Our goal for the community groups is to provide an opportunity for everyone to have connections with others that are primarily focussed on meeting spiritual needs. It is difficult to form that type of relationship at Sunday services, and even more difficult in our current situation.
The Bible is clear that we are to care for one another. Philippians 2:2-4 says, “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” But how can we facilitate this with a diversity of people—some that are brand-new to the faith or to our church, and others who have been around for years or decades?
When I shared the S.O.U.L. acronym as a tool to review how we are doing spiritually, I mentioned that in our small groups, and when used at church, our answers should be brief. Learning how to respond in a meaningful but also appropriate and brief way is a skill that needs to be learned. In most groups there are about 8 to 12 people. Our goal is to make the groups sustainable by limiting the time to one hour (1 ½ if a meal is served). This hour is to be divided into a third discussing a sermon highlight, a third sharing where we are spiritually, and a third in group prayer. This time limit means each person will only have a couple of minutes in each segment.
This is not meant to limit depth or more lengthy discussions and relationship building. Rather it is meant to “prime the pump” and enable those who may be unfamiliar, or uncomfortable, sharing spiritually in a group. As the groups develop relationships and maturity, there will be opportunities for follow-up outside of the group setting that would allow for more in-depth ministry. But we want to maintain a safe atmosphere where people can share at the level they are comfortable with and not fear being obligated to divulge more.
Over time, these simple questions with brief answers will build a regular spiritual checkup and create a community that is praying for one another and available for one another as we all journey together in the Kingdom.
I encourage you to develop a habit of daily evaluating if you are moving away from God, stuck, or moving toward God in your relationship with Scripture, Others, Upward, and Life. And then let’s learn together how to share this with each other as a way to maintain a community in pursuit of spiritual growth. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.”