Why groups?

CHRISTIAN BASIS OF SMALL GROUPS

JESUS USED A SMALL GROUP STRATEGY

Jesus devoted himself to a few people and not the masses. He chose a small group at the beginning of his ministry . This group consisted 12 ordinary uneducated men probably in their 20's. Jesus chose to build into a few men a strong foundation so as to change the world . Most of Jesus ministry time was spending time daily with these men. He taught these men to love one another and then to pass on the good news to others. Jesus spending time with these men really showed that he was truly man and God incarnate. He ate, talked, slept, walked, sailed, fished, and prayed with these men. He spent more time with them than anyone else in the world. Jesus felt the need of human fellowship and support. " You are those who have stood by me in my trials" Luke 22:28 Jesus used the apprenticeship model of training his disciples.

THE EARLY CHURCHES WERE SMALL GROUPS

The small group experience of the disciples was used to start the "church" The early church was a small group that gathered to support one another and share the good news with others. Others were attracted to this group (church) because of "their love for one another". This group initially met together daily in their homes, ate together, and praised God together, and others came to join them. Acts2:46-47. The early church mainly met together in homes which would limit the number to a small group.