Grouped at the Table

Matthew 26:20-30

When it was evening, he took his place with the twelve; and while they were eating, he said, "Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me." And they became greatly distressed and began to say to him one after another, "Surely not I, Lord?" He answered, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that one by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that one not to have been born." Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" He replied, "You have said so."

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

When they had sung the hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Did you ever consider that the small group stood at the center of Jesus’ Ministry? It did! As he went through “the Galilee” he called followers who were fishermen and tax collectors and zealots and they followed him.

According to Mark, Jesus chose them that they would be with him. With him in his teaching, with him in his miracles, with him in his suffering, and with him in the future mission. In this group Jesus explained his parables, prepared them for ministry, and sent them out two by two.

Throughout his ministry Jesus developed this small group – he answered their questions, he took a few with him on the mountain, he chided those who could not heal the demoniac boy, he sent them into town while he waited at the well for an important interview, and he ate with them.

In John 13-17 Jesus is teaching his disciples about himself and the Spirit and their testing when he leaves them. This is the longest discourse in the New Testament -- even longer than the Sermon on the Mount – and it focuses on the Twelve, his small group.

Small Groups Today

Granted that Small Groups were important in the ministry of Jesus, what about the apostles and the centuries past? What about today? Following Jesus model the disciples preached at Pentecost and the 3000 converts were formed into small groups, family groups, and home groups. “And they continued in the Apostle’s teaching and fellowship, breaking bread, and the prayer. The earliest church was a small group.

When Paul traveled from Syria throughout Turkey preaching Jesus to Jews and Gentiles, those who were responsive he formed into small groups, churches, and he appointed elders to oversee the work when they had been Christians for only 3 to 6 months.

What about years after the New Testament? In the desert we find cenobite monks those who joined together for prayer. All the monasteries formed candidates in groups. Later came the Brethren of the Common Life and their groups. Then John Wesley and his class meetings – small groups. All the renewal movements of the 20^th century have begun small groups.

I wish to call half-dozen witnesses this morning to tell you of the importance of small groups in the church today. First, Dr. Stanley Ott, Presbyterian Pastor of Pleasant Hills Church in Pittsburgh. “I believe that small groups are the key to helping persons know the love of God in a personal way.”

Dr. Roberta Hesteness, educator at University Church in Seattle, Professor at Fuller Seminary, President of Eastern College, and pastor: “I have found small groups the place for instruction that expresses itself in changed lives and ministry.”

Dr. Glenn Mc Donald, minister of Zionsville P. C. in edge of Indianapolis: “Our mission centers in the 100 small groups in our congregation.”

Dr. Charles M. Olsen, founder of the Worshipful Work Ministry: “I have spent my whole ministry working with small groups and I am convinced that they hold the key to vital life of both individuals and congregations.”

May I add my testimony? For 20 years I gave leadership to the Lay Witness Mission and in 20 years we conducted 10,000 missions. The thrust following the mission was the formation of small groups. I would estimate that on average 3 to 5 were formed after each mission. These groups became the place of nurture, fellowship, and training for thousands of laymen and women.

I will add one brief testimony. My life and minister were changed when I began meeting with a small group of men from our church in Phenix City, Alabama. It was the place that I learned to be honest, that I heard men pray for me by name, and that my ministry was marked forever.

Small Groups at Shallowford

Now I want to tell you about an opportunity for you to experience the delight of a small group first hand. During the Lenten Season (March 3-April 19) we will have Journey Groups that meet weekly at a time convenient to you. These groups will consist of from 3 to 15 persons. They will gather, read the text, discuss questions about the text, pray, and fellowship together.

I want to assure you that feel hesitant about a small group. These groups will provide a safe place for you to learn, grow, and participate at your own comfort level. You may come and participate as you desire and no one will expect more than you wish to offer.

The scripture that is studied in the small group will be the text from which the minister preaches the following Sunday. The texts for the study are taken from Jesus’ last Journey to Jerusalem. We will journey with Jesus as he sends out helpers in his mission, as he responds to needs, as he teaches what “real life” is about, as he affirms Mary’s contemplation, as he goes through “hard times’ on the journey, and as he makes himself known after the suffering and the cross!

Like Jesus, each of us is on a journey. Jerusalem, in a sense, is both our destination and our destiny. I encourage you to become part of a small group because “it is a safe place on a dangerous journey.”

I tried to think of metaphors or similes for the small group. It is like an extended family where you are welcomed and love; it is like a pilgrimage on which you travel to holy places with friends; it is like a classroom where you learn lessons in living; it is like a church where you experience the presence of the Risen, Living Jesus Christ.

Jesus’ Last Small Group

The first Last Supper was a small group of 13 consisting Jesus and his followers. Three things occurred in that group that frequently happen in a small group: Jesus spoke truth to them. He said, “One of you will betray me.” Every person in that group felt a shiver go down his spine. “Could it be me, could it be me, one after another asked.” As we gather, read the text, and share, Jesus often speaks truth to us in the group.

In this small group Jesus gave himself to his followers in the most intimate way imaginable. He took bread, blessed and broke it and gave them his body to eat. He gave them wine to drink. Do you not see how he wished to come into them as bread and wine enter the physical body, he wished to enter into their spirits and reside in them. Groups provide a place for this kind of transformation.

And, Jesus left them with a word of hope. “I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." This is our hope. Jesus will come, meet us in the Kingdom, serve us bread and wine, and celebrate the Ultimate Triumph of God in the world.

This, I believe, can happen today as we come to the table, share his body and blood, and go forth with hope in our hearts.