In this series we’re exploring how to lead dynamic small groups living for the sake of the student world. Below is an excerpt from a recent article in FUSE.
Across the world and throughout history, wherever the church has grown quickly and significantly, small groups centred on Christ and His mission have played a pivotal role in the discipleship of new believers and mobilising for mission. Rich Wilson considers how this is particularly true of student mission history.
I like to think that student mission started 2000 years ago when an ex-carpenter called a bunch of young men to be his students. They were like apprentices and that apprenticeship took place in a small group with Jesus at the centre. The case for small groups being a place for transformation, leadership development, and incubation of calling is strong. Jesus inspired and challenged the crowds, but he invested personal relationship into a much smaller group.
Many of the stories I love from student mission history are about students gathering together to seek God for themselves, their campus, their nations, and the nations; holding each other to account for how they live and seeking to apply God’s word to their lives.
Zinzendorf sparked the modern world mission movement and ignited a 100 year non-stop prayer meeting. However, it started with four school friends at the Halle Academy making a vow in 1716. Their simple creed was “none of us lives for himself”.
In 1729, Charles and John Wesley formed a small group in Oxford called the Holy Club with just four initial members. They met not because they thought they were holy, but because they wanted to be. When the group became fired up with the anointing of the Holy Spirit it became the foundation for a revival that reshaped England.
In the University of St Andrews in the 1820s, six young men had a remarkable influence on one another as fellow students. Only one thing seemed to matter to them: “to discover God’s will and do it”. They were instrumental in what would develop as a standout era of Scottish mission.
We know many of these names as great Christian leaders and revivalists, and that is what they became. However, they started where we all start – they started small; making commitments with a few friends about following Jesus faithfully and keeping each other to account for how they live. Yet the eyes of the Lord were on them and God ignited them with his Spirit. When God ignites us, we can no longer be hidden. When the church is set on fire it spreads and grows. It begins to have an impact on people and society; it upsets the status quo.
Small Groups and Fusion
In Fusion’s own 20 year history, small groups have been the most dynamic vehicle for student mission and discipleship. In our early years they multiplied quickly to around 500 across the UK, If we are to contribute to even a footnote in church and student mission history we must take seriously, and make room for, students to lead today’s movement.
Our new workbook Small Groups: Big Mission is out now. We recommend going through the content with leaders and students. The Fusion team deliver small group training empowered by the Holy Spirit, prayer and dynamic content from the workbook.