Anchored in Truth™ Striving Not to Build 'Great' Churches, but 'True' Churches

4/3/2008

Posted By Pastor Jeff Noblit

The Bible has many examples of the saints being equipped within a small group setting. In Luke chapter 6 we see that Jesus called twelve apostles to Himself. Multitudes of people would follow Jesus at one time or another, but Jesus selected a small number to equip to be His apostles in the world. In Acts chapter 2 the apostles would equip the new disciples through small groups. Paul tells Timothy to teach faithful men who will be able to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). God intends for His people to gather together in small groups in order to be equipped and trained.

One key aspect to equipping through Small Groups is the Biblical principle of modeling. Within Small Groups we may model godly living to one another. We can model prayer to new believers. We can model evangelism to those who are timid. We can model a godly family to those who are newlyweds. Small Groups provides the intimacy and close fellowship that opens the door for modeling the Christian life to others.

Jesus modeled the walk as much or more than He verbally taught the walk, though both are essential. In Acts 1:1 Luke states, “The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to DO and teach”. Luke’s first account, the Gospel of Luke, was an account of all that Jesus modeled and taught before His disciples. If we desire to be like our Lord, we must be modeling the walk before others. Small Groups provide the pathway for us to serve God and serve others by equipping and modeling. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Iron does not sharpen iron unless it is touching. Through Small Groups we can make the touches needed to impact others to be more faithful children of God. The biblical ministry of Small Groups is an essential component of a healthy, true church that gives God the Glory He deserves (Ephesians 3: 21).