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| The Value of Small-Group Bible Studies - by Mike Wilson |
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If Christians today use only a limited number of options in which to showcase the gospel, we may not be allowing its tremendous power to be released in our respective communities. We can shout that we have the truth, but if no one hears what we have to say, what good will it do? At a time when churches should be booming, welcoming outsiders to hear the gospel, it seems that many are clueless as to how to put out the welcome mat.
The apostle Paul’s method included both public and semi-private venues. He reminded the elders of the church at Ephesus: "You yourselves know... how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house" (Acts 20:20). In the New Testament period, an important cell group in many congregations was the "household," which included extended family members, slaves and even business partners. After churches had formed, such household markers continued on as sub-strata points of identification (cf. I Cor. 1:11,16; 16:15; Phil. 4:22; et al.). One can well imagine that these household groups became the hub for studies of God’s word, as well as meeting places for nascent congregations (Acts 16:40; Rom. 16:23). After all, since few if any churches owned corporate property, house-to-house teaching was particularly important.
There are other factors, however, that make small group studies vital to the Lord’s work. The group dynamics are different in a smaller, less formal setting than they are in a large crowd. Jesus would often teach the multitudes and then reinforce a point with His disciples in semi-privacy. Small groups offer enhanced opportunities for social bonding in a less threatening environment. More importantly, they enable teachers to focus more personal attention on the needs of individuals.
Recent church growth studies have emphasized the importance of small groups as particularly effective in our own culture. We live in an age of alienation. People have lost their sense of community. In such an environment, small groups serve three vital purposes for growing congregations: 1) entry points for non-members; 2) cohesiveness-builders for new and established members; and 3) training grounds for developing teachers.
In American culture today, a small group Bible study in someone’s house is probably a much more effective entry point for a typical unbeliever than a worship assembly or a traditional gospel meeting. Many outsiders who would not feel comfortable going to a church building will accept an invitation to a neighbor’s home. Moreover, the setting is much more conducive to an unbeliever forming genuine relationships with a small gathering of Christians as opposed to exchanging superficial formalities with a larger number of "strangers" in an unfamiliar church environment. Unfortunately, many congregations relegate small-group home classes to peripheral or extra-curricular status. Growing churches, on the other hand, typically offer an ever-increasing number of small group classes. Instead of looking at them as a supplement to the work, they view them as central to a purpose that is strategically executed.
How do you get started? Some suggestions are in order.
1) Avoid a big program rollout. Big programs always die. Sustainable changes must be made incrementally. Start small and grow naturally. When a small class of eight or ten people grows to fifteen or sixteen regular attendees, divide into two groups, and start the process all over again. Multiplication of groups must be self-sustainable, as participants themselves see the overwhelming value of this approach and are willing to voluntarily commit to it on their own.
2) Don’t over-commit key people. Hosts, teachers and others who can be counted on as regular supporters have only so much time before family life suffers or burnout takes hold. Start out modestly, perhaps once a month, with only one or two classes, and grow as momentum picks up. Evangelists, elders and qualified teachers can teach the same material to multiple groups in the same month. Another possible approach is to hold home studies in lieu of centralized midweek classes.
3) While building up members, be especially attuned to the needs of visiting unbelievers. If one of the major goals is to expose neighbors to the gospel, it is not the time to debate complex issues that would confuse them and drive them away. "Love your neighbor as yourself." Put yourself in his shoes, and try to visualize what he may be thinking about concepts that are new to him. Encourage all Christian participants to articulate their points with a great deal of sensitivity toward the needs of visitors (Col. 4:5-6).
4) Be flexible with regard to material. One advantage of the small group is that it allows for unstructured structure. One does not need to meet a tight teaching schedule. A teacher can divert somewhat, as special needs arise, so long as valuable progress is made. In fact, the less threatening nature of a small group might help some people to verbally share their faith more openly and pray more intensely than they feel comfortable doing in a more formal environment.
5) Don’t lecture. The dynamics of small groups allow for more give-and-take. A certain amount of skill and solid grounding in the faith are required to lead a healthy discussion of God’s truth, while avoiding a degenerative free-for-all, but this is not normally the forum for an uninterrupted lecture.
6) Finally, there must be a commitment on the part of a congregation’s leadership. Where no goals are set, no workers are trained, no vision is shared, and no follow-up procedures are in place, failure is guaranteed! Moreover, elders will want to make sure that truth is taught and that spiritual progress is being made as a network of small groups emerges. It would be wise to implement some sort of tracking system.
If small groups are given the importance they deserve, there is tremendous potential for good. Members will be able to bring up pressing issues in their lives and immediate personal concerns. Enthusiasm will mount. Believers will invite non-Christian friends. One study found that the multiplication of small groups is without doubt the most important indicator of church growth. Moreover, the study’s author says, "Our research confirms that the larger a church becomes, the more decisive the small group principle will be with respect to her further growth."
Michael C. Wilson is an Associate Editor of Focus Magazine. He has published numerous articles among them are:
Chapters on "The Meaning of Adultery" and "Are You Loosed?" in Is It Lawful? A comprehensive study of divorce, 1989.
"Revealing the Mystery," God's Work in God's Way: Florida College Annual Lectures, 1991.
A number of articles for Guardian of Truth, Christianity Magazine and Faith Today.
Monthly columnist for Christianity Magazine ("Text Files"), January '97 to December 98.
Associate editor for Focus Magazine, January '97 to present.
"The Real Jesus," A Place to Stand, Florida College Annual Lectures, 1999.
He is currently preaching in Salem, Oregon.
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