Worship in Small Groups
Why it's vital that your group maintain an upward connection with the Almighty
| posted 3/19/2008
| Topics: | Music, Praise, Worship, Worship groups |
| Filters: | Group Leader, Train, Worship groups |
| Purpose: | Worship |
| References: |  |
| Date Added: | March 19, 2008 |
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"Don't teach about worship as part of the small-group order when you're speaking to our leaders," the pastor told me right before the seminar started. "We don't practice worship in our small groups. It's too much of a hassle to train the leaders to direct worship—and after all, our small groups are primarily for non-Christians."
"Okay," I nodded—outwardly calm. But inwardly I was wrestling with this new revelation.
Jesus FirstWhat surprised me about the small-groups ministry at this church was that its normal, typical small groups excluded worship. I understand that a certain number of groups will have more of a seeker-sensitive approach—but to exclude worship altogether from the bread-and-butter small groups? I felt that this church had cut out one of the major arteries that flows directly to the heart of God.
I strongly believe that small-group ministry is a powerful tool to reach the lost, but is this our only purpose? We're flooded with information about how to be "seeker-sensitive," but have we paid as much attention to being God-sensitive? How does God feel when we pay more attention to the seeker than the Almighty?
The Scriptures help straighten us out.
Jesus says, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only"(Matthew 4:10). Worship first; service second. This order is repeated later on in Matthew when Jesus says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Afterwards comes the second command: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37–39).
And then we read about the M sisters: Martha and Mary. Martha excelled in serving but failed in worship. Mary cared about only one thing—the person of Jesus Christ. Who got the "A" grade? Jesus tells us: "Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her" (Matthew 10:42).
One more example: In the last book of the Bible, Jesus talks about an incredible church that produced good works like a modern-day factory. Yet after highlighting the impeccable deeds of that church's congregation, Jesus rebukes them: "I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp-stand from its place" (Revelation 2:4–5).
How does all this relate to small-group ministry? It tells me that an upward, God-focus must be at the center of every small-group ministry. While techniques to lasso non-Christians are great, they shouldn't be at the core of our ministry. God is the core. Let's be encouraged to make our groups God-sensitive.
The Normal Small GroupIn the same way that the human body needs a good diet, most "normal" cell groups include certain staple ingredients. I recommend the following practices for basic cell groups:
- Upward Focus—knowing God through worship and prayer
- Inward Focus—knowing each other through fellowship
- Outward Focus—reaching out to those who don't know Jesus through small-group evangelism
- Forward Focus—raising up new leaders through training and discipleship
No two small groups are exactly alike, but each maintains the ingredients.
Prayer in Small GroupsPrayer is part of that upward focus. In my own cell group, we almost always begin with prayer. Then we enter worship, which is a form of prayer. Notice how prayer and worship are linked in Revelation 5:8–9:
"Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."
Haggai: Being a Pillar in God's House (5 week course)
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Near to the Heart of God: Audio
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