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Small Tables

Small Table: A Different Kind of Spiritual Community

A small table is a simple way to grow in faith together: 4–8 people meeting regularly for honesty, encouragement, and Spirit-led discipleship. It’s not a class or Bible study—there are no gurus or leaders—just peers walking intentionally with Jesus.

Here’s how it works in five steps.

Step One: Find the Right People – trust takes time

A strong group doesn’t happen overnight. Take your time—sometimes six months or more—to gather the right 4–8 people. Share life stories, ask questions, and learn to listen well. Some may step away, and that’s okay.

What to Look For

  • Shared values and direction in life
  • People you can trust and feel safe with
  • Desire to grow in discipleship
  • Similar social skills (mutual growth, not mentoring)
  • Commitment to confidentiality
  • Diversity of journeys (including those still exploring faith)
  • Single-sex groups (men’s and women’s tables form differently)

Step Two: Set Your Course – create the future, don’t just rehash the past

Each person builds their own Rule of Life: a picture of what life could look like in 6–12 months. This becomes your personal compass. Share it with the group and help each other grow into the person your “rule” describes.

Step Three: Agree to Journey Together – a covenant for nine months

When ready, commit to journey together for nine months. Once the covenant is made, the table is closed—no new members join. At the end, the group dissolves to make space for new tables.

Why nine months?

  • Less than 6 → too shallow
  • More than 12 → group becomes stale

Friendships last, and many tables reunite later, but the cycle keeps things fresh.

Step Four: The Journey – walk together with rhythm and practices

1. A Rhythm

  • Daily: Pray “together” using the Lectio 365 app morning and night.
  • Weekly: Meet for honest, Spirit-led conversations. Laugh, support, celebrate, and share life openly.

2. A Gathering Flow

  • Reflection (What did God teach me? What’s my One Percenter? Where do I need prayer?)
  • Prayer & thanksgiving
  • Communion (if agreed)

3. One Percenters

Commit weekly to a small, practical step of growth. Share it, celebrate progress, and check in together.

Examples:

  • Build prayer life → read a book on contemplative prayer
  • Stop smoking → track spending and cravings
  • Break negative thinking → count daily negatives and laugh at yourself

4. Spiritual Practices

Strengthen your journey with practices like:

  • Prayer through Lectio 365
  • Fasting or solitude
  • Generosity challenges
  • Group experiments (e.g., Tim’s Gym)
  • Exploring new worship or service styles
  • Learning from fresh perspectives

Step Five: Spiritual Conversations – listen well, speak humbly, follow the Spirit

Spiritual conversations help us notice how God is moving among us. They aren’t debates or lectures—they’re spaces to listen, reflect, and grow together in Christ.

The Focus

  • Listening with openness
  • Speaking with humility
  • Allowing the Spirit to guide

Listening

To the Person Speaking

  • Be patient; don’t interrupt
  • Listen for the Spirit’s voice
  • Acknowledge God’s presence in their words
  • Ask meaningful questions

To Yourself

  • Reflect on how the conversation challenges or encourages you
  • Notice what triggers you—without defending or explaining it

To the Spirit

  • Recognize where God is moving
  • Look for signs of healing, repentance, hope, and love
  • Receive these gifts through what’s shared

Speaking

  • Be slow to speak, and gentle when you do
  • Practice humility, patience, and kindness
  • Use soft openings like:
    • “I wonder if…”
    • “Maybe someone has more light than me…”
  • Don’t push your opinion—the Spirit is the teacher
  • Share personally from your own journey (not from authorities or quotes)

Beyond the Small Table – multiply joy, spread the Kingdom

Every few months, small tables gather as a Big Table: to celebrate, worship, share stories, and sometimes witness baptisms. It’s a reminder that God’s Kingdom is growing among us.

Eventually—after 18–24 months—it’s time to create more space for others. That’s why covenants end and groups dissolve. By then, you’ve lived the journey and learned how spiritual formation happens. Now you can help others begin.

A small table is about:

  • Honest connection
  • Mutual accountability
  • Small steps that lead to big growth
  • Creating the future God is calling you to

And it’s about multiplying joy—spreading the love of Jesus further than your own table.