Must Christians be in a small group of some sort in addition to Sunday worship? 

Our church body will be studying Hebrews 10 this coming Sunday and two verses therein bring that question to my mind. Hebrews 10:24-25 says this: And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

We must not neglect meeting together. That much is clear. However, I don’t think the author has small groups or additional meetings in mind when writing this verse. He is speaking about the Sunday gathering of worship. That singular gathering is where the people of God gather around the Word of God through preaching, praying, singing, and demonstrating it together. We are commanded to do those things (Lk. 22:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:1, 4:13; and 2 Tim. 4:2) publicly when the whole church is assembled together (Acts 15:22 and 1 Cor. 14:23). It should be the ordinary and expected practice for anyone professing to be a Christian to regularly gather for corporate worship with other believers. That is all that Hebrews 10:24-25 is requiring. 

So…should groups be required? Should you feel like you are doing the wrong thing if you cannot commit to a group? No. We ought not create or submit to commands that bind one’s conscience to feel the burden of obedience in ways that Scripture itself does not. 

However, the way you and I engage in the life of the church - and by that I mean the people who make up the church - on Sundays and throughout the week must be meeting the other requirements of Hebrews 10:24-25 that we are stirring one another up to love and good works and encouraging each other. If you are committed to the gathering on Sundays and yet failing to accomplish those goals, then you are missing the point. 

Groups are not required, but they may be the very best way to ensure that you are fulfilling the entire charge given to us in Hebrews 10. Gathering in smaller groups with others in the church may be the very best tool at your disposal in helping you follow Jesus. At HVBC, we have Life Groups that meet on Sunday mornings, Youth Group on Sunday evenings, Life Groups that meet in homes throughout the week, and smaller Discipleship Groups of 2-4 people meeting at various times and places. These groups, we believe, are the best way for you to be sure that you are meeting the expectations for Christian relationships within the church body and for you to receive the encouragement and equipping you need to continue growing in your own faith and sanctification.

There may be seasons where you are unable to commit to a group of some sort and that is OK! It is not sin in any way to not be in a group. But be sure you know when and how you are able to give and receive the other actions we see in those verses. You need it. The church needs it from you. For all our sake.