Introduction

Adapted from a post on 4/12/25 at drodgersjr.blogspot.com 

Why small groups in light of the deep, powerful truth in Romans?

While reading Romans 1:1-17, I was struck by the number of times relationships are mentioned.
Paul wants to meet with the Romans to strengthen them.  Romans 1:11
Paul knows that their faith will be a mutual encouragement.  Romans 1:12
Paul wants to see the fruit among the church and the  rest of the Gentiles  Romans 1:13
Paul needs to share the gospel with different groups.  Romans 1:14
The spread of the gospel from the Jews to the Gentiles makes the power of the Gospel visible.  Romans 1:16

In thinking about small groups and the deep, powerful truth in Romans, I wanted to share the following quote from the book Community.

We do not have community groups to close the back door of the church.  
We do not have community groups because people need to belong or we need to care for one another. 
These are good secondary effects of authentic community.
These effects are not the foundation.
We have community groups because we have seen the glory of God, and we have been given the grace to live our lives to exalt the Christ.
We have community groups because we have been reconciled to God and one another.
We have community groups as a proclamation of the goodness of our God and a testimony to the completed work of the cross.
This is the foundation for a gospel-saturated community that will overflow with life. 
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The power of the gospel is made known as Jews and Gentiles, Greeks and barbarians, wise and foolish, are saved and brought together by the power of God.

Our small group ministry is not about meeting felt needs.
Our small group ministry is not about caring for people.
Our small group ministry is not about getting more people to 2050 Aberdeen 
Our small group ministry is about people growing in their satisfaction in Christ and helping others grow in their satisfaction.
Genuine small group involves helping people understand that their souls will be truly satisfied and cared for only when they rest in Jesus Christ.

I don't necessarily like the term small group because it needs to convey the true purpose.  Our goal is not a small group.
Our goal is a deeper relationship with God through small groups.

So, let's talk about the different primary purposes of our small group ministry.  

This post states a couple of different purposes for our small group ministry. 

So, are small groups about the transformation of people OR the glorification of God?

Both.

Small groups need to be about the transformation of God's people into the image of Christ for God's Glory.

Our small group ministry is about people growing in their satisfaction with Christ and helping others grow in their satisfaction.

Genuine small group involves helping people understand that their souls will be truly satisfied and cared for only when they rest in Jesus Christ.  

Whether you are leading a sermon-based group, a study of a specific book of the Bible, or a study of a book, small groups allow people to be involved in God's work of the transformation of God's people into the image of Christ for God's Glory.