The church is God's agent of reconciliation in our world but this ideal can be reached only when we bring people together in true relationship with God and with each other. A small group is one of the best vehicles for enabling people to be what God intends them to be. The church grows when people are sharing Christ's life together, meeting each other's needs, and reaching out in love to the world. Throughout the ages God keeps drawing His people together so they can experience His presence, receive His gifts, reach out to others and reaffirm their commitments.
Paul, in writing to the Hebrews, puts it this way: "Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Heb. 10:24-25, RSV).
In this issue of the Elder's Digest the focus is on small groups. They can be a very helpful and effective tool in bringing a spirtually healthy environment in a variety of areas of church life, like nurture and outreach.
Our intent is to help, you, the reader, understand that the concept of small groups is rooted firmly in Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy, and to encourage you to help motivate your congregation to develop a strategy for integrating small groups into the total mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Whether the small group is a Sabbath School class or other fellowship group, it can be instrumental in promoting spiritual growth and encouraging dedication to our Lord Jesus Christ and His church on earth. We pray that God may grant His people the joy of participating in a dynamic small group.
