If you’re seeking to understand the purpose of small groups, Why Small Groups? is a good book to begin with. It successfully provides the biblical basis for small groups. It’s edited by C.J. Mahaney and contains 7 chapters, each authored by different men. It also includes an essay that confronts the “What does this verse mean to you?” practice of bringing feelings or opinions into the interpretation of a passage.

The book addresses things like fellowship, small group leadership, correction, and conflicts, with an emphasis on sanctification throughout. One thing I love about the book is that small groups are continually addressed within the context of the local church. In fact, the last chapter is dedicated to looking at the “bigger picture” of small groups, and emphasizes the importance of having a biblical understanding of Scripture’s teaching concerning the church. It includes a section on para-church ministries and, while the author is very, very careful not to give the impression that he’s altogether dismissing them, he firmly affirms the importance and necessity of the biblical local church and authority of church leadership. The book leaves the reader with a powerful exhortation to love and be committed to their local church.

If I could change one thing in the book, it would be the section in the last chapter that addresses why some Christians may opt not to go to church, providing reasons like not feeling like it, worldly ambitions, love of leisure, etc. I really don’t want to sound too harsh, but I would also gently add “unregenerate” to that list, because (apart from simply being applicable) I think it’s commonplace and eternally significant enough to warrant the inclusion.

Because the book is written by different authors, you may notice some minor differences throughout, such as one author placing an emphasis on evangelistic outreach, while another has you focus on sanctification. However, this does not conflict with the overall biblical purpose for small groups that’s presented in the book. The question, “Why small groups?” will be clearly and thoroughly answered.

Scripture’s one another’s, as listed in Why Small Groups?, chapter 2:

1. Be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50)
2. Love one another (John 13:34)
3. Be joined to one another (Romans 12:5)
4. Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
5. Honor one another (Romans 12:10)
6. Rejoice with one another (Romans 12:15)
7. Weep with one another (Romans 12:15)
8. Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
9. Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
10. Counsel one another (Romans 15:14)
11. Greet one another (Romans 16:16)
12. Agree with each other (1 Corinthians 1:10)
13. Wait for one another (1 Corinthians 11:33)
14. Care for one another (1 Corinthians 12:25)
15. Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
16. Carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
17. Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
18. Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32)
19. Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)
20. Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)
21. Teach, admonish each other (Colossians 3:16)
22. Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
23. Build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
24. Spur one another on (Hebrews 10:24)
25. Offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9)
26. Minister gifts to one another (1 Peter 4:10)
27. Be humble toward one another (1 Peter 5:5)
28. Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16)
29. Pray for one another (James 5:16)
30. Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)

I definitely want to spend some time looking at these passages in context, and obey them as I consider the ways in which I can better care for my family in Christ.

Will you join me, as together we strive to honor God and be there for one another?

I began reading a book on small groups this week and found the first chapter to be so great that I just feel so inclined to post some of what I learned here. The book, titled “Why Small Groups?” is edited by C.J. Mahaney, and features 7 chapters each written by a different author, with the aim of together offering a complete picture on the biblical purpose behind small groups.

The first chapter is written by Mahaney, and directly addresses the question, “Why small groups?” Mahaney writes, “We attend a group without understanding its real purpose. We fail to understand why our small groups exist. And if we don’t know God’s purpose for small groups, we’re never going to achieve it.” But what is God’s purpose for small groups? Mahaney explains the importance of relationships and community in a believer’s life, and discusses how small groups (whether in a big church or small one) are a place where these intimate relationships can be formed. However, Mahaney writes that “small groups will only serve the church if they are founded on sound doctrine and sustained by a clear biblical purpose,” and so in addressing the purpose of small groups, he spends the rest of the chapter discussing 4 goals from Scripture: progressive sanctification, mutual care, fellowship, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

He proceeds with a definition of sanctification, and writes that small groups are an “ideal context” in which sanctification may occur. He then writes the following:

“Not every small group is intent on this purpose, however. Some put a higher priority on socializing than on sanctification. Others excel in open sharing and sympathetic listening, yet they never confront sin or challenge members to change. This is unacceptable. A group with an unbiblical purpose can do more harm than good. Groups that meet without the biblical purpose of pursuing character development have the tendency to reinforce, rather than confront, the sin and selfishness already present in us. None of us needs such reinforcement. Instead, we need to be provoked and challenged by others so we can change for the glory of God.”

