Why Small Group BIble Studies?

The other day a pastor, recently hired to oversee the development of a network of small groups in his church, called to discuss how to do this job. Since he called basically to pick my brains, he asked, "Why should we have small groups anyway?" I'm glad he asked.

First of all, for fellowship and ministry to one another. In a large congregation it is very difficult to get to know everyone. As our membership now exceeds 1700, it's quite impossible even to say "Good morning" to everyone. If people are going to develop meaningful relationshps with one another they have to be in smaller groups so that they can get to know at least a small number of people in greater depth.

The Psalmist said, "He sets the lonely in families." Sometimes a family actually adopts a lonely person and lets him or her be part of their family activities. Most often, the church becomes the lonely person's family. We can practice being the Lord's family best in family-sized groups. Here at Tenth Church over the years, members of small groups have ministered to one another in great depth, particularly as various members experienced trials, sickness, hardship even the prospect of death. At least two of our groups have ministered to their members right up until their dying moments.

Although not everyone's needs are life and death matters, the Scripture tells us to "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." It is generally in small groups that people feel freest to share their burdens and to ask for prayer and support and encouragement. Generally it is the people in one's small group that pray for a person in difficulty and ask for updates each time that they meet. They keep the person accountable for following through with his or her responsibility for their well being and their spiritual development, and in times of difficulty are there for their member who may be hurting. This is, after all, the place where the "Body Life" of the church takes place.

Small groups exist for more than just the care and nurture of members. We'll consider more aspects of small group ministry in another edition. Stay tuned!