Small Groups, a False Measure of Spiritual Growth

So often, church leaders believe spiritual growth happens in small group settings.

They believe promoting and getting people involved in small groups will grow them spiritually.

They typically judge the success of a church based upon how many people are involved in small groups.

Their small group philosophy comes from Acts 2 and 4 where the believers met regularly in homes for fellowship.

The reason those in the early chapters of Acts met in homes is because thousands of people from other areas had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover.

Some of them responded in belief to Peter’s message that Jesus was the Christ and he would restore the kingdom to Israel.

Since the believers had no larger venue to meet in, the met in houses of the people who lived in Jerusalem.

In the houses, the apostles TAUGHT THEM further about Jesus and his kingdom.

The growth in these groups was cause by the teaching of the apostles and not by the small group circle.

A popular phrase used by churches today is: people grow better in circles not rows.

This is not true.

People all over the world sit in circles in small groups but have limited or no understanding about the fullness of grace contained in Romans, Ephesians, Galatians and Hebrews.

They have never grown in grace, yet they have consistently participated in small groups for years.

I have discovered people grow when they understand the truths of grace, the truths of the new covenant of grace, whether in a circle, a row, or all alone listening to a new-covenant, grace-based Bible teacher on a Podcast or YouTube channel.

The key to spiritual growth is understanding the spiritual truths of grace.

This can happen in small groups or outside of small groups…but it is important to know that small groups is not the key to spiritual growth.

The key to spiritual growth is the spiritual truths of grace - the new covenant of grace.

This is from Brad’s Book: Strategic Church - God’s Plan to reach The World With Grace. Available on Amazon.

Check out the rest of Brad’s resources on the Home Page to grow deeper in grace.