My Dear Church Small Groups, Past, Present, and Future:
You have had a larger impact on my personal development than any other institution save my family. From sometime in mid elementary school, I started attending groups of males only led by one or two leaders for discussion and relationship. You, small groups, were always a part of my church groups, and so always a part of my church life. You integrated my church life with my daily life. You helped me apply what I learned from God’s Word to all my life. In numerous ways, would not be the person I am today if not for you. Oh how I have benefitted from thee! Let me count the ways.
Let me recall the fourth grade, when an excited seminary student taught a small group of dumbfounded and confused nine and ten year olds God’s prophetic plans for the nation of Israel, illustrating a dispensational eschatology with certain word pictures I can still recall today. Let me bring to remembrance ninth grade, when an Emmy award winning actor who had humbled himself to volunteer at a church youth group humbled me by identifying my pride in front of a group of other young men. Let me remember later in high school, when I was allowed to teach things, stumbling and falling but gaining experience. I fondly recall my senior year of college, when with older guys I discussed how to shepherd and care for those younger than myself no matter what sins or difficulties were involved. Oh small group, you have formed me theologically, spiritually, and practically for Christian living and gospel ministry.
You are where I’ve learned to think about where the rubber meets the road. You are where I’ve learned to think about how Sunday’s sermon addresses Monday’s messes and Tuesday’s tasks. You’re the one who taught me to be more intentional in conversations, gaining the skills that allowed me to build deep and lasting friendships in college. You are how I’ve cut my teeth in shepherding and teaching. You have served as the primary infrastructure through which I’ve practiced and experienced discipleship.
But the greatest gift you have given me is the relationships with my small group leaders and small groupees. Consider my high school small group leader. Without you, small group, I never would have had a relationship with him. I would not have my current job except for a call from my high school small group leader. I went to Fiji on a request from him! But beyond ministry and work, he was the first person to introduce me to specialty coffee. We went to Intelligentsia several times in high school. The first time I roasted coffee was with him on the roof of an apartment using a popcorn popper. I would not be the caffeine addicted person I am today without him, without small group!
I’ve been in two weddings. One was for my roommate, but another for my college small group leader. When I get married this summer, he will be in my wedding, as well as my faithful small groupee of two years in college. May God have mercy on his soul. Throughout college and after college, so much time has been spent building and benefitting from these relationships. I’ve crashed in my small group leaders’ apartments when my head hurt too much to drive. I’ve rushed to them when the girl said no and hidden myself away from negativity playing League of Legends or just talking and hanging out with both small group leaders and small groupees. We’ve adventured into LA on whims together. We’ve discussed so many details of philosophies of ministry together. We’ve unburdened our hearts of drama and frustration together.
Think of all the meals I’ve had because of my small group relationships! Thai food, Chinese food, sushi, Chipotle, In n Out, Yardhouse, Rendezvous, Dodgers stadium nachos–so the list goes on and on. That reformation virtue of wasting time with good friends who will sharpen and encourage you for faithful ministry has been achieved for me through small groups time and time again.
If not for leading small group in college, I would not have been drawn to teaching the Bible. It was for my small group I pursued the Old Testament. Without that draw, I would not have gone to seminary. I would not have taken other opportunities to teach and pursue missions trips. I would not be at Joni and Friends. I would not have started this blog. Oh small group! What a profound impact you have left on my life.
Thanks and glory primarily be to God for working through you! It is in the small group that I have experienced the God-given discipleship relationships that have formed me, like Paul with Timothy, like Elijah with Elisha, like Moses with Joshua, like David with Solomon, even somewhat like Jeremiah with Baruch. Thanks be to Grace Community Church, its high school ministry, and Grace on Campus UCLA for building their precious small group cultures.
Were I to give one thing to a person I loved and cared about for their spiritual and personal benefit, I would be compelled to choose the small group experience. Preaching is indeed God’s chosen method for the proclamation of the gospel–as a student of The Master’s Seminary I would would never deny this. But when Ezra expounded the law in Nehemiah 8, the Levites explained it to the people. How was this done, if not in smaller groups? Can you not picture them scattering through the crowds, gathering people together, seeking their questions, and addressing them? Isn’t this the model of small groups–providing a way to dialogue regarding God’s requirements of the individual believer’s life? Has not God intended closer relationships to play an integral role in evangelism and sanctification? This is your job, small group, your raison d’être!
For this all I am intensely thankful. I love you, small group, as an institution and a practice, for all the formative influence you have had on my life, and for all the potential good God uses you for in others, for his kingdom and his glory.
Citizens & Sons 