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“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25.
Most people would assume that “let is not neglect our meeting together” from Hebrews 10 is talking about gathering corporately for worship on Sundays. It would seem to make sense. Meeting on Sundays for worship is certainly important. But the verse also talks about motivating one another toward love and good deeds. With our Sunday service times, space constraints, and time restraints, it is hard to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. We need additional avenues and opportunities for building community within the church.
One of those ways is small groups. It is very difficult to live the life God intended us to live without the help and support of people we trust. If you are finding that difficult to believe consider for a moment what Galatians 6: 2 says: “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. The NIV says “carry” while the ESV instructs us to “bear one another’s burdens.” The Bible also commands us to love, pray, encourage and serve each other.
Small groups are the most effective tool we have to fulfill the commands I just listed. Small groups are a way to offer Christian love and support to others. People are in search of meaningful relationships. With Christ as the center of small groups, they can find those meaningful relationships. Small groups can provide the environment where we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Small group ministry is not a new concept. Jesus and his twelve disciples are a paradigm for Christian community. Jesus’ regular meetings with his twelve disciples are a clear example of a small group at work. Not only did the disciples benefit from this experience, but Jesus also received close fellowship with this group. “Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach,” (Mark 3:14).
Join a group today if you are not a member of a group already.
Discussion questions:
- What is the principle reason you have not joined a small group? Is it enough of a reason to not participate in deep, sustained connections with other believers?
- Do you believe you can experience authentic biblical community outside of small groups
- Pray and ask God to guide you to the best group for you.