I guess this series is starting to stir some emotions a bit. GREAT! That will help us all grow and be stretched as we look to write a new manifesto for church planting.
Don’t forget where we started this series: I still believe that Jesus was a man of the “and“. Both the crowd and the smaller groups of people gathered and scattered.
So, if life change happens “best” in small groups, would Jesus agree? I don’t think Jesus would buy into that mantra.
I have listed this many times now [for those who think one way or the other is superior or more Biblical]:
This was Jesus Model: CROWD —> 12 —> 3 —> 1
So answer one thing for me: IF YOU COULD SPEND TIME WITH JESUS LEARNING FROM HIM…how would you rather spend that time?
With the [CROWD —> 12 —> 3 —> 1]
With a crowd of people?: Good, but not as personal. [What would you pay to attend that conference?] And yes, many of you need to stop knocking the weekend gathering.
With the 12: You know you will get that talker or 2 who won’t shut their pie holes, but this would be better than the crowd level. And no, I am still not knocking “small groups”…explanation later.
How about the 3? Now you are getting scared because you can hide in a group of 12 can’t you? Can’t do that with 3, but 3 is better yet than 12 right?
How about 1 on 1? What kind of money would you pay to learn 1 on 1 with Jesus? [BTW: You can do that everyday, but that's another post.]
Yep, I think life change happens best 1 on 1 too. Discipleship is simply spending time with the Master, so if you think 1 on 200, 1 on 20, 1 on 12, 1 on 3, whatever you insert is “better”…then go for it. If it were up to me, I would hang 1 on 1.
When I travel the country and ask this question, most respond that it was someone [or a collection of someone‘s who made the biggest impact on them spiritually, and rarely is it in a group format [as good as they might be, they probably aren’t “best.”.
And don’t worry, we will get into talking deeper about “small groups/the 12″ later. But this point had to be made first.
And you…??
Having been a part of small groups for the past 10 years, I feel that groups of 10-12 are best for developing a sense of community and belonging. Yet I agree that spiritual growth best occurs 1 on 1 or in smaller numbers. A good book that would reinforce what you wrote is Divine Mentor by Wayne Cordeiro. He has a format for doing groups that includes both elements. It would be worth your time to read!
Well said! Way to go to the “and”. Thanks for the new thought.
[...] agree that the BEST way to pour into people’s lives is through 1 on 1 pouring/discipleship [see last week], whatever you want to call it…why do we not do [...]