The greatest example of being in a small group is Jesus.  Out of all the disciples that followed him, he spent the most time with twelve of them. And in that group of twelve, he had three who were especially close. Those who would be the disciples of Jesus must practice the disciplines of Jesus. If we want to live as Jesus lived we must do as Jesus did.  So if Jesus felt it important to be in a small group - it must be important.

Jesus was a small group leader. Notice carefully how Mark records the actions of Jesus: Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve – designating them apostles — that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach (Mark 3:13-14).

Involvement in small group life and leadership was a primary spiritual discipline in the life of Jesus Christ. Following Jesus today means following Him into deep relationships with other believers. His pattern was gathering a few to transform the many. As has been observed, Jesus invested most of His time with twelve Jewish men so he could reach the rest of the world. The question we ask is, “If Jesus, the Son of God, chose to strategically minister to a small group, how much more should you and I?

These are some of Jesus' last words to his disciples. It's been called the Great Commission:

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Mt. 28:19-20).

The heart of the Great Commission is the call to make disciples. According to Bill Hull, “The small group is the most strategic training environment used by Christ to make the kind of disciples that glorify God.”

Jesus left us a powerful example of how to fulfill the Great Commission. Be in a small group of people that you can pray with, read the Bible with, discuss the Bible with and fellowshiip with. I hope you are following Christ's example by participating in small group ministry.