4 Ways the Cultural Shift Impacts GroupLife

Has it happened yet? If it hasn't, it's just a matter of time. Most likely, it is happening all around you.

In the words of William Gibson, "The future is already here. It's just not evenly distributed."

The future is already here. It's just not evenly distributed. —William Gibson Click To Tweet

What am I talking about? I'm talking about ways the culture shift impacts grouplife.

4 ways the culture shift impacts grouplife:

1. Biblical illiteracy is on the rise.

Yes, most Americans still have more than one Bible in their homes. They simply don't read or understand their Bible. At a minimum, this immediately affects both the selection of studies you offer and the way you must train and resource group leaders.

The question is, how have you already adjusting to meet the needs of group members and leaders whose biblical literacy is low (and getting lower)? If you haven't already begun to shift your strategy, you are behind.

2. A Christian worldview should not be assumed.

This is not just about the arrival and growing influence of other world religions. It actually has just as much to do with the decades long trend to simply include popular wisdom and practices of celebrities (think Oprah), politicians, philosophers, and social activists. Syncretism is "the combination of different forms of belief or practice."

The question is, what have you inserted into your leader development resources, as well as both in-house and off-the-shelf Bible study materials, that helps group members and group leaders alike focus on biblical truth?

What have you inserted into your leader development resources, as well as both in-house and off-the-shelf Bible study materials, that helps group members and group leaders alike focus on biblical truth? Click To Tweet

If you haven't already adjusted your leader training to anticipate this you are behind.

3. Moral ambiguity is pervasive.

Remember when that was only done in secret? Remember when that could only be said in an R rated movie? Or when everyone knew you just didn't do that? This challenge is not reserved for those who haven't joined a small group.

Knowledge of biblical morality cannot be assumed. Compounding the challenge is the fact that "the Bible tells me so" is not an adequate reminder. Instead, meeting the challenge of moral ambiguity will require the right kind of biblical development for coaches and leaders.

Knowledge of biblical morality cannot be assumed. Compounding the challenge is the fact that the Bible tells me so is not an adequate reminder. Instead, meeting the challenge of moral ambiguity will require the right kind of biblical… Click To Tweet

If you haven't begun to help group leaders learn to help members set appropriate guardrails, you are behind.

4. Marital status debates, sexual preference and gender issues are not just in the news.

These issues are also not reserved for those outside of the church. If you haven't already felt the impact in your small group ministry, it is moments away. If you're not already equipping your group leaders and coaches you are behind.

Further Reading: