“No bird can soar in a calm.” Wilbur Wright
In Nate’s message on January 11th, he discussed an audacious goal: the 60 x 2026. Nate is asking Grace to join with by praying for and participating in its accomplishment so that 60% of Grace is engaged in Grace Small Groups (or an intentional analog) where meaningful, biblical fellowship is the target. But let’s consider two important questions: (1) WHY do we need to do this and (2) WHAT defines a 60×2026 group?
WHY? Because it glorifies God.
In John 17:20-23, the Lord Jesus prayed for us:
- “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Jesus gives us, and is glorified by, a qualitative sense of unity. Think of it: he donates his glory to us to accomplish a wonderfully conspicuous unity! This unity is not uniformity, but a genuine, passionate, and collaborative dedication to the Father’s purpose. We don’t lose our distinct personality, but it does require a new corporate identity. Corpus, the root word of “corporate”, simply means “body”; to be corporate in the original sense has nothing to do with business, but literally “formed into a body”.
How is the glory of Christ manifested into the world? By our genuine, unified, reciprocal love for one another – all kinds of people with one powerful thing in common: The Lord Jesus. The most important thing we do while we exist on earth is to maximize that unity, empowering our mission: to make disciples. So that’s the why.
WHAT Defines a 60×2026 Group?
For now, we define a 60×2026 group as an intentional, purposefully gathered group, led by committed leadership, that focuses on relationships that balance grace and truth. Let’s break this down:
What constitutes a Grace 60×2026 Group? Any group that:
- It is intentional: this group meets at least monthly (weekly preferred), has a clear start time and rhythm, and is guided by group principles and covenant for a definite amount of time. Participation implies individual volitional conduct.
- It is purposeful;: this group will engage in the Holy Scriptures, prayer, and loving Biblical behavior to promote reciprocal grow as followers of Jesus. Our aim is to be interdependent and supportive of each other while growing strong in the Lord.
- It is led by committed leadership: this group is enlisted, supported, and equipped (or approved) by Grace Community Church. Grace pastors are responsible for its supervision. Grace group leadership empowers principles and provides accountability for agreed-upon behavior.
- It focuses on relationships that balance grace and truth. By illumination of Scripture, dynamic discussion, relational modeling, and the Holy Spirit’s power, we endeavor to reciprocally build maturity, live a life of repentance, and courageously move toward intimacy where shame has no place. We will own our imperfections and bear reciprocal witness of our strengths and victories.
High ideals? Absolutely! Outlandish goal? We’d probably get Elon to Mars faster! As of this writing, we have about 670 in attendance. 60% of 670 is 402. With no more than 12 per group (the Golden number in a group), that’s 32 groups. As it stands we have 23 groups. We’ve got work to do.
But let’s ask this question: what happens if we fail? Imagine a church where more than half of its people lived their spiritual lives with aimlessness and futility, with no sense of purpose? What if they marginalized discipleship priorities and had no recognition of a life where grace and truth was balanced? What kind of church would that be? Would you attend there? Would you want to be a member there?
One Final Question: HOW Do I Get Involved?
There are three ways to get involved with difficulty ratings:
- Enhance the Group you’re in. You may already be in a small group at Grace. Show the leader this blog post and ask how you can help keep the bar raised. OR it may not be a “Grace Small Group” but you can turn your ad hoc meetings into a 60×2026 Group by adding components found in the rubric above. All you may need to do, for example, is add prayer, scripture, and let Sean know about it! (slee@roswellgrace.com)
- Join a Grace Small Group. There are all kinds of Small Groups and they are usually “affinity-based” or based on stage of life, gender, or core teaching component. We like variety. We suggest: (1) Ask your friends at Grace who may already be in a small group. Ask if you can attend. (2) Find the Grace Small Group Catalog on the 201 table in the lobby OR check the SMALL GROUP PAGE and (3) contact Sean (slee@roswellgrace.com) for more help or information.
- Start a Group. This means leading. This means aligning with Grace and its leadership. But this means having at your disposal every tool you’ll need to successfully influence others to greater love and obedience to Jesus. Does that get you excited? If so, click HERE for more information or talk to Sean (slee@roswellgrace.com). But we must start more groups, so this is that for which we are praying.
Please join us in praying for this most noble goal. And while you’re at it – if you dare – ask the Lord: “Father, what would you have me do?”