I remember the first time I heard the illustration of compound interest — it changed my whole perspective. Here’s the scenario: I will either give you $1 million right now, or I will give you a penny today and give you twice as much every single day of the month. Which would you choose?
If you went for the second approach, at the end of 30 days you’d have more than $5 million. That’s the power of multiplication. That power is the same reason Jesus loves to see His disciples multiply.
In Jesus’ model of ministry, we are to make disciples, but it doesn’t stop there. Our disciples are then called to make other disciples. When you make disciples who in turn make disciples, you start operating on a scale of multiplication instead of only addition. That’s how the Great Commission will be accomplished, and how we will see the gospel go to the ends of the earth.
Unfortunately, multiplication hurts more than addition does — especially in a small group setting. Building a sense of community and trust within the group is one of the most important things any small group needs to accomplish. This doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and intentionality for people to be willing to disclose intimate details about themselves and their lives. Once that sense of community, trust, and authenticity is established, you can understand why people are reluctant to start over again.
And yet we must help people not stay in their safe and established small groups; we must help them continue to move on and out so that more and more people can have the benefit of a similar group environment.
How can we make that time of multiplication less painful? Here are four suggestions.... Keep reading
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