Made in the image of a Triune God, we are created to live in community. Our greatest example of small group ministry is the band of men whom Jesus gathered around himself and with whom he shared his life. This group of Christ-followers would become the foundation for the church. Therefore, we might say that if it was not for their “small group” we would not likely be gathered today!

In addition to the example of Jesus and his disciples, we also know that the early church met in small groups. Acts 2:42, 46-47 paints the following picture: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

In light of these examples, the author of Hebrews encourages us to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). Surely we are to gather as the whole body of the local church for times of corporate worship together. But small groups provide a more intimate and concentrated atmosphere where people can grow in their faith, care for one another, and reach out to others. In a growing church like NSCBC, with regular Sunday morning attendance numbering close to 500, it is critical that small groups be a growing part of our ministry.