Small Groups in Family Contexts: A Paradigm for the African Church

Abstract

The focal point of the local church seems to shift and continues to move from the public assembly to the private setting of the household gathering post-COVID-19 pandemic. The houses or homes have become the heart or the core of church fellowship. Moreover, with the opening up of worship places, some church members appear to prefer to worship from the comfort of their homes. The development brings to the fore the family setting as the integral component of the Sabbath gathering. This paper intends to evaluate the vital role of small groups in households or the family settings of the local church within the African context. Firstly, it explores how the communal social dynamic of African families promotes fellowship and discipleship within small groups. Secondly, it examines the theological ramifications of small groups in the household context of the New Testament. Thirdly, it investigates the leadership involvement in small group settings, emphasizing and identifying the training and launching of leaders in the family context. Finally, the article surveys how evangelism finds implementation in small groups in the family contexts. The study concludes that the Christian home has become an integral component of the local church, providing a collaborative ministry environment post-COVID-19 within the African community.