Been Reed - Life and Theology. The musings of a young pastor.

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Are small groups essential?

This is a guest post by Matt Harmer, small groups pastor at Manna Church. You can find him on Twitter HERE and on Facebook HERE. If you’ve got a small groups story to share, or a unique perspective on small groups ministry, and would like to guest post on this blog, please see these guidelines HERE.

I recently traveled to a nearby city to meet with a Small Groups Pastor friend of mine for a time of connection. It was the first time we’d actually met face to face, although we had quickly become e-acquaintances (twitter friends, really). As we sat in his office and began to talk, one of the first questions that came up was, “So, how did you end up as the Small Groups Pastor?” The stories unfolded…

“Well I did this job for a while, and I interned here. I worked as this while I obtained my degree from such and such, and then someone came along and said, ‘We think you’d be great at doing the Small Groups stuff.’ And that’s how I ended up where I am.” We laughed and joked about how it seems that small groups people have the best stories.

In this post I want to unfold for you not so much the story of how I ended up in the small groups ministry at Manna Church, but how small groups got into me.

A common misconception is that small groups are just another aspect of local church ministry. Even as I considered taking the position, I viewed it as a small component of our church’s life – my primary responsibilities being to process the data and plan the events, and basically just “keep that thing going.” As I began to dig deeply into importance of what I was doing, my thinking about small groups, ministry, and Christian life in general changed. Essentially, I had “ended up” in a position where a powerful philosophy of ministry was able to be inculcated into my thinking. The result of this change of view was a fresh vigor for the task of “keeping that thing going” – knowing where you’re going makes the driving to get there worth it.

In a nutshell, here’s what I’ve learned:

Every person who has received Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior is absolutely called to the “game” of ministry, and it’s absolutely necessary that each individual engage in that call. We must be a people who take seriously the responsibility to be ministers for Him. That being so…

Small groups are where the “game” is played. It’s in Biblical community that believers receive mentoring, encouragement, support, prayer, challenge, teaching, etc… (It’s important to note that both the group leader and members receive the benefits this community has to offer.) Moreover, it’s through community (small groups) that the unreached are reached!

The life of any church is in the relationships the people have with one another, and small groups facilitate the building of those relationships. I know now that what I’m doing in processing the data, planning the events, training leaders, and launching them into the game is THE thing. It’s not some small aspect of church life – it’s a part of it, yes – but it’s the most important aspect…

If we don’t have small groups…if we don’t have people who understand biblical community, build it, and DO their Christian lives together while reaching out to the unreached around them…if we only have a bunch of people who gather on Sunday mornings to sing some songs and hear a great message and then go home… Then all we have is a Christian social club, and that’s not what the Church is supposed to be.

Life and Theology Guest Post Guidelines

May 11, 2010 / Ben Reed / 0 Comments

I thoroughly enjoy learning from others. I do so on a daily basis, whether online or in person. And I believe that I grow more that way than if I were to go about this life alone.

So why not share your story, and your perspective, with the audience of Life and Theology? Give others the chance to learn from you. If you’re interested in guest posting on Life and Theology, here are some guidelines:

What kind of content do you accept?

I believe strongly in the power of people’s story, and would love to hear how God has worked in your life through small groups. Other posts could include a Christian worldview (a theological perspective) on topics such as leadership, the church, church planting, counseling, parenting, and social networking. Most posts on this blog have something to do with small groups. There is no minimum length for your post, but if it takes you more than 500 words to get your point across, you should probably simplify your ideas for this blog (or suggest them as multiple posts).

Editing

There is a good chance that I will edit your post for grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. If I make changes that seem to communicate a different idea than your intention, which is highly unlikely, I will email the post back to you for you to approve the changes. I reserve the right to post a brief intro/conclusion to help give the readers a context as to why I see this topic as valuable. It will be clear that this is my intro, and not yours.

Disclaimer

I know that a lot of time, effort, and creativity goes into putting together a post. However, since I own the rights to this blog, I reserve the right to not publish your post. Please don’t be offended or take it personally if your entry is denied.

Submissions

If your post meets the above guidelines, please email it to me for consideration. I will respond with a “yes” or “no” within 48 hours. Please put your post in the body of the email rather than as an attachment. Again, please don’t be offended or take it personally if your entry is denied. There are many factors that determine whether a given post fits, and will be effective among, the readers of Life and Theology.

(HT: Michael Hyatt)

A truly “deep” study

May 10, 2010 / Ben Reed / 0 Comments

I posted this question last week on my blog:

What does it take for a “regular” Bible study to turn into a “deep” Bible study? What goes into making small group time a “deep” Bible study?

You can see all of the great comments I received HERE.

Instead of jumping straight into the methodological (how-to), it’s appropriate to look at the theological/philosophical (why?) definitions of what I believe is a “deep” discussion in a small group. Starting with the theology behind the methodology helps to give a framework so that groups know why they are doing what they are doing…and why change is (or might be) necessary. If we were to jump straight to the “here’s how to lead a deep discussion” topic, we’d be undercutting the foundation.

