Myth #4: The purpose for small groups is for true Biblical community
Have you ever said these words…
"Get into a group so you can get connected…"
"When you get into a group you are able to develop good relationships."
"We have groups because God wants us to be in community with each other."
"Small groups are a place for us to find friends."
If you're saying yeah, so what? Then you're a lot like me before I started to see the missing element here. The call being made is community for the sake of having community. This will appeal to some people (mostly lonely people), but not to the people who are asking why is this important.
Take a step back. What's the purpose of community? If it's not to make disciples then it doesn't fit into the Great Commission! If that is true then why don't we say, "Get in a group it's a place where you can grow. At Canyon Ridge, we've been saying, "The best environment for discipleship is community." We really believe that community is the catalyst for personal discipleship. Its how Jesus did it. It's why he took his disciples with him instead of teaching them in a class. Life creates circumstances for change and growth and if we're living together we can expect to grow together.
The Truth? The purpose for small groups is for people to be discipled.
**These comments are from my personal learnings and not directed at any person or church's group strategy**
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