After addressing sanctification, Mahaney provides a definition of justification, clearly distinguishing it from sanctification, because, as he says, “the rest of the book (and the rest of your Christian life!) depends on a clear understanding of these two doctrines.” After providing this distinction, he writes that the two doctrines, although different, are inseparable. “Sanctification is not optional,” he writes, “If one has truly been justified, that will be evident by a progressive work of sanctification in his life.”

Mahaney emphasizes the importance of community with regards to sanctification.  He writes, “It’s been sobering to observe others who have chosen not to participate in a local church or in small groups. They have demonstrated a distinct lack of growth. What’s worse, they haven’t even been aware of their spiritual condition and stagnation.”

He continues,

“If you have a passion for personal change-and every Christian should-then you will be glad when others challenge you to grow. This should not be seen as abnormal, or as the domain of those with an unusual level of maturity. It should be viewed as the normal process that follows new birth, expressed in a desire to conform to the image of Jesus Christ. We should be seriously and unapologetically committed to change.”

In discussing how God uses relationships to help us change, Mahaney uses the example of David and Nathan from Scripture, as Nathan confronted David for committing adultery with Bathsheba and killing her husband, after which David repented (2 Sam. 11-12). Relationships and accountability are really a great means through which we can receive help in our pursuit of holiness/change. How often I am blind to my own sin, and need others to point it out to me. It would be foolish of me to think that I never need to be corrected (Proverbs 12:1).

Mahaney writes that as relationships are one means through which God sanctifies us, the application of God’s Word is another. He uses a great illustration found in James 1:22-24 to elaborate on this, and continues with these words on application that were incredibly convicting:

“Those who merely listen to the word, Sunday after Sunday, but fail to apply the word to their lives, will experience an increasing degree of self-deception rather than progressive sanctification. And yet isn’t it interesting that they deceive only themselves? Everyone else knows that they are merely listening and not obeying, not maturing. It’s as obvious to them as it would be if we woke up tomorrow morning, glanced in the mirror, and then walked away without ever touching the comb, the washcloth, or the toothbrush.”

Continuing in his discussion on application, Mahaney says that one of the main purposes of small groups is indeed application. Application is essential, but, of course, application arises from the accurate interpretation of God’s Word. He writes, “Some people think ‘Bible study’ means swapping their personal opinions and preferences. That’s bogus. We don’t gather to exchange opinions; we gather to learn God’s truth.

He then addresses “mutual care.” As much as I want to add a quote in here, in an attempt not to go too long, I’ll refrain and simply say that, essentially, he writes that small groups are a great context in which the one another’s in Scripture could be lived out.

Next up, fellowship. The word fellowship is used a lot, and Mahaney provides a clear explanation of what fellowship really is. What makes our fellowship fellowship, is our unity in Christ. I will include an extended quote by Mahaney on this simply because I don’t think I can get the point across as effectively as he does.

“Fellowship is not just another word for social activity . . . Social activities can’t be equated or confused with fellowship. They are distinctly different. Nothing compares to the fellowship we enjoy when we worship together, study and apply Scripture together, encourage and correct each other, and communicate to one another our current experience of God. Nothing. Social activities could create a context for fellowship, but they are a place to begin–not a place to remain. When I spend an extended time with another Christian, my desire is that we know fellowship. I want to hear of his relationship with God, and how God is revealing himself to him. I want to communicate my current experience of God as well, and impart a fresh passion for God. Is that your desire? If someone spent an afternoon with you, would he or she leave with a fresh understanding of and passion for God? If not, you need to change.”

Mahaney further asks if our small groups (as well as our meetings outside of small group) characterize true fellowship. This chapter really challenged me to evaluate my life and relationships in light of these questions.

Mahaney closes the chapter by talking about the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and writes, “Apart from his presence, there’s no point in meeting.”

Before I attend a small group, I want to acknowledge and express my dependence upon God who, through His Spirit, conforms us to the image of His Son. Do we seek His help, do we consider our utter dependence upon His enablement and empowerment to live (and help each other live) victorious lives in Christ?

I learned a lot from this chapter, and really hope that what I learned and (although this post is no substitute for the chapter) what you learned these past few minutes reading this, will be used by the Holy Spirit to stir us towards a biblical pursuit of holiness, community, and small groups, for the glory of God. I would like to post some of what I learn from forthcoming chapters as well, but I’ll really strive towards brevity. A more in-depth analysis is what the book is for.