Why Small Groups May Be the Wave of the Future: Jesus Certified
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:20 (NLT)
Jesus did not have to make the above remark. Why did he say it? I imagine that, since he was well aware of man’s propensity to measure success by numbers, he wanted to encourage small groups of Christians by giving them his official stamp of approval. He did not say, “You know, if you can get together at least twelve, I will make it a point to be there, and if you can gather over 200, I am all in.”
It is important that we not allow ourselves to be measured and defined by our culture, or we might become discouraged if we are small.
I remember clearly when the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart to throw away every “report card,” every form of measurement, and simply serve the Lord. How liberating!
Small groups are near and dear to the Lord’s heart, and the more intense the persecution, the smaller the group will need to be. Two is the least amount needed to form a group, and that is the minimum number that Jesus needs to show up. Actually he is with each individual believer, but there is a special experience of God in a gathering.
Smaller groups allow for more personal interchange and greater participation, too.
Once we get past any culturally negative connotation of being small, we can begin to more fully appreciate the benefits going micro.
I know that when we only have a very few, we can usually count on something special taking place. Small groups are officially approved by our Lord.
