God created us with a need for community. In the Garden of Eden prior to the fall God created everything and called it “good.” But then in Genesis 2:18 God changes His description of creation and says that something is “not good.” Keep in mind that this is prior to the fall, humans have not sinned — and yet God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Aloneness is not good.

While the passage speaks to the institution of marriage – the implications of the passage on our human need for connectedness to community are broader. We see our need for community relationships in the fact that we are created in God’s image.

Acts gives us an interesting view into the early church. Early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” (2:42, 46) We see a particular pattern forming in the first four chapters of Acts — going out in public evangelism followed by coming together in private fellowship — repeated over and over.

The fellowship that they engage in is very intimate and personal — eating together. The fellowship is more intimate than merely identifying with others as a group. The intimacy and closeness of the relationships reflect a family relationship.

In this picture of the early church we see ministry that is energized by fellowship, where fellowship is both a noun (affiliation with a physical group of people) and a verb (active connection with a physical group of people).

These Christians were radically changed such that the community of believers became the hub of their world — became their family — their loyalties changed radically. In Acts we see that even ministry is an outgrowth of the small group community.

What is the outcome or goal of small groups? Is it merely to develop strong relationships and avoid being alone? The answer is a resounding — No!

The goal is rooted in the great commission of Matthew 28:19-20 – to make disciples and encourage people to follow Christ. Small groups are about ensuring that people are continuing to grow in their relationship with Christ.

Jesus was asked by a religious expert: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied that the greatest commandment is to love God and love others.

Small groups are important not merely because they add a layer of intentionality and accountability toward our call to love God and grow in our relationship with Christ, but because they also teach and demonstrate how we can love one another in a practical manner.