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Role of Small/Cell Group
Paul Jang  2008-03-24 16:08:19, hit : 5,157


Role of Small/Cell Group

Small groups had and have played significant role in the mundane world as well as Christianity. On this point Gareth Weldon Icenogle said as follows:

Small groups have a theological and historical role and purpose. All human endeavor works to fulfillment and completion through small groups experiences. The sociological, psychological and formational sciences thrive in the analysis and enablement of face-to-face relationships where two, three or more persons come together for a common purpose and life (Icenogle 1994, 14).

In the early Christianity small groups had been naturally continued to small churches. In a sense, the small group itself was a small church. Nevertheless it is necessary to distinguish between small group and small church because the small group was a primitive form of small church in itself and because small group does not grow in size, while small church may grow to be large church. In view of this point, the role of small group in the church is very significant.

From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus Christ emphasized this role of small groups in the Great Commission:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you (Matt. 28:19-20)

In these passages, the Great Commission of Jesus Christ, the role of small group have been clearly seen. In brief, those are mission to the world and making disciples of all the nations. At that time this small group was the group of eleven disciples (Matt. 28:16) even though this group consisted of twelve disciples at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. This group must be the first representative taking charge of the role of the small groups in the churches. This mandate is not limited to an internal focus, a secret society for believers only, but Jesus opens membership in the household of God to everyone (McBride 1990, 21).

What are the contents of the role? Firstly, it is making disciples (Matt. 28:19). this is very important. The first work of Jesus christ in his ministry is making the members of small group his disciples for the purpose of his continuing ministry. Secondly, it is baptizing (Matt. 28:19). The baptizing is for the members to become Christians. Lastly, it is teaching them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded (Matt. 28:20). In a word, the role of small group is for the people to become disciples in order to achieve the Great Commission. Judging from this, the role of small group is very significant.

The role of the small groups in the early churches was very marvellous (McBride 1993, 65). The role of the small groups had been decesive in the growth of the early churches both inside and outside (Acts 2:43-47). Paul would had preached and taught the people of small groups in the various private homes (Acts 19:8-10, 20:20-21). Another example is the case of the conversion of Cornelius and his whole household (Acts 10:32-33).




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