About half of Summit Church is involved in a small group of some sort. That represents close to two thousand people, but we will keep working until half turns into all. In a big church like ours, it’s essential for believers to meet with each other throughout the week for discipleship and accountability; to know and be known as we walk through life in relationship with Christ.
Here’s Rick Warren’s take on the necessity of small groups. Don’t worry, the words “purpose-driven” do not appear below.
1. It’s the classroom for learning how to get along in God’s family. It’s a lab for practicing unselfish, sympathetic love. You learn to care about others and share the experiences of others: ”If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share its honor” (1 Cor. 12:26 NCV). Only in regular contact with ordinary, imperfect believers can we learn real fellowship and experience the connection God intends for us to have (Eph 4:16, Rom. 12:4-5, Col. 2:19, 1 Cor. 12:26).
REAL fellowship is being as committed to each other as we are to jesus Christ: ”Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16).
2. A small group helps me develop spiritual muscle. You’ll never grow to maturity just by attending worship services and being a passive spectator.
Over fifty times in the New Testament, the phrase “one another” or “each other” is used. We’re commanded to love each other, pray for each other, encourage, admonish, greet, serve, teach, accept and honor each other, bear each other’s burdens, forgive, submit to, and be devoted to each other, and many other mutual tasks!
Isolation breeds self-deception. It’s easy to fool ourselves into thinking we’re mature if there is no one to challenge us. Real maturity shows up in relationships.
3. A small group confirms my identity as a genuine believer. I can’t claim to be following Christ if I’m not committed to any specific group of disciples. Jesus said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT). When we come together in love as a small group from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and social status, it’s a witness to the world (Galatians 3:28, John 17:21)
4. A small group is the best way to take my God-given mission into the world. When Jesus walked the earth, even he had a small group! Today the church is Christ’s Body on earth. We’re not just to love each other; we’re to take that love together to the rest of the world. We’re his hands, his feet, his eyes, and his heart. He works through us in the world.
5. A small group will help keep me from spiritually backsliding. None of us are immune to temptation. Given the right situation, you and I are capable of any sin. God knows this, so he has assigned us as individuals the responsibility of keeping each other on track (Heb 3:13).
“Mind your own business” is NOT a Christian idea when it comes to helping each other! If you know someone who is wavering spiritually right now, it’s your responsibility to go after them and bring them back into the fellowship.
6. The Body of Christ needs me! You have a background and experiences that other people can learn from and draw strength from! God has a unique role for you to play in his family and he’s “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church” (1 Cor. 12:7).