The 3Cs
Small groups do many things, but we think there are three elements essential to a healthy small group:
Community
We were created for community. We were made to have a relationship with God and with people. We can't be connected in a deep way to everyone, but we can share important connections with a handful of people. We think this is best in a small group.
Community is a growing sense of connection with members of a group. As a group gathers they ought to experience more openness and transparency. Relational walls should come down as we allow others to see who we are and see others for who they are. This creates some challenges since none of us are perfect people. However, through commitment to each other and experience interacting, the community should deepen.
Change
We believe that life change often happens best in the context of loving relationships. Our goal is not a mere increase in knowledge but changed lives. The people we know well and allow to know us will be able to show us areas we need to grow. Groups give us the space to share what we are learning, ask for accountability, and see good examples of God's work in our lives.
Change is the reason many join groups. People want to know something that they currently don't. They want to live better lives and rightly hope that a group can help them. Groups help people change through talking about the Bible, sharing life experiences, and seeking the input of trusted members. Often friends don't challenge us to grow. But a group is a hybrid between friend, family, and coach. A group at its best is very personal but willing to take some relational risks with each other to help everyone grow to their potential.
Calling
God crafted us in such a way that we won't be fulfilled or happy unless we give of ourselves to others. Small groups give us opportunities to serve the people we know, or serve with the people we know.
Calling is the spiritual challenge that "calls" us to reach out to people who are spiritually unconnected - people who are seeking God, returning to the church, or just starting out in faith. Calling is the need to be involved in serving people in physical and spiritual need. But calling is also about serving people who are already followers of Jesus. In the Bible it's often called spiritual gifts. There is a metaphor of a body with different parts; each part helps the whole body. So as a group challenges members to live out their calling, they often help identify the unique contribution each member makes in our world and in our church. Not just "identification" but putting it into action.
We know it would be impossible for groups to try to balance the 3Cs. Instead we talk about a convergence - literally an overlap or joining. We hope all groups would have elements of community, change, and calling. We know that early in the formation of a group most will focus on building community. More time might be focused on getting to know each other and less on a formal study. As a group develops, they shift to how they can serve each other and challenge each other to grow. The 3Cs form the core on which a healthy group grows and develops.