When we go about defining what a “deep” study is, we find it’s pretty simple.

A truly “deep” study is one that helps us to take steps of faith. A “shallow” one does not.

And what does it look like to take a step of faith?

1. Start following Christ. As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. (Matthew 9:9)

2. Understand what it means to follow. Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:34-40)

3. Repeat daily. Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. (Luke 9:23-24)

4. Go. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

I’m not negating the sovereignty of God to draw and grow people, nor am I doing away with personal responsibility, but if a small group discussion doesn’t help the group members to love God and their neighbor more (which Jesus defined as that which the Law and Prophets hang), then it’s not deep. Period.

It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about a “seeker” small group, a college group, a preschool group, or a boating affinity group. Discussions that don’t put feet to the Word and propel us to go are ultimately fruitless.

There will be much debate on how to flesh that out, depending on whether you operate with Sunday School classes, cell groups, home groups, community groups, or knitting groups. And that’s okay. I know that the way that each small group system fleshes the disciple-making process out will be a bit different. But here’s my admonition to us all: let’s not make the Christian life (and becoming a disciple) too difficult. Jesus didn’t. Love God. Love your neighbor. That’s difficult enough.

Depth is less about the transfer of information and more about life transformation.

I’ll continue this series of posts tomorrow, and talk about various aspects of studies that lend to the disciple-making process as described above.

What do you think? Have your thoughts on “deep” studies been challenged?

A “Deep” Bible study

May 6, 2010 / Ben Reed / 18 Comments

Can you tell me which small group has a “deep” Bible study?

Ever been asked that question? Ever asked it yourself?

I’m asked the question all of the time.

But instead of posting my thoughts, I’d like to hear from you, so leave a comment below.

What does it take for a “regular” Bible study to turn into a “deep” Bible study? What goes into making small group time a “deep” Bible study?

I’ll post my thoughts later. But for now, I’d like your input.

Tragedy & the work of God

May 5, 2010 / Ben Reed / 0 Comments

If you’ve been affected by the flood in Clarksville, Grace would like to help. Just go to this site HERE and let us know what we can do.

It’s often in the midst of tragedy that God works most powerfully in a person’s life.

Life can clip along just fine for years and years. That normal, frenetic pace of life lulls us to spiritual sleep. Into a coma of sorts that makes us feel like we’re in control, that we don’t need others, and that we certainly don’t need God. Because, when you have a successful career, a nice home, a nice family, and are fulfilling the “American dream,” what else could you ask for?

But it’s suffering that helps remind us that we have very little control of our lives. No matter what you do, you can’t safeguard your life against disaster. Try as you may, suffering will find you. And you can continue to try to put up fences, sandbags, walls, and defenses against disaster…but no part of life is outside the reach of Tragedy.

The point of suffering is many-fold, and I don’t presume to know exactly what God’s up to when He allows certain things. But one thing is certain (in addition to the fact that Satan is out to steal, kill, and destroy” – John 10:10). “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10) It’s when we recognize our position in relationship with God that we find true security. Feelings of safety and ease are just that…feelings. When “life” happens, we find that the only safe place to rest is clinging tight to the One who holds life in His hands.

May we show Christ to be our all surpassing Treasure, and not the stuff of earth that is quickly fleeting.

And may we, out of that relationship, offer hope and help to a world left stunned and confused when life falls apart.

Laughter

May 3, 2010 / Ben Reed / 0 Comments

An essential part of building community is laughing together.

Those I feel closest to I also laugh with. I mean, we do talk about really important stuff. Life-changing. Heart-wrenching. Tear-enducing.

But we also laugh together. So hard that we cry. So hard that it hurts our stomachs. So hard that we accidentally pass gas.

And I’m convinced that it’s healthy to laugh together. Ecclesiastes 3:4 says that there is “a time to laugh.” Laughing together helps to build relationship. It helps to build trust. And community is fostered when you laugh with somebody.

Too many people think that “religion” has to be completely stoic. To be a “good” follower of Christ means that you’re straight-faced, walk around with blank stares, and have furled brows. But that’s just not true.

God created humor. And if you never experience that with other followers of Christ then you’re missing out on a great blessing.

I laugh a lot with the guys I work with at the Grace offices. At the end of one of our Sunday services, a few of us went out on stage as Adam Bayne’s “band” to help him with an announcement. Enjoy laughing at this picture…at our expense. Go ahead…I’m giving you “a time to laugh.”

And while you’re at it, why not invite your neighbor over for a cup of coffee, and laugh together with them, too. Who knows? It may be that God uses that to help you build a relationship with them that leads them to follow Christ.

