Chocolate or Vanilla Ice Cream? Three Ways Life Groups are Different but the Same

Chocolate and Vanilla are the same. They are both ice cream. Yet, they are also different as they have different colors and tastes. Bicycles and cars are also the same in some ways. Riding a bicycle is fun. Bicycles are also transportation that takes me places. I also take car trips. A car can also be fun to drive, as long as it's not rush hour or Interstate 24 any time of the day. A vehicle and a bicycle are the same in some ways but different in others.

Corporate worship and small group worship are also the same but different. The early church met in large groups, the "temple," and small groups," from house to house" (Acts 2:46, Christian Standard Bible). Both are important and useful in worship, spiritual growth, outreach, and sharing Christ. They operate the same in some respects, yet entirely different in others. Let's look at three ways they are different but the same.

First, the church's mission cannot be disconnected from the mission of the Life Groups as they are part of the body. Jesus came to "seek and to save the Lost (Luke 19:10). Allan Taylor says, "The great commission is plain, 'Go and make disciples,' yet how we accomplish Jesus' commands is up to us,"[1] and "Every small Life Group(Sunday School class) is like a mini-church. It should do all the church functions except on a smaller scale." [2] So, the church at large has the mission of sharing Christ. What is different is how that looks. Small groups make it easier to invite friends who may feel more comfortable participating in small groups before coming to church.

Next, discipleship is essential in worship and Life Groups. Both provide opportunities for learning and applying God's Word to grow as a disciple. Yet, it is much easier for minds to wander while listening to preaching. It is also tempting to hear and, without accountability, not follow through with needed life changes. Small groups provide an atmosphere where active learning through discussion and practical application is easier to grasp. In addition, some people can help hold us accountable. We need relationships to help us stay the course (Acts 18:24-26.).

Last, attendance is different but the same. Attendance is essential in both environments. What is different is that it is much easier for absences to go unnoticed if the attendee only comes to corporate worship. It is easy to attend worship casually without commitment to the body or its mission. We are encouraged to "watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together" (Hebrews 10:24-25). Gathering together means in worship and life groups. So, it isn't either or, but both, and. The small group provides the accountability to follow through with a commitment to the body, attendance, and ministry.

Imagine a football team going on the field without any preparation or practice. Disorganization would ensue. As Jesus empowers us to fulfill the Great Commission, Life Groups must embrace how crucial they are for developing our team, preparing for the task and carrying out the mission of reaching our community for Christ.

[1] Allan Taylor, The Six Core values of Suday School: A Philosophical, Practical, and Passionatae Approach t Sunday School. (Canton, GA: Riverstone Group, 2003), 13. [2] Ibid., 19.