Growth in Small Groups

One of the encouraging signs seen in many sectors of the American church is the reappearance of lay ministry. This biblical concept that characterized the church of God in the first century is now being rediscovered as God’s plan for the church for all time. More and more pastors are calling forth the ministry gifts that reside in the membership of the church. The role of the pastor as the equipper of the laity is being viewed with new excitement. The example of Christ as trainer of the twelve, and the biblical injunction of Ephesians 4:11-12 (“some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service,” NIV) is being taken seriously! The various ministries that God places before the church are being shared with the people of the congregation. Pastors and people are becoming united in the mutual task of ministry.

It is abundantly clear that the church today needs to follow the early Christian church also in its practice of koinonia. The New Testament often portrays the gathering of the believers as a house church. Hebrews 10:24-25 indicates the necessity of the interaction with other believers such as can best happen in a small group when it states, “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds . . . Let us encourage one another.”