What Does a Small Group Do?
07/05/2019 .
Our Saddleback Small Groups do the same things that Small Groups did in the Early Church. We didn’t invent these practices. We took them from the Bible.
Acts 2:42-47 (NIV) gives us a clear model of what Small Groups did:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
In this Scripture, we observe 8 Practices by Small Groups in the Early Church:
- They Studied the Bible Together
People met in homes and discussed what the apostles were teaching in the Temple Courts. Today, we call the apostles teaching, the New Testament. When our Small Groups study the Bible, we’re doing the same thing that the Early Church did.
We offer many free Video Bible Studies you may want to try with your group. You may also want to try our Talk It Over resource. It’s downloadable discussion guide based on the previous weekend’s sermon.
- They Fellowshipped Together
They developed and deepened relationships with each other. Fellowship is the primary purpose of our Small Groups.
- They Celebrated Communion Together
Every time the Lord’s Supper was observed in the Bible, it was taken in a Small Group. We authorize our Small Groups to take Communion anytime they want. The only stipulation is that the Lord’s Supper is to be taken by Christians who are right with God and others.
To get a helpful resource for groups looking to celebrate Communion, Click Here.
- They Prayed Together
Prayer is powerful and an important part of any Small Group.
- They Helped Each Other Together
Recognizing the other believers as brothers and sisters in the family of God, they shared all they had so that all could benefit from God's gifts. As part of God's spiritual family, our Small Groups see their responsibility to help each other in practical ways.
- They Ate Together
Good food just makes everything better! Some of our Small Groups serve snacks and some of them serve meals where everybody brings something.
- They Praised God Together
The Early Church celebrated God and sang songs of worship to Him in their homes. Our Small Groups do the same thing. Some turn on a worship playlist or music video, while others will play an instrument and sing.
- They Brought Unbelievers to Jesus Together
A healthy Christian community attracts people to Christ. Our Small Groups pray for and love on those who do not know Jesus.
It’s important to note that not all these actions took place at every Small Group meeting, but rather they did these things over an extended period of time.
Notice that the 5 purposes are represented in each of these 8 Small Group practices: Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, Evangelism, and Worship.
Now, Consider your Small Group:
Which one of these practices is your group most passionate about?
Which one do you need to improve on or start doing?
