We have just finished up our mid-week study of the Letter of James and are getting ready to announce more small group opportunities, which we are calling Growth Groups. I want to encourage your participation by reminding you of why we believe this is an essential part of our discipleship plan. When we were studying the book of Acts we saw in chapter 2 that the early church was not only devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer, but that their devotion to these things found expression in the large group gathering in the temple and in smaller groups meeting in homes as well (Acts 2:37-47). Later in Acts chapter 17 the Bereans are commended for daily searching the scripture together (vv.10-12). We recognize that we need more than just our Sunday morning gathering if we are to be growing as disciples like we ought to be. Growth Groups are the primary opportunity our church is providing to meet that need.
I also want to share with you an encouragement from Scott Hubbard at Desiring God. In addition to the argument above from Scripture for small group ministry, there is also an argument from church history that commends the practice. But more importantly there are practical benefits to small groups that are not as easily achieved in the large group, which he calls “Four Marks of Daring Community.” Click the link and find out what you have been missing, and be sure to join a Growth Group.
