~ by Pastor Rob Krause

As I type these different articles, I’d like to again repeat the emphasis on the why for small group ministry much more than the how. Many Churches large and small conduct various types of small group ministry but if you ask them why? the responses will generally sound like:

1. Other Churches are doing it — gotta’ keep up approach.
2. We want to grow our Church — magic beans approach.
3. The people wanted it — wind’s blowing that way approach.
4. We’re trying it out – test-driving a Ferrari but very disappointed it doesn’t come in four doors so we’re not sure we’re going to keep it approach.

But rarely will you be able to mine-out a biblical understanding or uncover a comprehensive^{[1] 1} foundation for why this function of the Church is needed or practiced.

If you know why you’re conducting and facilitating small group ministry, you will have a great understanding of what is needed and what isn’t. The what always follows the why. Many guys don’t know what to do because they don’t know why they’re doing it already.

It is my firm belief that men need to capture the godly values that are fleshed-out through small group ministry before they ask for the tricks of the trade. What do small groups ultimately strive for? In other words, God has an over-arching heartbeat throughout the Scriptures that we need to tap into and listen to so that we might understand HIS VISION for community & utilize the tools of small group ministry TO KNOW AND TO REALIZE WHAT GOD WANTS. We’re not just throwing programs together here — we’re gaining the heartbeat of God for the Church and the Kingdom. We’re enabling people to come to the Tent of Meeting. It goes so much farther beyond holding a few meetings in homes.

Why does God want you to have small groups? Why does God want true community among His people so eagerly? Why do I need you and you me? Why did God create the family and the Church to function like one? Why will the world know that Jesus is sent from the Father by how we love one another?

1. when I use the word comprehensive, I mean it in a way that small group ministry is described as an intricate part of the biblical pattern for the whole Church. It’s usually a tack-on program; a surgically sewn-on third arm which is not only hideous and extremely uncomfortable, but also difficult to buy shirts for. [[2] back]