Historically, circles (small groups) and rows (Sunday school) have fought for discipleship in the church. Each has similar purposes with different applications, but the distant relationship continues today. Is this a major rivalry or a necessary competition?
Controversial rivals?
Historically, there has been no love lost between circles and rows. The fanatics in the small groups broke up and fled from the tense row guards gathered together on Sunday morning. Fleeing the church building, they sought to relax and open up. Circle seekers wanted to learn, but they also wanted friends. With the rows, the impression was impersonal. We could project whatever image we wanted of themselves. In circles, the trajectory towards transparency was more timely.
On the other hand, the rows were seeing circles and getting nervous. Small groups presented many risks. Risks that even Martin Luther admitted through the Reformation. So much so that he allowed small groups to meet in homes because the possible dangers would ruin the credibility of their movement. Rows also looked into the circles and saw examples of compromised doctrinal integrity. Small groups had lowered the bar for biblical and doctrinal teaching by using statements such as “To me this text means…” rather than what the text meant when the original author(s) wrote it.
Competition?
From a contentious relationship between rows and circles, churches began offering a hybrid model of Sunday school and small groups. Both resided under the roof of the same local church.
A more civil path was wiser: open peace with secret competition. The battle became a competition to convince and persuade others to join circles or rows. A lack of trust ensued, and the two ministries seeking to make disciples of Jesus Christ became isolated from each other.
When there is competition between these two departments, people feel pulled in multiple directions to join multiple types of groups and bite more than they can chew. As a result, they become less engaged in their small group classes and Sunday school classes, and their leaders become frustrated with the lack of engagement. When one member of the body competes with another, it can prevent others from maturing into the full stature of Christ, as shown Ephesians 4:12-16“whose whole body… when each part functions properly, causes the body to grow so that it builds itself in love.”
As I have worked with hybrid churches, circles, and row ministries both present in their local church, I am amazed at how quickly spiritual growth increases when both ministries work together. When the competition is removed and the uplifting talk of each ministry is introduced, the amount of numerical and spiritual growth encourages me greatly. Of course, Sunday school and small groups should not compete; rather, they should be more so. Nothing healthy comes from internal conflicts within an organization, much less the people gathered together by God! Circles and rows don’t need to be contentious or competitive. They can complement and maybe even more…
Complementary?
“Can circles and rows function healthily under the same local church? The short answer: yes. Both can accept each other. Here’s the truth: Some people want Sunday school, and others want small groups.
My advice: give the people what they want. Sunday School Provides Spiritual Benefits discipleship opportunities. A small group does it too. Are they the same? No. Is one better than the other? Not necessarily. It depends on the areas of discipleship in which the person wishes to grow. Discipleship is not just educational or relational. A mixture of both is necessary to feed the spiritual appetite of the disciple. Some see Sunday school or small group ministry competition and seek to sacrifice one to create more unity. However, both add value. A simple question to ask and answer before throwing the ax at a group is:
When determining whether a group is achieving the primary goal of making disciples, you need to ask the question, “Do you see any biblical practices happening within their circle or rows?”
Fellowship, Bible study, prayer, and mutual care are all hallmarks of biblical practices within a group. If they practice some or all of these practices, the group is providing value to discipleship. Allowing both types of groups (mid-sized and small groups) to exist within the local church while publicly encouraging and validating them creates a complementary relationship between the two ministries. Now more people can be trained in various forms that can help them engage earlier and for longer. Additionally, it can strengthen areas that they didn’t realize the necessary stretching and growth from before.
How can circles and lines be complementary? By promoting both ministries through Word, the website, group lists, leadership resourcing and leadership equipping. Do not favor one ministry over another. Include both in communication channels. May they all be considered equals and under-shepherds to manage the souls the Lord has entrusted to them in their circle or row.
Collaborative?
In my experience, circles and rows are best friends. They have different strengths and weaknesses: both desire to fulfill the Great Commission of discipling every nation. However, one is better than the other in developing a specific faculty of a Christian. Sunday School will provide a deeper dive into the Bible and theology in a lecture-style lesson. While small groups allow people to experience the lessons they learned from a conference. Circle discussion allows for immediate implementation of the truth they are learning. However, rows allow for deeper study beyond what a circle discussion can offer. The rows reinforce the knowledge of Christians. The circles reinforce the application of this knowledge. Both are right, good and necessary. Neither can be done well without the other. Are circles and rows naturally in contentious competition? No, they are naturally positioned as the best friends and collaborative partners for disciples who are living the growing gospel.
The lines help the circles. The circles help the lines. Together they create a discipleship path for people. Circles in a home can be intimidating. They are more transparent and therefore more risky in relational terms. This can be intimidating and counterproductive to a new person’s spiritual formation. Lines require less transparency and are relationally safer. Gaining biblical and theological knowledge can ease a person’s nerves and make them feel like they belong in the study discussion of a small group. A more informed disciple creates a disciple more comfortable in an emotionally risky environment such as a home group. Relational disciples create a healthier application of a Sunday school lesson. The rows provide an immediate connection point on Sunday morning for someone to join a group and have child care available. Small groups provide a next step beyond Sunday school classes to measure what they learn in discussion and activate those lessons. For leadership development, it is easier to begin leading a small group from a skills standpoint than a Sunday school class. Whereas a Sunday school class allows for more appropriate training for potentially preaching in a worship service.
In the churches I have worked for as a staff member, with extensive consultation, circles and rows are best for strengthening discipleship in ways they otherwise would not.
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