St. Patrick’s small group ministry is divided into “content-driven” small groups and small groups with a particular ministry focus. Small groups are where people get to know people, where we care for one another, where we are shepherded and equipped and where people encourage one another as they do various types of ministry together. The Christian life cannot be forged alone; its essence is community. So we encourage everyone to seek involvement in a small group. Small groups ideally consist of eight to ten people.
Theological Distinction
Our “content-driven” small groups or small-group Bible studies are “gospel-centered”. When we speak of "gospel centered" small groups we are making a statement of theological conviction. We believe underlying every passage of Scripture is the gospel message. Without understanding how a passage relates to and finds its fulfillment in the finished work of Christ, one will not be able to interpret or apply it properly. Luke 24:44f He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. John 5:39 “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me…” We believe that in order to teach and apply any Biblical text properly, one must understand how it finds its fulfillment and explanation in the gospel. Failure to understand how any particular part of Scripture finds it ultimate fulfillment and application in Christ will lead to the unleashing of the twin thieves of moralism and/or mysticism. (Moralism says, “This is what you should do to have God’s favor (to apply this passage) Mysticism says, “This is what you should feel in order to have God’s favor.” Certainly the Scriptures command obedience and have something very significant to say about our emotions, but without the Gospel the true power for change is omitted and the twin thieves are substituted in its place. For example, how many times have we heard the application of the story of David and Goliath as, "You need to have courage like David had courage." Such application is guilty of using the text to formulate moral precepts that we should imitate. This isn't to say that we aren't to exhibit courage or any other moral virtue like David when we face the enemy. But the question is, "How?” Is it by falling victim to the thief of moralism and trying hard to do the same? Or by falling victim to the thief of mysticism which hails courage as a great virtue, but never quite gets there in terms of practical obedience. No! Every passage not only offers an example for us to follow but also tells us how. Without teaching the "how" you've not been faithful to the full revelation of Scripture and your application is no different than the moral requirements of other religions. Why? The power for change is still centered in the self. Where is the gospel in the story of David and Goliath? Jesus the true King and descendent of David defeated the most significant Goliath and it’s only by faith in him that true courage can be produced. Otherwise, my responsibility to be courageous would need to be compelled by the thief of religious duty, or by putting on the mask of some kind of mystical courage that is fake and of no earthly good. True courage arises from admitting that I’m not courageous just like the Israelites, but that I have a David. In other words, true courage arises from admitting the truth about myself and then finding my acceptance in the One who was courageous for me. This produces inward change that results in true courage. The other produces outward change but doesn’t change the heart.
The “Gospel-Centered” Approach Distinguished from Other Legitimate Approaches
Often small groups degenerate into discussions where the leader expounds on theological concepts we need to know or moral behavior that we need to imitate. So you might have a Bible study entitled, “The Sovereignty of God in Salvation” or “Six Principles for a Happy Marriage”. In the proper context such topics are fine and dandy provided in the latter the chief principle for a happy marriage is the application of the Gospel to the heart. The first title (The Sovereignty of God in Salvation) may very well be a great study but it is theological in nature and in the context of our vision more suited for Christian Education. (These type studies will be provided as we develop our programs for Christian Education at St. Patrick) Why? To attempt such a study in a small group setting would alienate many seekers or even young believers because it assumes a certain amount of Biblical and theological knowledge. Theological knowledge becomes the unspoken criterion for acceptance in the group. It also invariably runs the risk of garnering ammo for the moralism thief if not approached with humility and maturity because “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” Summarizing, these topics are fine when offered in the proper settings with the proper goals, but to put it bluntly such is not the focus of our small groups. This does not mean that rich theological concepts as well as rich application won’t be the result of “gospel centered” small groups. The reason is that these are inherent in the gospel message. You can’t get the Gospel and continue to get the Gospel without getting the concepts. But you can certainly get the concepts and fail to get the Gospel. In fact, theological concepts become some people’s gospel. Neither does “gospel centered small groups” mean that we are going to cover the same boring thing over and over again. Why? Think of light shining upon a diamond. The diamond reflects varying degrees of brilliance depending upon the angle of the light and the viewer. The light defines the diamond. Likewise, the diamond gives meaning and defines the light. The Gospel is like this diamond, depending upon the angle from which it is viewed the brilliance of its applications are innumerable.
Speaking out of Our Need for the Gospel
It now becomes easier to understand why “gospel centered small groups” are user friendly. When the small group leader exhibits the “diamond” from a particular angle (say for example from the story of David and Goliath) the diamond can shine into human hearts with specific kinds of applications as well as varying degrees of application. Not to mention the rich diversity in which Scripture presents the “diamond”. So the truth is that the “diamond” is always presented to everyone in the small group. The leader is even holding up the diamond for personal viewing because he/she needs the brilliance of the diamond to shine in ever-greater degrees into his/her own life.
So when the focus is how the Gospel makes us what we can’t be ourselves we are enabled to “speak out of our own need for the gospel”. This creates an atmosphere where the leader is teaching and modeling how the theological and ethical concepts are brought to life by the power of the Gospel. Unbelievers are much less likely to see the discussion as a threat but are strangely attracted to the genuineness, the honesty and the hope for change provided by the discussion.
Organizational Structure
Our small-group structure makes it imperative that we do an excellent job in the area of leadership development. We intend to multiply small groups by multiplying leaders. SGL’s are responsible for developing new leaders (cf. Ministry Development document). It is the responsibility of leaders to develop other leaders and to do so in an “other’s focused” way. These new leaders may lead other “gospel-centered small-groups” in St. Patrick’s or they may gravitate to other “ministry focused small groups” depending upon their giftedness, calling, and maturity. This enormous task requires: 1) Regular Small Group leaders meetings where leaders are prayed for, taught, encouraged, and where particular problems are addressed. 2) Oversight of small group leaders. This will require initial leaders overseeing new leaders. And then, as new leaders grow and develop; taking the responsibility to lead the leaders that surface through their ministry. The idea is to work yourself out of a job.
Primary Care Groups
The distinct purpose of small groups varies from church to church. Because we are committed to a both a “gospel-centered” and “leadership model”, both evangelism and discipleship are accomplished simultaneously in our small groups. Therefore, beside the purposes of evangelism and discipleship our small groups will serve as the primary place our people are nurtured and cared for. Churches who look exclusively to church staff to nurture and care for its members inevitably have many “fall through the cracks”. We believe that “community” is the best counselor and offers the best care giving. Our pastoral staff and leaders will undoubtedly be involved in nurturing the congregation, but again we want everyone to realize that a significant degree of nurturing will take place in small groups. So our small-groups will be encouraged to demonstrate the “one-another” commands of Scripture. (Love one another, share with one another, speak the truth to one another in love, etc.) Also we will train and develop our small group leaders in how to care for the members of their group.
Becoming a Small Group Leader
First, by being in a small-group. Healthy leaders arise through the ranks. Secondly, by being asked by a leader. Obviously, leading others in a discussion of the Bible requires a certain amount of maturity and giftedness. Also, you must agree with the core values of St. Patrick Presbyterian Church and our vision for small groups. Also, although you don’t have to agree with or even understand every detail of our doctrinal standards, you must agree to not teach contrary to these standards. Also, you must commit to attend the Small Group Leader’s Meeting that meets once a month. These meetings are where you will pray for one another, receive on-going training, encouragement, and where we will address logistical issues which are always present.