SMALL GROUPS#1- Relationships

Exponential Relationships Formula: N x (N-1)

Why do churches need small groups? A lot of folks just join a Worship Service but never become a part of the church itself. They know a lot of people superficially, but do not really know anyone very deeply. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are also part of the body of Christ. We are to love one another to the point that we are willing to give our life for them. (I John 3:16). Now that is a serious relationship.

            We can only develop deep relationships with a small number of people. Here is how “group relationships” work. If there are 2 people in a group, there are 2 possible relationships. Simple. If there are 3 people in the groups, this jumps to 6 possible relationships. EXAMPLE: say.. You, Me and Bill..[(1)You to Me, (2)Me to you, (3)You to Bill, (4)Bill to You, (5)Me to Bill, (6)Bill to me]. The formula is simple but the greater the number in the groups the more complicated the group gets.  The Chart shows two columns. The number of People in a groups and the number of possible relationships.  See how the relationships grow as the group grows.

           As you can see, the greater the size of the group, the less “intimacy” the group will experience. Extremes are on both sides. We can have a few deep relationships or many shallow relationships. The key is a balance. We need time in small groups to deepen relationships and also time in a large groups to connect with others.

            Jesus spent time with the masses, but also had a groups of 12 and an even closer group of Peter, James and John. Jesus was a part of a small group.  Get involved in a small group at your church this week. It is the right thing to do.