Biblical Basis

CLG Header 2

The Biblical basis for home groups is very strong. There are plenty of accounts in the Bible of them existing in the early church (Acts 2:46, 12:12, 20:8, 20:20; Rom. 16:4-5; I Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:5; Philemon 2). And many Biblical commands given to the church seem to require them. These especially include commands for Christians to minister to one another (Heb. 3:13, 10:24-25; Gal. 6:2; Col. 3:16; James 5:16; I Peter 4:8-9; Eph. 4:32). The very "one anotherness" of these commands necessitates Christian fellowship contexts small enough for our ministry to one another to be truly mutual. Combining this strong Biblical basis -- with our own experiences in the effectiveness of home group ministry -- gives a very strong rationale for us to pursue home groups.

In Acts 2, the first century church met in temple courts (Sunday morning worship) and in house-to-house (small group) settings. These new church communities began as home groups, just as Jesus had modeled with the 12 (Mark 3:14; Luke 6:12-19).

More than 50 Biblical "one anothers" admonish us to be closely involved with a few others (small groups) in order that we might learn and imitate attitudes and behaviors that characterize God's household - the community of believers.