Why Small Groups Fall Short
Why Small Groups Fall Short
Over the past decade of ministry, I’ve never met a pastor who lacks the desire for their congregation to function more like the early church we see in Scripture. This longing for a biblically functioning church is often the driving force behind establishing small group ministries—regardless of the creative names churches assign to them. The hope is that smaller gatherings will foster deeper community, accountability, and obedience. Setting aside the fact that many churchgoers never join such groups, why do these groups often fall short of becoming vibrant communities of disciples on mission? I believe it largely stems from a fundamental lack of clarity regarding their identity and intrinsic authority—both of which are necessary for functioning as mature, multiplying disciples.
Function Should Be a Priority
Confession time: One of the ways I waste time these days is by watching police bodycam videos on YouTube. It’s wildly entertaining to me. As I watch, I reflect on the stabilizing role of these officers in society and the consequences when they fail to function properly. When you think of a police officer’s role, you likely think of “serve and protect.” By stating this, we establish a definitive standard by which we can evaluate whether a police officer is fulfilling their duties.
Similarly, the New Testament provides definitive standards for assessing whether disciples and churches are functioning properly. This is not a test of salvation or worth—Jesus loves His children and His bride unconditionally by grace through faith. However, this love should compel us to examine our lives, both individually and corporately, to ensure that we are living in a manner worthy of the Gospel (Phil. 1:27), obeying Christ’s commands, and modeling what we see in Scripture.
To establish a minimal standard of discipleship, we should look to Jesus’s final marching orders:
"Jesus came near and said to them, 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." – Matthew 28:18-20
Here, we observe the functional standard for being and making disciples. Remember, becoming a disciple is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). However, being a disciple means continually pursuing obedience to all Jesus commanded—including the very command to make more disciples. Disciples are made through going, proclaiming, baptizing, and teaching others to obey Jesus’s commands.
The minimum functions of a local church can also be observed in Luke’s summary of the early church’s activities (Acts 2:37-47). This passage highlights repentance, baptism, leadership, devotion to the Word (i.e. Apostles’ teaching), fellowship, communion, meeting one another’s needs, worship, and disciple-making as essential church functions.
If Biblical function was a priority for the early church, it follows that we should ask which environments best cultivate and sustain that function today. Many argue that "it doesn’t matter what we call them" when referring to small groups. While this is partly true, terminology can sometimes hinder the group from the ownership of biblical function and the intrinsic authority needed to carry it out.
The Need for Clear Identity
Paul has a lot to say when he writes to the struggling church in Corinth. Before he begins to correct their dysfunction, he reminds them of their identity:
"To the church of God at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord—both their Lord and ours." – 1 Corinthians 1:2
Paul’s pattern is clear—identity precedes correction. Growing up, my parents taught us what it meant to be part of our family. If we copied behavior from TV or school, my father would say, "That’s not how we act in the Harris family." If we persisted in that poor behavior, discipline followed. In the family of God, our corporate identity as the church, body, and Bride of Christ provides the framework for our behavior. When we stray, our identity reminds us, "That’s not how God’s people live."
In many small group models, the biblical identity of "church" is reserved for the Sunday gathering. This isn’t an indictment of small groups’ intentions, but rather an observation: When most people think of "church," they envision a service to attend rather than a community living out biblical functions. As a result, small groups often become mini Christian bubbles rather than vibrant communities on mission.
Returning to the police officer analogy, we established that their role is to serve and protect. Now imagine if they were stripped of their uniform and badge but still expected to fulfill their duties. Without a clear identity, they would function no differently than concerned citizens. In the same way, believers who lack clarity about their individual and corporate identity in Christ will struggle to own and live out biblical functions.
One lesson we can learn from house churches is their firm grasp of identity and the clear expectations of Biblical function for every believer. In house churches, "church" isn’t an event but a people—deeply engaged in living out biblical functions.
Understanding Delegated Authority
Imagine a society where police officers had no authority to enforce laws. Without authority, they would be functionally useless. That’s why the state delegates authority to officers—enabling them to carry out their duties effectively.
Similarly, disciples who lack an understanding of their God-given authority to make disciples and obey Christ’s commands will be functionally paralyzed. Jesus’s words in Matthew 28:18-20 make it clear that disciples operate under His delegated authority:
"All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples…"
This authority binds disciples to the scriptural standards set by Jesus and the early church but also frees them from needing permission to make disciples, baptize, and teach. Why would a believer need to seek permission for something Christ has already commanded to be obeyed?
In many small group models, authority is often centralized in the corporate gathering—especially regarding baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the collection and distribution of offerings. If small groups fail to understand their delegated authority to obey all Jesus commanded, they may become environments of fellowship and mutual care but likely fall short of achieving holistic biblical function.
This is another key lesson we can learn from house churches. In a house church, every disciple is expected to obey all Jesus’s commands, recognizing that His authority has been delegated to them. Consequently, house churches maintain a view of authority necessary to obey all scriptural commands given in the New Testament.
Conclusion
The New Testament emphasizes function over faculty, budgets, buildings, or large gatherings. When identity and authority are unclear, biblical function will likely be lacking. The goal of any church—regardless of size—should be mature disciples living out biblical functions with a posture of ongoing self-correction. Clarity of identity and authority leads to biblical function, as disciples who understand who they are and what they are called to do will naturally live out the mission of Christ and service to His Bride.
While prevailing model churches attempting a small group model should be commended for pursuing biblical community, they can learn from house churches in their clarity of identity and authority. Regardless of one’s opinion on the viability of house churches, their commitment to biblical function positions them as a valuable model for fostering biblically functioning communities. In the end, what matters most is not the location of the gathering but the faithful pursuit of Christ’s commands. Churches that intentionally ensure that everyone grasps a proper view of identity and authority have the greatest opportunity to see biblical function take root and thrive.