WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “SMALL GROUPS”?
The small group is the basic building block of the life of the local congregation and is fundamental to the
development of individual and corporate Christian lifestyle.
The small group has always been a significant force for renewal in the Christian church, but its place is being rediscovered again in our time. In the last four decades or more, what Hobart Mowrer calls ‘quiet revolution’ has been taking place. Around the world, one of the signs of hope in the Christian church has been the renewal being brought to individuals and Christian communities through the formation of small groups.
WHY SMALL GROUPS?
1. Discipleship occurs in life on life situations.
- Through learning, eating, celebrating, and grieving together scripture is brought to life and place sharing occurs. In shared spaces we encounter the living Christ in our relationships.
2. Smaller groups are more effective.
- The power of a small group is not the content provided but the relationships that develop. The conversational style of small groups facilitates a space for vulnerability to occur, and intimacy and accountability to flow. Questions and answers in a safe space allows for personal discovery and gospel transformation to follow. In a smaller setting we are transformed both individually and as a whole.
3. Small groups take us outside of our church walls and into the community.
- The atmosphere of a small group is a great entry point for a visitor or person unfamiliar with church. Meeting in a home and with fewer people is more comfortable than a large group setting with unfamiliar rituals and routines. The faith venue is the connecting point between the church and the community.
Check out our Small Group Starter Curriculum … This six-week study creates a culture within the group that reflects GCI values and establishes a safe space for cultivating deeper relationships with Christ and one another.