Small Groups in the
New Church
The Rev. John L. Odhner
O
ver the last half century the General Church has increasingly been using
small groups to help people with spiritual growth, study of the Word, and
connection with each other. Just recently I participated in the New Church
Journey series – seven weeks of Living Gratefully. This small group series brings
together five laws of providence from Divine Providence, with stories of Israel’s
Exodus from Egypt. The laws of providence show how the Lord lovingly and
wisely cares for us, and this spiritual growth program centers on gratitude for
the care He gives us.
I find myself feeling deeply grateful, not only for the Lord’s care and
abundant providence, but also for the way the Lord’s care comes through
other people, in this case the people in the small groups I attended. In our last
meeting one group member said that our workbook, Living Gratefully, was a
fine book that he was grateful for, but by itself it was just a book. What made
the program valuable was the people in our group, getting to know them and
care for them, hearing various perspectives, insights and experiences. It brings
to mind the way the Lord works through people:
God loves every one of us but cannot directly benefit us; He can benefit us only
indirectly through each other. For this reason He inspires us with His love, just as
He inspires parents with love for their children. (True Christianity 457.3)
The General Church Outreach Department is in its tenth year of supporting
and encouraging participation in small groups through New Church Journey
programs. Though we still have a lot to learn, it has become increasingly
clear that small groups are a vital part of a healthy congregation, especially a
congregation in the New Church.
Ancient Churches
Elements of small groups have shown up in churches throughout history.
The people of the most ancient church lived in tents and worshiped there.
(Secrets of Heaven 3312) They did not gather together in large nations, or build
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