Jesus Had A Small Group
Years back, I was involved in a small group at the church were I was a youth pastor. I liked it because there was no one under the age of eighteen, and I didn't feel that I had to lead or even participate in the discussion. It was sort of a "hangout with the adults while others lead" time for me. When you put in 70+ hours a week with high-octane hormonal teens, you need a breather occasionally. So, small groups was a time to be with friends, eat munchies, and listen while others talked...and talked...and talked.
Lately, I've been researching twenty-somethings' ideas of what they like in small groups. Even the name "small group" seems out of date and boring. I've heard names like Life Transformation Groups, Clusters, Growth Groups, and whatever you can think of, just as long as you don't call them "small groups." And other than implying that it's small and there is more than two of you, what exactly do we mean by term "small groups"?
Jesus hung out with a small group, a handful of men (and some women) that traveled together, sharing life and connecting with the world around them. I try to imagine what that might have looked liked. Jesus was a leader, and the group didn't seem to have a problem with that. That seems very different from postmodern Christians, where young people like to lead by consensus. Everyone has input because everyone's voice is seen as having equal value. Can you see Jesus leading a twenty-something group today? "Uh...Jesus, you seem to be monopolizing the conversation tonight. Remember, we all have our points of view and no one answer is more important than another." Maybe it wouldn't be that bad.
So, I'm gathering information and working through this "small group" thing. There's a lot of material out there on small groups and I've accumulated plenty of insights from my friends and other twenty-somethings. Now, it's just putting it together and sharing my observations on how college-age and post college-age like to "do" small groups. I keep thinking about Jesus and His small group. Do you think there was someone in the group that didn't say much, enjoyed the munchies, and was just happy to be there?
I'll be out of the office for the next two weeks on a trip to Israel. I look forward in sharing with you my trip of the land and people of Israel.
Lately, I've been researching twenty-somethings' ideas of what they like in small groups. Even the name "small group" seems out of date and boring. I've heard names like Life Transformation Groups, Clusters, Growth Groups, and whatever you can think of, just as long as you don't call them "small groups." And other than implying that it's small and there is more than two of you, what exactly do we mean by term "small groups"?
Jesus hung out with a small group, a handful of men (and some women) that traveled together, sharing life and connecting with the world around them. I try to imagine what that might have looked liked. Jesus was a leader, and the group didn't seem to have a problem with that. That seems very different from postmodern Christians, where young people like to lead by consensus. Everyone has input because everyone's voice is seen as having equal value. Can you see Jesus leading a twenty-something group today? "Uh...Jesus, you seem to be monopolizing the conversation tonight. Remember, we all have our points of view and no one answer is more important than another." Maybe it wouldn't be that bad.
So, I'm gathering information and working through this "small group" thing. There's a lot of material out there on small groups and I've accumulated plenty of insights from my friends and other twenty-somethings. Now, it's just putting it together and sharing my observations on how college-age and post college-age like to "do" small groups. I keep thinking about Jesus and His small group. Do you think there was someone in the group that didn't say much, enjoyed the munchies, and was just happy to be there?
I'll be out of the office for the next two weeks on a trip to Israel. I look forward in sharing with you my trip of the land and people of Israel.
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on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 9:36 PM.
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Interesting last two posts... I am interested to hear more of what you have to say on this...
Can't wait to hear more...
Thanks for the comments. I know of others who are looking more into small groups for college/post-college age groups. Let's keep each other up to date on what we hear and observe.
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