What Have You Designed Your Groups to Make?

What have you designed your small groups to make?

This is an ongoing discussion right now…at least in my world.  It’s framed differently from one conversation to another and the frame itself manufactures slightly different answers…most of them a little vague.

What have you designed your groups to make?  Acquaintances?  Friends?  Fully devoted followers?  Disciples?  Followers?

You might prefer, “What are your groups designed to do?”  In which case you might answer “make disciples” or “make disciples who make disciples.”

I’d rather answer this one, “What have you designed your groups to make?”  My answer?  I say, “Our small groups are designed to make followers of Jesus.”  At least, that’s what I say.

Honestly, I’m challenged by something Dallas Willard said when describing a follower or disciple of Jesus:

“Disciples of Jesus are those who are with him, learning to be like him. That is, they are learning to lead their life, their actual existence, as he would lead their life if he were they.” (Renovation of the Heart, 241)

Dallas Willard went on to say:

“A mature disciple is one who effortlessly does what Jesus would do if Jesus were him.”

Question: Have I really designed my small groups to make that kind of follower?

And when I read these lines I’m reminded again that, according to Andy Stanley, my “ministry is perfectly designed to produce the results I’m currently experiencing.”

And if my groups aren’t really designed to make that kind of follower…what would have to be true for my groups to begin producing followers who “effortlessly do what Jesus would do if Jesus were them?”  See also, Skill Training: Design Your Group Meeting for Life-Change, Groups of  All Kinds and the Essential Ingredients of Life-Change, and 8 Habits of a Life-Changing Small Group Leader.

What have you designed your groups to make?

How would you answer that question?

What do you think?  Have one to add? Want to argue?  You can click here to jump into the conversation.