Imagine Tom Brady making the Superbowl for the 27th time without a game plan. I know this is a bit of an exaggeration, maybe because He actually retired, again. But you get the point, it is ludicrous to enter such an important game without a plan. Or imagine a dying loved one sharing their last words and the family forgetting them a few seconds later; that would also be unthinkable. The last words are the most important.
People's last words are important. Jesus' last words to us were, "you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8). How foolish, first of all not to take these words seriously and second not to have a game plan to carry them out. Jesus gave the disciples the program. Begin where you are, Jerusalem, then Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The point is they had a strategy. Small groups are a strategy to help carry out God's plan.
First, the strategy begins with us. The "gospel came to you because it was headed to someone else."[1] D-groups help disciples develop a sharable testimony in less than 5 minutes. A personal testimony about Jesus' work in our lives is powerful. The gospel begins with our Jerusalem, sharing our story with those we know. D-groups are vital in getting us started.
Next, Life Groups involve people in practical ministry that makes an eternal difference.[2] Getting people in our groups involved is the key to success.[3] The key is getting them involved in our communities through practically meeting needs. Practical ministry leads to more opportunities to share the gospel. Opportunities for evangelism "arise naturally through personal storytelling in the context of life and the community."[4]
Third, Life Groups do mission work together. Sometimes we have to go on a mission trip to remind us of what we should do at home. Every mission trip is a small group organizing, going, and doing ministry. Ministry, mission work, and outreach, whether across the street, country, or world, are done by people who do community together. Small groups who understand this fact and are willing to participate are great facilitators for mission work. We learn ministry together in our backyard, then take what we practice to others to share Jesus.
The gospel begins with learning how to witness and serve. We then carry these tools to our community and eventually the world. Life Groups and D-groups provide the necessary training and organization for effective outreach. The goal is for our church to be so involved in our community through life groups the community would miss the church if it disappeared.
[1] Gallaty, Growing up, XIX
[2] Taylor, 143.
[3]Ibid., 141.
[4] Jody Dean and Hal Stewart. Together We Equip Integrating Discipleship and Ministry Leadership for Holistic Spiritual Formation. (Bloomington, Indiana: Westbow Press, 2018), 58.