Christian formation is a process of growth and maturation. It is very similar to human development (see John 3:3; Romans 8:14-17; Galatians 4:1-7; Ephesians 4:14-16, 5:1-2; Philippians 2:5, 12-13, 3:12-16). We are born into the world as helpless infants. Through the care and nurture given by family and the community over time we grow, develop, and mature into adults who then give birth to children. Growth in Christian maturity happens when persons are helped to attend to all the teachings of Jesus, and not just those that suit their temperament. Christians need formational help to mature through loving God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love their neighbor as themselves.

Our Methodist tradition teaches us that several types of groups are essential for nurturing this process of growth and maturation; known in the Wesleyan tradition as “going on to perfection in love.” The goal being that the congregation becomes a Christ-centered sign community of the coming reign of God. In the process of discipleship, Christians along with their church community cooperate and participate fully in God’s work of salvation that heals and transforms their character to become more and more like Christ.

Small groups help the congregation attend to the command of Jesus to “love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). We live out this love when we help our brothers and sisters in Christ to become faithful, mature, dependable disciples of Jesus Christ who witness to him and follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship, and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.