Introduction: In the First, Second, and Third Centuries of Christian history, small groups were Christianity’s building blocks. The groups were informal, participative, guided by the Holy Spirit, and were composed of from two to about a dozen Christians. They were usually formed around two or three local families, and they met in one family’s home, who acted as the host for the group.
These small groups were the organizational structures in which salvations, healings, miracles, and Spiritual growth occurred for the early Christians. (Note: Church buildings, pastors, priests, formal worship services, concerts, and other Christian programs as we know them today, didn’t exist in the first three centuries of Christian history – that is, for about the first eight generations of original Christians.)
Early Christian small groups meetings are mentioned 30 times in the New Testament; in 10 different letters; referring to groups in 12 different cities. Also, 25 references to Christian small groups have survived in the records of ancient Rome. These historical references prove that small groups were the way Christians met, fellowshipped, and worshiped – until the Roman emperors outlawed Christian small groups in the Fourth Century. Here are some guidelines for having early Christian style small groups in today’s world.
1. The Definition of a Small Group: An early Christian style small group is composed of two (or more) like-minded Christians who meet frequently, face to face, for two-way conversation, over a long period of time, to pray, worship, learn, grow, and share Spiritual gifts together.
2. The Purpose of Small Groups: To let the Holy Spirit guide a group of Christians in learning to live a supernatural First Century type lifestyle. Meetings can be for fellowship, teaching, worship, and any combination of the three.
3. The Guide of Small Groups: The Holy Spirit is the head and guide of all Christian small groups that have an early Christian structure. He is perfectly capable of motivating, prompting, teaching, and guiding small groups – if their participants will let Him do so.
4. The Key Principle of Small Groups: The less human interference, scheduling, and control there is in a small group, the more the Holy Spirit can guide the group.
5. The Motto of Small Groups: “Never come to a meeting with a preconceived notion of what’s going to happen at the meeting.”
6. Who Should Meet in Small Groups: Like-minded Christians who feel prompted by the Holy Spirit to meet together, regardless of their ages, backgrounds, or levels of experience.
7. How Many Christians Should Meet: A minimum of two, and a maximum of about 15 to 18 Christians. (The Spiritual effectiveness of small groups starts to break down at about 18 participants, depending on the ages of the Christians present, and how many children are present.)
8. What Should Small Groups Do: Small groups can sing, pray, share testimonies, read Scriptures, have teachings, share meals or refreshments, celebrate The Lord’s Supper, and express Spiritual gifts, all as the Holy Spirit guides them.
9. What Should Small Groups Not Do: Small groups should not have a human leader who presides over their meetings. They should not choose their participants geographically or alphabetically. They should not have pre-planned programs; or pre-planned study materials; or participants who aren’t like-minded and don’t want to be in the group.
10. When Should Small Groups Meet: Small groups can meet anytime of day or night; and as often as possible; but probably no less than once a week.
11. Where Should Small Groups Meet: Small groups can meet in any quiet, private, convenient place – normally a private home. However, meetings can be held in an office, a restaurant’s banquet room, or any similar place that’s quiet, private, and convenient. The location can be changed or rotated if necessary, but having a permanent place is more efficient and effective.
12. For What Period of Time Should Small Groups Meet: Small groups can meet from a few minutes to several hours at a time. A small group only needs start times and end times suitable for the schedules of the participants. The Holy Spirit will honor whatever times a small group gives Him.
13. What About Meals or Refreshments: A small group can have no meals or refreshments. Or it can have coffee and cookies. Or it can have full meals, as the Holy Spirit guides. If guided by the Holy Spirit, small groups can also celebrate The Lord’s Supper.
14. Summary: The only decisions that small groups structured in the early Christian style should make are –
• Who will meet.
• When they will meet.
• Where they will meet.
• The start time.
• The end time.
• Whether snacks, a meal, or The Lord’s Supper will be shared.
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