When was the last time you watched a movie at home with your family and a few friends? Did you call the church office to decide whose house you would go to? Did you ask your pastor who to invite?

Probably not!

If you are like most people, you just drove over to your local video store, checked out a movie, and called a friend or two. If that’s the case for most Christians, then why do we go to so much trouble signing people up to get into small groups and matching them with a small group leader?

I realize this may be a new idea, but ironically it better follows Jesus’ model for forming his own small group community with the 12 disciples. First he spent time with a number of “Christ followers” getting to know them and discerning whether they would be the ones he “asked” to join his own group. Then the Bible says he prayed overnight to confirm if they were the ones, and then the next day he simply asked them to come with him.

The model follows a simple A-B-C plan to not do your life alone, but to do life together in community with a few other friends and family. Discover the ABC’s of Jesus’ small group strategy:

A – Ask God who he wants you to connect with. Reflect on the fact that this is not about a 40-Day journey but a simple intentional step. Jesus gave us the example of a healthy balance of alone time to pray and meditate, but also a clear call to do ministry and life together with others.

Think about your lists in life. An obvious one is your cell phone list. Look at your contact list. Scroll through and pick up a few names. Don’t forget your address list, Christmas card list, sports team list, PTA list, neighborhood list, school list, on and on.

Take these lists and consider who you would enjoy getting together with for six weeks. Make it a time of prayerful reflection as you seek who God would have you “call to community.”

B – Begin calling the three, five, eight or twelve names God gave you. The beauty of this model is that it’s not a matter of “if,” it’s a matter of “when” you are going to do it and “who” you’re going to call. You’ve taken care of the “if” by saying you want to grow like Jesus did.

Be willing to call the names that God gives you. Look for people who are teachable and want to grow, or others who are seriously seeking. You want people who want to be there.

Start with two or three. These groups don’t have to be big; they just need to begin with a man or woman of faith – not seminary professors or pastors, just a few friends. The Scripture says “Where two or more are gathered” (not 22 or even 12 like Jesus).

Pray for the names on your list. Get others, such as a pastor or church staff member to pray with you.

C – Check out the curriculum you can use for the six weeks series.

Visit Purpose Driven Life Small Groups Resource Page and find a curriculum that suits your group’s growth level. There is a wealth of resources available here for a group and for training as a leader. What’s important is getting together a few people who will commit themselves to a group for six weeks and make it happen. Chances are, those few weeks will lead into more and pretty soon, they won’t want to quit! You will find that the curriculum isn’t as important as the fellowship and shared life together. Just get started; God will take care of the rest!