Details for Blog Entry Simple Small Groups 1

simple small groups 1

Over the next few weeks I’ll be blogging through some ideas that are presented in Bill Search’s excellent book “Simple Small Groups”.  You may also want to check out his website:  http://www.simplesmallgroups.com/   Today’s post is from the book’s introduction…

one :  We all need community.  In fact, Search makes an interesting point to show just how true it is that we were created for community.  In the beginning, God created a perfect world, without flaw or sin.  And when God made the first person, he was created perfect, with an unhindered relationship with God.  And yet, God said that it was “not good” for man to be alone!

two :  Small groups are a wonderful place to connect and grow in community – but they are not the ONLY place.  We place to much of a burden on our small groups, whenever we expect them to meet ALL of our relationship needs.  Sometimes, one of the biggest blessings of a small groups is their ability to create space for closer relationships to grow.  In other words, your group may be a great “social space”, and you also might find within the group another person with whom you grow closer and develop a deeper connection.  That’s a great thing!

three :  We can make it more complicated than it has to be!    We need to make sure that while our groups are highly relational and meaningful, that they are also quite simple and flexible.  That’s why we’re not doing a “one size fits all” approach to our groups here at FCCC.  And that’s why I’m encouraging all of our groups to give ample time for sharing personal prayer requests and praying together.  Sometimes the most meaningful things really are quite simple!

Next Post:  We’ll take a look at Bill Search’s “3 patterns of a healthy small group”…

Connected in Him,

Shane Gage