In the last 50 years one of the most powerful things I have seen the Holy Spirit do in the life of the Christian Church lies in the development of the small group. Every church, it strikes me, offers both to guests and members the opportunity to join a weekly small group to pray together and to reflect on the Scriptures or a great Christian book. I have often felt that the small group is evidenced in one of the earliest stories about the life of Jesus Christ, in the story of the Samaritan woman Jesus meets at Jacob’s Well in the city of Sychar. Jesus ends up exposing to this woman that He knows, as only Jesus could know, that she has been unfaithful to her husband by having sexual relations with other men. The fact that Jesus knows this woman’s life history so well is convincing evidence to her that Jesus is who He says He is, and so she leaves Jesus at the well alone to run back into the city to tell others all about this Jewish man she met at the well who is from God.
Then follows the creation of small groups that Jesus leads for two days:
“39 Many Samaritans from that city believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I have ever done.’ 40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His word. 42 They said to the woman, ‘It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the Savior of the world’” John 4:39-42. The genius, the grace, the blessing of the small group is clearly exposed here: people gather in small groups so that “many more believe because of the Word of Jesus” (verse 41). Christians meet in small groups to grow in their knowledge of and relationship with and love of Jesus Christ. The Word of God, the Scriptures, is the only acceptable foundation of all small group meetings. And when you make a commitment to join a small group make sure that the focus is exclusively on Jesus! If so, then you will quickly find out for yourself that it is no longer because of what you hear others believe about Jesus, but you hear for yourselves, and you know that this Jesus Christ is truly the Savior of the world!
If you are not part of a group, join one.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
From the Bible:
“And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus” Acts 5:42.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” Hebrews 10:24-25.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them”
Matthew 18:20.
“And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common” Acts 2:40-47.
“When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up” 1 Corinthians 4:26.
“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved”
Acts 2:46-47.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” Matthew 28:19-20.
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