Safe = Dangerous

May 3, 2010 / Ben Reed / 2 Comments

I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve watched this short video of a sermon given by Alan Danielson (you can follow him HERE on Twitter). So I thought I’d share it with you.

I love this quote from the video:

“We are so far educated, above and beyond the level of our obedience, that it’s disgusting. It’s time, if we’re going to say we want to be like Jesus, to stop just talking about it, and start doing it.”

Is your small group too safe?

Abide, a review

April 29, 2010 / Ben Reed / 2 Comments

I just finished going through Jared Wilson’s latest release, Abide. It’s been published by Threads (a 20-somethings division of their big daddy, LifeWay Christian Resources).

I read Jared’s other release, Your Jesus is Too Safe, and reviewed it HERE.

This is a 5-week study focusing (with 3 sharp, well-done, short, and helpful videos to go along with it) on the spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, fasting, and service. The study concludes with a time to drive home the importance of practicing the disciplines in the context of community.

This is a typical Threads study, except for the fact that Jared’s dry wit makes an otherwise dry topic (I mean, who really thinks it’s thrilling to read a book about spiritual disciplines?) more enjoyable. And Jared gives a unique (ok, it’s probably not unique…I’m sure others have written stuff like this, so I’ll say that it’s, at the very least, refreshingly different than most) take on the disciplines, presenting them not as a “law” that we have to make sure we check off of our spiritual to-do lists every week, but rather as developing a rhythm that, over time, begins to feel natural…all in the midst of a culture that constantly pushes away from anything that slows us down.

The difference between this study and other works on spiritual disciplines is a sense of relief. Many of us grew up in church environments that stressed things like quiet times, service projects, and worship services – which are all good things – in such a way as to create holy homework for the Christian life. – p. 11

The key component, Wilson asserts, in creating Kingdom rhythms, is “abiding” in Christ. And I think he’s absolutely hit the nail on the head.

By “it’s a typical Threads study,” I mean that the book is loaded with extra information in the sidebars (which, in the chapter on prayer, because as I’m reading, I’m constantly distracted by the extra info on the side…which is quite funny since Jared is talking about removing distractions from your life). Which, for some people, is great. It gives access to additional resources, quotes, books, etc. But for others, it becomes a distraction. Sometimes, more is not better.

Which brings me to my second critique. And this is for all of the Threads studies I’ve gone through. There’s too much information to process in a normal small group meeting time. Sure, questions and sections can be skipped if the leader so decides. But the problem is that the lesson builds on itself. It’s structured so that, if you don’t read the opening couple of pages of the lesson, you won’t really understand the last couple of questions. So the reader is forced to read every section and answer every question. And that really squeezes discussion out of group time. Threads studies seem to be built around a small group time that will last close to 2 hours.

So my question to the Threads team: Are you really aiming for discussion? Or are you aiming for short, directed answers?

Because if you want more discussion, lighten up on the question load. And work to make them more open-ended.

Leaving the questions more open-ended leaves more room for heresy. I get that. But it also leaves more room for creativity. And discussion. And room for those people who don’t feel like they have “all the answers” to speak up (because when the questions are looking for that exact right answer, if you’re not certain you’ve got that answer in the bag, you’d better be quiet, else risk embarrassment).

That said, this study is solid. And compelling.

I think that Jared has laid out a system that can really help people develop rhythms when it comes to the spiritual disciplines. So this is a study that I’ll be recommending to the small group leaders at Grace. And I’ll recommend it much, much quicker than any other study on spiritual disciplines.

But here’s the caveat I’ll give each of them: Instead of spending the recommended 5 weeks, plan on spending 10.

Abide from Threads on Vimeo.

Challenging the Status Quo

April 29, 2010 / Ben Reed / 0 Comments

Our culture works hard to prevent change. We have long had systems and organizations and standards designed to dissuade people from challenging the status quo. We enforce our systems and call whoever is crazy enough to challenge them a heretic. And society enforces the standards at the stake, either literally or figuratively. – Tribes, Seth Godin, p. 73

Are you a part of an organization that embraces change? That encourages people who challenge the system?

If not, then be ready to welcome irrelevance and ineffectiveness.

David Platt and The Modern Gospel

April 28, 2010 / Ben Reed / 2 Comments

In writing about how modern churches often present what an appropriate response to the Gospel should be, David Platt says

We already have a fairly high view of our morality, so when we add a superstitious prayer, a subsequent dose of church attendance, and obedience to some of the Bible, we feel pretty sure that we will be all right in the end.

The modern-day gospel says, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. Therefore, follow these steps, and you can be saved.” Meanwhile, the biblical gospel says, “You are an enemy of God, dead in your sin, and in your present state of rebellion, you are not even able to see that you need life, much less to cause yourself to come to life. Therefore, you are radically dependent on God to do something in your life that you could never do.”

The former sells books and draws crowds. The latter saves souls. Which is more important?

Taken from Radical, Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt, p. 32