A small group should be a Christian Micro-Community. Many small groups almost become a Christian Micro-Community. Most of the group is made up of Christians but they don’t quite achieve becoming a community because group members are either consciously or subconsciously unwilling to dive into the biblical expectations that feel awkward and that contradict the culture that has been established in most churches.
If every group member will make the following five biblical expectations part of their own lives, their group will experience group life like they never have before.
- Consistent Attendance at Small Group Gatherings… The personality of any small group is made up of the individual personalities in that group. When the makeup of the group changes each week the group never establishes a group personality. This hinders every conversation and may keep the group from ever experiencing what it means to be one in purpose and spirit.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10: 24 – 25 - A Commitment to Meet One Another’s Needs… A group will never experience what it means to be a community until each group member commits to meeting the needs of other group members at all costs. Living out Acts 2: 44 – 45 is for many groups the first step to becoming more than just friends.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Acts 2: 44 – 45 - A Willingness to Confess Sin and Pray for One Another… When an entire small group is willing to acknowledge that all of us sin and that we need the prayers of others to overcome our sinning a group will bond in amazing ways. I would suggest that a group subgroup by gender if there is going to be a time when group members are given the opportunity to confess their sin struggles with one another.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 - A Commitment to Forgive One Another… Conflict always accompanies honesty and honesty is one of the major goals of group life. If a group is going to flourish, group members must be willing to do whatever is necessary in the forgiveness process. This will not only grow the individual, it will also create bonds between group members that are beyond comprehension.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3: 13 - A Commitment to be a Biblically Functioning Community… In order for a small group to become a community it is necessary that they share common values, beliefs, and expectations. In order for this to happen they need a guiding document. God gave us that document when He gave us the bible.
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
