I’ve been thinking recently about Paul’s farewell speech to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20. It is such a great Word for small group leaders! Do read the whole chapter, but here are a few reflections:
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. Acts 20:17-21
‘You know how I lived the whole time…’ Please notice that there was no escaping the examination of a life lived among his people. So many of our conversations and interactions on Sundays can be fleeting, but not so in a small group meeting regularly in a home. What a privilege to know our people and to be known by them. What a great opportunity to live ‘real’ lives in community, with each other, as we really are and encourage each other along in our Christian walk.
‘I served the Lord with great humility and with tears…’ Please notice Paul’s passionate engagement with the Ephesians. He serves God, but with tears as he serves them, amidst hardship and persecution. Sometimes small group leadership can be challenging, but we remember Jesus who came not to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). So, like Jesus and like Paul, we serve with humility and a servant’s heart, through the joyous times and the times when tears are involved.
‘You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you…’ Please notice the absolute priority of teaching and declaring the truth of the Scriptures – especially here the Gospel message of repentance and forgiveness of sins. Christian small groups are not the same as other social or common interest small groups. The Pharisees complained that Jesus partied too much, but Jesus’ first act of public ministry was to say ‘The time has come. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!’ (Mark 1:15). The rest of the chapter speaks about how easy it is to slide away from this absolute priority. It was easy then, and it is easy now to have as our focus something other than our deep need to keep repenting of our sins and turning to Jesus for forgiveness and the Spirit’s power to change us and mature us in Christ.
My prayer is that we might grow more and more into that sort of small group leader for the people of God.
