This is how people grow because they are able to share their faith, fellowship with like-minded Christians and serve others. In the small group, real ministry happens and real spiritual growth happens. Every church must have a small group system that is championed by the senior pastor of the church. It’s the first level of spiritual care to God’s flock.
Responsibility and relationships are the ingredients that will tell if a guest will stay or not. The small group system provides both. The New Testament calls it the church in the house and that’s where fellowship and ministry happens practically.
The small group in Priscilla and Aquila’s house
The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings.
1 Corinthians 16:19
The small group in Lydia’s house
When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.
Acts 16:40
The small group in Nympha’s house
Please give my greetings to our brothers and sisters[a] at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church that meets in her house.
Colossians 4:15
The small group in Philemon’s house
and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.
Philemon 1:2
Having a weekly small group system is the bedrock of closing the back door of any church. It’s a system that was well practiced in scripture. Sometimes I don’t even like common places like cafeteria, common rooms etc. I have seen real life change happening in people’s houses way more just as the earlier church had it. Setup a system and let your members meet in homes during the week and at church on Sundays.
They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.
Acts 2:46
The secret is Temple worship and home worship. When you do this, you will see your members grow in maturity because the word of God in their lives has increased.
So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Acts 6:7
Practical Ways Of Setting Up A Small Group System
- Read my first book “Secret Cell Group Strategies You Were Never Told”
- The senior pastor must be the main champion of this system to get people involved in it