Theological Basis for Small Group Ministry
The ministry of small group fellowship and body life is rooted in the teaching of New Testament. It should not be viewed as an added luxury, but an essential element of biblical Christianity.
God exists in triune community with Himself. From before the world began, God the Son declares the greatness of the Father’s love for him. As those who reflect the image of God, we are to be in close, intimate, loving community with others.
While having a larger group of 70 followers mentioned in the New Testament, Jesus operated with a small group of twelve disciples. Of the twelve, there were three he was preparing for special levels of leadership.
When Paul described life in terms of “putting to death the old nature” and “putting on the new self,” the apostle went on to explain that “the new nature” is actually a corporate experience in which a Christian shares in community with other Christians (Colossians 3).
All the saints are called to teach and admonish one another as the Word of God richly dwells within them (Colossians 3:16). They ought to be as the churches in Rome, filled with knowledge and goodness, and hence competent to counsel one another (Romans 15:14).
The author of Hebrews, with a tone of urgency, declares every believer’s need for close Christian fellowship, encouragements and relationship. These things are needed because the flesh is deceptive, the tendency to lose heart, and the need to be spurred on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 3 & 10).
Christians are called to a life of close, familial love with other Christians in which they weep, rejoice, pray and have brotherly affection for others (Romans 12).
Please listen to “Let It Be Honored Here” and “The Third Level” on bethelgrace.org. They provide the biblical foundation as we envision the ministry of God’s Word at Bethel Grace.
“Let It Be Honored Here” speaks out of II Timothy 3-4 and Colossians 3 to define three levels of the ministry of the word at Bethel Grace:
1 – The Preaching of the Word at the corporate level by pastors engaging in “expository exultation” for the edification and unity of the entire church
2 – The Teaching of the Word by elders and gifted teachers at a mid-sized level for doctrinal instruction, practical teaching, and discussion of all aspects of Christian living
3 – The “One Anothering” of the Word by all Christians at the smaller relational level where Christians express what they are learning and encourage others in Christian living with the Word & Prayer.
“The Third Level” speaks out of Romans 12, Colossians 3 and Hebrews 10 to give further definition to how we Christians are called to relate to one another at the koinania fellowship level.
It is at the third level that we:
1 – have genuine fellowship with one another
2 – begin to counsel and admonish one antoher
3 – mutually encourage one another