Are all small groups equally beneficial?

The answer to the question in the title of this post depends on how you define the goal of small groups. Small groups can be a tool to draw people into a sense of belonging rather than consuming. This can be easily identified by how they refer to the church. Do they call it YOUR church or OUR church?
Small groups can be a tool to of spiritual formation or discipleship. Ideas are shared, tough questions are asked, and truth replaces the lies we believe as individuals are conformed to the image of Christ.
Small groups can be a tool for social change. The cumulative result of shared effort is greater than the sum of individual contributions. Fatigue and simple routine can easily manifest when a person challenges an issue alone, but mutual encouragement and creativity flourish when there is a shared responsibility for results.
Small groups can be a tool for behavior modification, as evidenced in thousands of self-help and 12 step groups around the globe.

This study provides 4 descriptions of the effectiveness of groups that caught my attention.
1. "Members of small groups...are more likely to attend worship, tithe and volunteer"
2. "Any type of small group will benefit your church...because of the belonging and commitment they foster"
3. "Frequency of attendance is more important for successful small groups than is length of attendance."
4. "The best way to get people into small groups is by personal invitation"

Does your experience coincide with these findings? As you reflect on your past have you found participation, belonging, frequency, and personal invitation to positively influence your obedience to and sense of intimacy with Christ?

Using Bible Software to Gain Understanding.

Here is a project for a course I am taking in Biblical Greek.


If the Ustream quality is difficult to watch, here is a link to another format with no video of me :)

http://www.screencast.com/t/gnZ2chF6

Bible Studies vs. Small Groups

I find myself frequently correcting people when they refer to small groups as "Home Bible Studies". Why? What is the difference?

I also use the term "Spiritual Formation" where many people traditionally refer to "discipleship." I believe "Spiritual Formation" is more attentive of the need to transform the whole person (mind, will, emotion, and behavior) where too many people consider themselves to have been "discipled" and all they mean is "I went through a study book with a person one-on-one."

First, let me say that there IS a place for group study! That is why we hold classes and seminars for Adults that we call CSI:Elkhorn (Character, Skills & Instruction).

The difference between a "class/study" and a "group" is a matter of emphasis. In a "class/Bible Study" the focus is on the CONTENT with a side element of COMMUNITY. In a "group" the focus is on the COMMUNITY with a side element of CONTENT.

My friend TJ does a great job of describing the transformation that happens in true community in this post on his blog.

More thoughts on Community

A couple of posts back I wrote about the value of community as an instrument of spiritual formation. Today I just found another post on a blog I follow that goes into a little more detail on the value of reciprocal living.

http://leadingfromthesandbox.blogspot.com/2010/06/powerful-transparency.html

Sincere Appreciation

With today's post I would like to sincerely extend a word of appreciation to those who are making disciples of others.

Human tendency is to hold expectations that are often exceeded or undermined by others. When expectations are met, we usually respond with politeness. When expectations are unmet we tend to react with public or hidden murmuring. When expectations are exceeded we feel the genuine nature of the expression.

Years ago our staff made a conscious decision to downplay the recognition of "Clergy Appreciation Month" in October. For many people it had become obligatory and carried about as much emotion as the 172 people who write "Happy Birthday" on your facebook wall simply because there is a box on the right side of the screen that says "wish....a happy birthday on...." We found that those who truly appreciate their clergy were finding ways throughout the year to say an encouraging word, or send a kind email detailing a specific blessing, or bringing a personal trinket when they saw something that reminded them of one of us. I don't doubt that people were genuine with the words that they said in October. But the unexpected deeds seemed to better communicate the heart of gratitude.

Monday was full of parades and programs with lack-luster attendance designed to express appreciation for American military personnel. My experience has been that a soldier would prefer receive 5 personal handshakes and a thank you given eye to eye, rather than 500 people sitting in a crowd waving an anonymous flag.

My purpose today is to give a personal shout out to each one of you who invests time, energy, emotion and resources in discipling others. I want you to know that you are valued; that what you do makes a difference for eternity; and that I trust God will reward you according to the selfless way you have put others above yourself!