Sprirtual Bonding in Small Groups« Back to Blog

4/9/2008

Posted By Pastor Jeff Noblit

To bring to a close our discussion of Small Groups, we are going to look at the third section of our Small Group strategy: “provide fellowship to meet individual needs.”  God so designed the church that all the members are interdependent.  We are all sinners striving to be more like Christ, and we need help along the way.  Some need help to repent of sin or overcome sin (Galatians 6:1).  Some members of the body have physical needs such as sorrow, bereavement, encouragement, and consolation (James 2:15-16).  We all need help at some time or another, and these needs can be met through Small Groups. 

Spiritual bonding is an essential part of Christian fellowship.  Spiritual bonding must take place.  Spiritual bonding does not just happen, but takes time and trust.  In the context of a large church, such as First Baptist Church, bonding can prove difficult.  In fact, often in a church of 100, spiritual bonding can be difficult.  However, bonding which is essential, can take place whether you are in a church of 100 or in a church of 1000.  This can happen through the ministry of Small Groups.

In a Small Group of 8-10, people can get to know one another and begin to connect.  Through this bonding, true heart communication can take place.  Transparency and trust begins to develop.  But this will take time.  We have to invest the time needed to develop and organize Small Groups.  We have to teach the importance of bonding together as the body of Christ so that each member will see how vitally important it is to their own spiritual well-being.

After time, when people have grown to love, trust, and be transparent with each other their needs will begin to be met, whether physical or spiritual.  People will become transparent about their indwelling sin and be encouraged to overcome.  Then the family of God can begin to truly “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).

God has designed essential ministries to function through Small Groups.  The lost can be evangelized, the saved can be equipped, and needs may be met through providing fellowship.  That is why Small Groups are essential to the life of the church.  And that is why we work hard to teach our people our strategy statement for Small Groups: “The church organized into small groups to evangelize the lost, equip the saved, and provide fellowship to meet individual needs.”