Article by Ana Redding
How are church small groups like a family pool? Imagine small children being taken to the ocean to be trained, immediately after they expressed their desire to become life-guards. No questions asked, including “Can you swim?”, and off they go to be dropped in a vast, deep expansion of water…Exciting at first, maybe, but also scary, dangerous and potentially deadly!
The absurdity of this scenario is unquestionable because the possibility of drowning is a very tangible one. It would be considered an irresponsible and reckless method, and the adults involved would be judged for failing to create a safe learning environment and faltering in their duty of care. However, I would like to propose to you that we can also use this scenario to illustrate what happens in many large churches worldwide, especially in the Western world.
Infant believers, taking their first steps in the faith, are asked to ‘navigate’ their newfound identity within large crowds. As mere attendees, weekly passive listeners of the Word, looking at other people’s backs for two hours and not always being given opportunities to engage in deeper and more meaningful connections with the brothers and sisters of their newfound Family. That was never the plan. We were not called to make converts, we were commissioned to make disciples, and Jesus modeled discipleship in a very different way. He got close to the ones He wanted to train, grow and equip. He did life with them to the point He could call them friends. When Peter dared to walk on the water, following on the footsteps of His Master, Jesus was there, at arm’s reach, holding his disciple’s hand during what was a life-changing experience for Peter.
Why am I writing about this? Two reasons:
1- I have previously gone through this experience myself (not walking on water but trying to integrate into large churches);
2- This week, at pastorscoach.com, I have been listening to a series about small groups, taught by Michael Brodeur, that sheds light into a different, more Christ-like way of doing things.
Small groups can become a place where meaningful connections can be forged with the purpose to guide people to maturity. No longer as mere attendees but as hands-on learners, who discover their identity and purpose as they relate closely with others and are discipled to become connected participants. In this safe context, we can create opportunities for people to activate their God-given gifts and contribute to the full expression of Christ to be manifested. It becomes a support network but also a training ground. From the children’s pool to the Olympic pool, precept upon precept, from glory to glory, people are purposefully developed and equipped, taught to “swim” and given multiple opportunities to practice before they are dropped in the deep end, on their own. In other words, the small group, when strategically implemented, can become a family where people can belong and be nurtured but also challenged to attain their full potential in Christ. A place where everyone is stretched and equipped to be deployed
