an event-oriented spectator church. We need to be encouraged in the work of the Great Commission because, although it is rewarding, it can be difficult and discouraging at times. Never, never, never, never give up. Our heavenly reward will be great!
