As we look at our Saviour’s life, we see that He used small groups in His ministry. In fact, much of the time we see Jesus was ministering to people in small groups. The following is an acronym that organises some of the truths that demonstrate the value of a small group in a ministry setting.
Share your life
This happens as people share their struggles, joys, victories, sorrows, answers to prayer, what Jesus is teaching them, and what their relationship with Christ is like.
Ministry
Many times other people can see their friends’ gifts before they do. Small groups are a great place to challenge each other to discover and use their spiritual gifts.
Accountability
Small groups help us to be accountable in our spiritual walk, evaluating our spiritual discipline, challenging us to pray, memorize Scripture, and study God’s Word.
Listen and Learn
Being part of a small group can help develop the skill of truly listening to one another. God often speaks to us, or teaches through others experiences or revelations.
Love
Because we share our lives together, the group is able to understand many needs in the lives of each of its members. We can pray for others and often meet a need.
God
God speaks to us through the Body of Christ. In small groups we grow in our Christian walk as others confront, encourage, or pray for us.
Relationships
Small groups help us develop close, healthy, loving relationships with others. Deep friendships form quickly when you are in a small group that meets on a regular basis.
Opportunity
Small groups provide a wonderful opportunity to go deep with a few people, giving us a chance to be a part of what God is doing in the process of training leaders.
Unity
As small groups love and care for one another and work through conflict, the value of being united in love is displayed for all to see.
Prayer
In a small group, people are willing to share much more deeply than if they are praying with others they don’t know well. Pray anywhere and anywhere. Pray often!
Here are just a few of the many opportunities to use small groups in Young Life:
- cabin time
- work crew
- mission community
- camp‑work crew, summer staff, assigned team
- committee/sub‑committees
- Bible studies
- discipleship
- staff meetings
- club
- leadership meetings
- contact work
- prayer groups
- tutoring
- mentoring
- after‑school programs
- Mummy & Me
- visit a committee member’s home with a small group of kids
- service project with a small group of kids