Growing in Groups

The Bible speaks in Ephesians 4 about the cohesiveness of the body of Christ. Paul is exploring the topic of the role of leaders to equip members of that body, and writes:
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ--
16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

250 years ago, a man named Robert Raikes was concerned about the behavior of children in his English village.  As Lifeway Research relates, in 1780, Raikes started the first Sunday School.

The tradition of Sunday School has been a vital link to church engagement throughout the years, and now that model is one of many types of small groups that are part of local churches.  But, the small group concept originated long before Raikes acted out of love for the children of his hometown.  We can think of Jesus and His disciples as a bold example of a small group.  I think of David, who had a small group of "mighty men" around him.  And, there are others. 

In any church, regardless of size, a small group can be a source of fellowship and belonging.  Even in a congregation of 100 or less, people can find Christ-centered companionship among fellow believers. Churches have interest-based groups set up by age, such as children and youth, which are examples of opportunities to grow through teaching and fellowship. 

Lifeway Research has conducted a study about small group participation. Its website relates:

According to a Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant churches with ongoing adult Bible study groups, 56% say the label “Sunday School” describes at least part of their groups ministry. Almost 3 in 4 (72%) say they are comfortable with others referring to their groups as adult Bible studies. 

There are other names, as well: almost 40% use the terminology, "small groups."  Ken Braddy, director of Sunday School and network partnerships at Lifeway, is quoted as saying: “When it comes to Bible study groups, it’s less about the name we give the ministry and more about what the groups actually do,” adding “If a group learns and obeys God’s Word, invites others to follow Jesus, forms deeper relationships and engages in acts of service inside the church and out in the community, you can call a group ministry whatever you like.”

Just less than half of respondents say that the primary purpose is Bible study. Regarding the percentage of those who attend church who take part in small groups, about 4 out of 10 do so.  The article summarizing the survey states:

On average, churches have seven ongoing Bible study groups for adults with an average of 69 weekly participants. In a three-month period, the average church sees 91 individuals connect with a small group Bible study at least once.

Over 90 percent of small groups meet weekly, and 3 out of 4 meet year-round.  And most small group ministry leaders say their group members remain static over a long period of time. 

Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, says: “The higher a church’s percentage of weekend worship attendees involved in a small group, Sunday School class or similar group, the more likely worship attendance growth is over a 5-year period.”  

We are part of the body of Christ - it's a large, worldwide body that has been extremely influential in our world today; it is doing excellent work and God is continuing to move through His people.  We meet in large groups frequently - as congregations, at conferences, and other larger events.  That is something that can be extremely healthy to our body.  But, smaller gatherings have their place, too - for those are the times in which we can discuss Scripture, fellowship together, and encourage one another on a deeper level.   

We can draw strength from not only our vertical relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, and worship; but we can also receive encouragement through those horizontal relationships, as well. The body grows more cohesive as we know one another better.