Biblical Principle #3

God’s people are discipled best by participation in groups, not acting as isolated individuals.

I’m a runner. I like to run alone. All alone. Away from the phone, the computer, the press of things to do, the noise. Everything instantly becomes quiet after I put on my running shoes and head out the door. Everything except my breath, that is.

I don’t mind being alone. I can hear God when I’m alone. The still, small voice becomes more audible. 

But as great as this sounds, I’m not created to be alone. After saying, “It is good. It is good. It is good. It is good. It is good. It is good” (that was six times), God finally admitted to a mistake or rather an uncompleted project. “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18).

And I can support this biblical truth in verse! Yes, I like to run alone. Yes, I like to hear God’s voice when I’m alone. Yes, I don’t mind not being disturbed for a period of time. But if I must be truthful, I have to admit that I just LOVE being called to a small group gathering after everything has been prepared – for dinner! 

Don’t you? There’s something social about food. In the same way, there is something social about human beings, about God’s completed creation, about the Kingdom of God, about Christian discipleship.  

The problem though persists at the point of inconvenience, vulnerability and accountability. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather people see and know my great strengths rather than my weaknesses. I’d rather ask God to privately point out my sin and shortcomings than have other people publically point them out for me. But, the truth is, that we need others to know, to see, to hear, to change, to eat, to live. 

So, this is why “God’s people are discipled best by participation in groups, not acting as isolated individuals.”

Christianity is not a solo sport. From the creation of earth and creatures, plants and animals, male and female, God designed us for a wholistic community. Gazing way into the future at the picture of heaven, of the Kingdom of God, of all eternity, God designs us to join His presence in community.  So, get used to it! 

No closet secretes.          Instead: Freeing openness.

No hidden sin.                 Instead: Confessed and forgiven sin.

No absolute privacy.        Instead: Respected individuality.

No lonely separateness.   Instead: Loving community.

The heart of Jesus’ strategy was in the Twelve. Jesus surrounded himself with people who were not perfect but willing to be changed. The Twelve followed Jesus in all kinds of situations and circumstances. The NT community and strategy and long range plan depended on this circle of relationships. 

The heart of John Wesley’s strategy was in the Class. Wesley surrounded himself with people who were not perfect but willing to be changed. The Classes met with Wesley or with an appointed leader in all kinds of life situations and circumstances. The Methodist/Wesleyan community and development and world wide movement depended on these small Class groups of a few people each.

The heart of today’s apostolic strategy is in a small group of trusted people. Your leadership will depend on how you surround yourself with people who are not perfect but willing to be changed into the image of God. These people will follow you and you will learn from them in and within all kinds of situations and circumstances – the greatest classroom. God’s powerful church and His Apostolic development and His eternal plan depend on your submission to a few others. 

The heart of most of us is in individuality. We surround ourselves with things we like and like to do which are not perfect but are always changing. To keep us away from boredom and inoculated against the deep, private pains we often feel, we like to experience all kinds of life situations and circumstances. Our personal happiness and interests and long range goals depend on our own self sufficient individuality.

So, what’s it going to be? It’s rather painful to be discipled. Throughout my years I’ve been part of groups. But the most freeing groups for me have also been the most painful. The more I got to know the guys around me, the more they got to know me. Soon, it seems like everyone knows my weaknesses – I struggle with details, I can get overburdened with too much to do, I can allow pride to sneak in and affect my behavior, I am tempted to take a short cut at times.

But at the same time, these people who really know me, really love me and accept me. They encourage me to greater heights, to better things, to a deeper relationship with God. I am prayed for. I am cared for. I don’t have to put on an image or prove anything to anyone. I am encouraged to persist when I feel like giving up. I feel the hand of God through the hand of His people around me. 

This is discipleship. This is spiritual growth. This is what Jesus asked his Twelve to do, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). And this is not done all alone.

Small groups are the heart of the Church. It is here that a community of love can be built, seen, touched and reproduced. This is where the principles of the Kingdom of God can be learned, experienced and applied. The church is really where two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus.

God’s people are discipled best by participation in groups, not acting as isolated individuals.

• Do you embrace the biblical principle of groups?
• Are you an individualist?
• Do you find your churches developing small groups?
• How can you encourage your churches to develop small groups?
• With apprentice leaders?

Comments

[Beth Cullison]

Thanks Jerry. Thanks for the inspired writing.

Tons of truth and good reminders. I'll have to think about this for the next 10 years... :)