Going Deeper with Small Groups

I recently read in Luke 5:4 where Jesus had finished teaching from a boat and then said to Simon, “Put out into deep-water, and let down the nets for a catch (NIV).” I immediately thought of the level of shallowness at which some Sunday School classes and small groups function.

There are different levels of sharing any time a Sunday School class or small group meets.  There is the shallowest level known as the “chit-chat” level. This is when we talk about sports and personal interests.  The second level is the “opinion level” where people give opinions about truths that are being studied but do not open up their personal lives.  The third level is a level of “spiritual intimacy.”  This is when people share past experiences as well as present failures and victories applying them to the subject being studied.  The first two levels are good and needed but fall far short of creating Christian bonding within a class or group.  It is probably safe to say, the majority of groups spend little, if any, time at the “spiritual intimacy” level.  

The “spiritual intimacy” level is the most fun and enjoyable for all Christian nurturing.  I remember one of the time I started two new groups at the same time. One of the two “spiritual intimacy groups” ranged from ages twenty to thirty, and began at four-thirty on Sunday evenings.   The second group ranged from ages thirty-one and above, and met from six to seven-thirty on Sunday evenings.  The hope was that both groups could function and spiritually grow at a “spiritual intimacy” level for the eight months we would meet.  Most participants considered themselves Christians.  However, a few questioned God’s existence in their own lives, but they were willing to spiritually explore.  Certainly, there were times for chit-chat and sharing knowledge, but both groups were encouraged to share their true “feelings” which would be deeper than merely sharing their “intellect”.  

Before the classes began, I met with every participant and let them know the class covenant that included, among other things, faithful attendance, absolute confidentiality, and everyone would need to prepare their lessons for class times.  Also, every person was told, no one would be embarrassed or do anything they did not want to do. However, they were expected to be a participant and not just a spectator.  

As the classes continued to meet, it was easy to see personal healilngs taking place.  The times together included some deep healings in my own life.  We limit our ministries if we think the altar is the only plae to shed tears or share "spiritual intimacy" before God.  In a short time of meeting together, both groups experienced tears as well as laughter.  The response was unusual, and it was easy to see the Holy Spirit ha primed the people for His presence.  Luke supports this level of teaching when he writes, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”  We had only met for a short time, but we had already bonded more than some groups do in years.

What exactly are characteristic details of “spiritual intimacy groups” and how do you form one must wait for another discussion.  But I can tell you this, as teachers, we must be willing to be vulnerable and go deeper with our own feelings.  Also, we must be comfortable when God's Spirit moves on the hearts of our listeners and they begin to explore deepr spiritual levels in their own lives. 

Don’t be afraid to move out into the deep.  It is only in the deep our nets can become full.