What Qualities Come Together in a MicroGroup to Create an Ideal Transformative Environment?

MicroGroups are “hot houses of the Holy Spirit.” What does that mean? Using the analogy of a “hothouse” or a “greenhouse” to rapidly grow living things under controlled conditions, just so, the MicroGroup creates the environmental conditions that are just right for accelerated growth into Christlikeness and multiplication of disciples. What are those environmental conditions?

1. Relational Transparency

A major reason the groups are kept to 3 or 4 (triads/quads) is to develop an atmosphere of self-revealing trust. Here is the principle:

The extent to which we are willing to reveal to others the areas of our life that need God’s transforming touch is the extent to which we are inviting the Holy Spirit to make us new.

The seed of God’s Word can only take root in tilled soil. The tilled soil (our openness) creates cracks and crevices in our hearts. It is these cracks and crevices that reveal our areas of needed transformation.

As we articulate the awareness of our brokenness in a nonjudgmental, grace-filled, and unshockable environment, we are set free to pursue wholeness in Christ.

2. Truth in Community

God’s Word is the truth on which we grow our lives from the inside out. Paul tells us in Second Timothy 3:16,

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for…

• Teaching: reality from God’s perspective
• Rebuking: exposing our shortcomings
• Correcting: getting us back on the right path
• Training in righteousness: the plan for how to live

When we interact over God’s Word in community with others with the intent to allow its inherent power to make us new, then transformation is the byproduct. Whereas the first quality states the need for a transparent relational setting, we also need a systematic approach to cover the foundations of the faith.

Foundations are the basic building blocks upon which to build a structure. Of course, the structure, like our lives, are only as strong as the foundation. Missing building blocks makes for a shaky life. Thus, we use the curriculum Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ, as a way make sure that block upon blocks are carefully and thoroughly laid into place.

3. Life-Change Accountability:

MicroGroups are formed around a covenant. What is a covenant? A covenant is a mutually shared agreement that states the expectations and commitments in the relationship. It is a level set. We are all in this together and we know what our part is and everyone else’s as well. In sum here is the covenant:

1. We agree to prepare the lesson content.
2. We agree to show up each session.
3. We anticipate entering the “hot house” of accelerated growth.
4. We strive toward openness within the context of confidentiality.
5. We prepare to lead own group once this one is completed.

4. Fulfilling Our God-Given Mission

MicroGroups are not “holy huddles.” They are mission-sending communities. In these groups we discover the way God has wired us with spiritual gifts and a particular call to serve the church and our broken world.

In the context of a safe, accepting environment we learn how God has uniquely wired us for a divine purpose. We emerge with a greater sense of identity as the beloved in Christ, and therefore, what we have to offer to others. We also continuously praying for those in our network of relationships whom we long to know the One who “loved us and gave Himself for us” (Gal. 2:20). From within this circle of love wrapped in the Triune God, we look outward as ones who are sent.