To catch up on the earlier articles that explore small groups through the book The Other Half of Church by Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks, click here to navigate to the first article within the series.
Acclaimed by many as having one of the greatest theme songs
in the history of television, the show Cheers follows the antics and
daily lives of the employees of a Boston bar and its patrons who frequent the
establishment. Through the many failed relationships, the changes in management,
the transition of characters, and the numerous wacky conflicts that transpire within
Sam Malone’s bar, the characters forge a community that supports one another,
loves one another, and cherishes the time spent with one another. Now viewed from our
perspective in the year 2022, the community and friendship displayed throughout
the show Cheers has become more revered and appreciated. Perhaps one of
the more appealing elements of the show may be what Jim Wilder and Michel
Hendricks refer to as the concept of “group identity” within their book, The
Other Half of Church. With group identity, the focus isn’t placed so much
on an individual’s beliefs, but rather the positive influence that a group can hold
over one another within a community. Stemming from a healthy level of joy and hesed
love, they explain that Christian group identity “answers the
questions, ‘As followers of Jesus, what kind of people are we? How do the
people of God act?” Let us explore three areas in which group identity operates
within church small groups.
Group Identity that Changes our Behavior
When it comes to changing our behaviors, Wilder and Hendricks help us
to understand the science behind our brain’s ability to control our willpower: “Direct
willpower has little effect on our character…When we understand how God
designed our brains, we can see that willpower is too far downstream to
directly influence reflex reactions.” Instead of trying to use raw effort in
changing our character, the two authors recommend tapping into a high-joy hesed
community that possesses a strong group identity. Within our churches, the
small group ministry is an ideal source for this, for the support that is available
can help each of us navigate distressing scenarios and can assist us in the
creation of strategies that change our daily behaviors.
The commonly known “iron sharpens iron” phrase from Proverbs
27:17 is easily applied within this context as small groups allow us to learn
from others who have experienced similar seasons of life. In
our last article, it was stated that one of the more dangerous tools that
the enemy uses against us is the state of loneliness because he has an easier
time to convince us to make poor decisions (actions that we otherwise would not
have made if among others). Would Eve have made the decision to eat the apple if
Adam was by her side? Would David have pursued Bathsheba if Nathan was walking
alongside of him on the rooftop that night? Group identity becomes a support
net for the scenarios in our lives that tempt us to sin or to stray away from
holiness. When we are vulnerable and share our hearts, our brothers and
sisters in Christ are able to give us meaningful and impactful advice that can lead
us to change our behaviors and to become more Christ-like.
Group Identity that Forms our Character
Another danger of being in a state of loneliness is forgetting our
identity in Christ. Yet within a small group that meets on a consistent basis, Wilder
and Hendricks explain that more opportunities are available for us to remind
each other who we are. They elaborate, explaining that “regular reminders
ground our identity in the character of Jesus. We need to tell each other what
kind of people we are, not only as a reminder but also to immerse new
Christians into their new identities.” Even in Cheers, we see this
process as new “outsider” characters like Kristie Alley’s Rebecca, Woody
Harrelson’s Woody, and Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier each come aboard in later
seasons and become integrated, accepted, and then eventually acclimated into
the community. Wilder and Hendricks note that “character is revealed by how we
act instinctively to our relational surroundings” and that over time, “the
people with whom we share joy, hesed, and belonging change us outside
the realm of our direct willpower.” Just as a battery can be recharged when electrical
current is run through it, our faith can be recharged by spending time with
fellow Christians.
Group Identity that Solidifies our Purpose
According to Scripture, each of us are born with at least one spiritual
gift (1 Cor 12:7). Such gifts are not meant to be left idle, but rather meant
to be shared with others whom the Lord places into our care. While some use
their God-given gifts to go on to minister to the world, others are called by
God to use their gifts to minister to the individual standing right next to
them. In the eyes of the kingdom of God, each scenario is just as important as
the other (Matt 18:10-14), and, in either case, we can discover deeper purpose for
each of us here on this earth. By being in a small group, we are greeted with
the chance to utilize our spiritual gifts more often and experience the heavenly
affirmation that comes with the feeling of being used by the Lord for the benefit
of His kingdom. Wilder and Hendricks say, “Our group identity must reflect the
multifaceted character of Jesus.” Indeed, when we utilize our spiritual gifts
within a joy-filled hesed community that has a healthy group identity,
we put on display the image of Jesus and show a glimpse of what He might do if He was still
in human form today. Let us foster a community within our small groups that
allow us to speak into each other and reaffirm what kind of people we are. Let
us make a commitment to be in fellowship so that we sharpen one
another and recharge each other’s batteries. Let us pursue a group identity
that mirrors the bold image of God for all the world to see.