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So here is my question? We all know that for some time, and still to this day the in thing to do is foster small group ministry in your church. People love the familiarity the size of the groups fosters. They love the lack of formality often present in these groups. They often feel more free to ask questions and make comments.So this got me thinking. Don’t most people (and I will come back to this) have such a group quite naturally given to them by God? Where else should familiarity, informality, and trust be more available than in the family nucleus.And it seems that even historically the rise of the small group emphasis seems to be concurrent with the fall of the traditional family unit.
I wonder if at times all the promoting of getting involved with a small group has had the effect of making people forget the small group they already have. I can attest personally, I need every encouragement possible to be reminded that the family group needs to be nurtured daily in the word together, for the sake of the individuals and for the sake of the family unit. There are many, many devotions that are geared to help small groups operate. But how many are geared to foster family devotions. Our newest hymnal includes such resources, but they may be too formal for many families at least in the beginning of this discipline. And how often does the church offer resources or simply teach families how to go about having daily devotions. Obviously, the point of this entry is not to abolish small group ministry. But it is to encourage the church to foster spiritual devotion in the first small group most people join, the family. Small groups are particularly important for those who do not have a Christian family group to enjoy familiarity, informality, and trust in. And no doubt, sadly this demographic continues to grow. But let us make clear that from Adam and Eve on, the first small group one should discuss their God with is their family group. And then if time is left, let us join other in our spiritual family members for study also. |
Small Groups: Substitute for family groups?
Hey!
Hmmmm… never thought about it that way. Perhaps there is some connection. Here’s what I’ve experienced, however:
At our church, we have an active “life group” ministry. Most people involved in them (including everyone in our group) have active, healthy families and really do spend time in discussion and prayer with them. So I don’t feel that it’s used as a substitution for family devotion. If anything, I feel it’s used as an encourager of family devotion. A lot of our discussions come back to how we can be living out our Christianity better daily, and since most of the people in our group have kids, they talk a lot about their successes and struggles in nurturing that faith in their kids.
Secondly, our church may be the exception, but we offer a lot of resources for families. Right now, there’s a 3rd and 4th grader-and-parent class Sunday mornings on how to use your bibles, and it includes family devotion time. Also, from the time people are expecting, classes are offered in how to nurture your kids/family faith.
So I guess, at least in our church, it seems to be an encouragement to family time rather than a substitution for it.