Small Tables

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If you’re looking to build a meaningful spiritual community, it’s essential to take your time gathering the right group of people. Ideally, aim for a group of 4 to 8 individuals. Expect the gathering process to take a long time.

Start by identifying people who might be interested. Give them space to explore, invite others, or even step away if it’s not a good fit. It’s important to find individuals who share your general life direction and your walk with Christ. This common ground will help you understand each other and provide the support and accountability needed for genuine growth.

Interestingly, you might discover that some people who aren’t yet Christians share your values and social skills more closely than those already in the faith. What matters most is finding people you can truly connect with, who make you feel comfortable being yourself.

For your group to work, trust and mutual understanding are key. If you find yourselves questioning things like confidentiality or whether someone fits in, it’s a sign that they might not be the right match for your group. Get to know and love one another enough to feel comfortable making a covenant to live in community for nine months.

Here is the checklist we have used:

• Similar Social Skills: This isn’t about mentoring but mutual growth. You need to be able to speak plainly without worrying about triggering or offending one another.
• Confidentiality: What happens at the small table stays at the small table.
• Spiritual Diversity:  Diversity of experience can add color and enthusiasm. We are all on a journey together, grateful for redemption.  (So far we have not seen a small table commence that didn’t include at least one person still on the way toward committing to following Jesus.)
• People with aspirations:  They want to grow in their discipleship to Christ.   They are practical and want to “do” the Bible, rather than “learn” about it.
• Single sex groups:   Men’s groups and women’s groups function differently, have different etiquette, and form at different speeds.
  

Focus on the Future, Not the Past

This journey isn’t about where you’ve been; it’s about where you’re going.

In many Christian small groups, the focus is on the past. But here, we’re doing things a little differently. The past only matters if there’s something holding you back. If your past and/or what you believe about yourself is unhelpful, visit the resources page and follow the link to “Awaken”.

At a small table we move beyond the “poor dear” mentality and learn to laugh at our story. It takes time, but it’s crucial for growth.

If someone’s past is a problem, the real question becomes: “What are you going to do to move forward?” Each week, we focus on a “One Percenter”—a small, intentional step toward growth. We hold each other accountable, asking, “What’s your One Percenter this week?” and “How did it go with last week’s?”

There are many places for people who want to share their painful stories in a safe space, but a small table is different. We’re here to rewrite our stories, not just tell them, to take action, and to create the future we want. We are not here to “find” ourselves; we “create” ourselves.

One small table member put it well: “I didn’t come here to be mothered.”

A small table is a covenant community of people ready to take responsibility for their journey, with the support of others who are doing the same.

What’s a “One Percenter”?

A “One Percenter” is a small, actionable step that makes a 1% difference in your life. We’re not aiming for 100% change in a week—that’s unrealistic. Instead, focus on something manageable and achievable that moves you closer to your God-shaped future.

For example, don’t commit to learning how to pray in silence, quitting smoking, or overcoming negative thinking in just one week. These are big goals that take time. Instead, choose a One Percenter that’s a firm promise you can keep—a small action you know you can accomplish.

Your One Percenter isn’t about grand gestures or vague intentions. It’s a concrete step toward real, measurable change. Ask yourself: What’s one small thing I can do this week to move closer to the life God is calling me to?

Here are a few examples:

• Contemplative Prayer: “Read a short book about contemplative prayer.”
• Quitting Smoking: “Figure out how much I spend on cigarettes and when I most crave one.”
• Negative Thinking: “Count how many times I go negative each day, and make sure I laugh at myself every time I do it.”

Your One Percenter should align with your long-term goals—whether it’s about repentance, relationships, physical health, learning, personal growth, or spiritual practices. Remember, the Christian life isn’t just about your inner world. Your One Percenter might also involve mission, service, influence, or impact on others.

Each week when you meet, you’ll have the chance to celebrate a “win” and see genuine growth and change—sometimes within yourself, and sometimes in how you influence the world around you.

One of the most rewarding parts of being in a small table community is the deep connection you build with others. It’s a space where you can “get things off your chest,” develop mutual respect, and know you won’t be judged. Here, people believe in you, and you’re encouraged to believe in yourself.

The One Percenters have brought about something unexpected. Being honest about ourselves can be challenging, but the 1% process makes it easier. By taking small steps, we gradually open up, sharing a little at a time. As trust grows, so does the depth of our connections. Before we know it, we truly know each other, and we’re able to laugh, cry, and explore the mysteries of life together.

This is what loving one another looks like—a journey of honesty, respect, and genuine connection.

Start Practicing straight away

Incorporating spiritual practices can enrich your journey and deepen your connection with God. One tool we’ve found invaluable is Lectio 365—a daily prayer app that helps our small table, and others on this journey, pray together each day. One member even said, “I actually stopped and looked around for a listening device. Someone is reading my mind.”

For those ready for a deep dive, consider joining Tim’s Gym—a six-week discipleship program that’s great for establishing a small table group.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different practices. Try fasting, challenge each other to give financially, or spend a day in solitude. You can even make it a shared One Percenter for the week. This is your chance to explore the classic spiritual practices, find what resonates with you, and integrate it into your daily, weekly, or annual routine.

Refreshing your spiritual life is one of the many rewards of being part of a small table.

When the Time is Right: Commit to Your Rule of Life

The Rule of Life is a personal guide to living out your faith. Each person in your small table creates their own rule, a set of commitments they will follow. Once you’ve defined your rule, make a promise to the others in your group to live by it together while you remain in covenant with one another. There’s even a ritual you can use to make these promises and formally establish your community.

Your commitment to your small table is for nine months. During this time, if others express interest in joining, they won’t be able to join your existing group. A small table works best as a close-knit brotherhood or sisterhood, and adding new members would mean starting the trust process over. Instead, you’re welcome to start a new table for them. At the end of the period, you might decide to stay with your original group or commit to a new one.

After the Promises: What Comes Next?

What happens after your small table makes its promises to each other? Each group’s journey will be unique, but often a common need for growth will emerge. For example, one group discovered that everyone was struggling with a similar inner issue. They found resources to address it and are now working together to find the freedom God intends for them.

Your small table is a space for shared growth, support, and the deepening of your faith. As you follow your Rule of Life, you’ll find new ways to support each other on your spiritual journey.

We suggest that your small table break covenant after nine months. One of the most common experiences in Christian small groups is that deep friendships form, and after a while it becomes a highly spiritual but ineffective “happy place” for the participants. By breaking the covenant and dissolving the group, each member of the table has the opportunity to find others to recommence the journey toward a new small table. Our experience is also that this is fairly easy to do. Many of us find that we mention the table in general conversation, and others actually ask if they can join. This is the simplest and most natural way we have found to allow the good news to get out. Groups that finish always find themselves having reunions. We became friends right?

Why nine months. Again – experience. Six months isn’t long enough for the good things to happen. By twelve months groups find themselves getting a bit “stale”. So – we split the difference.

You will see the “Big Table” advertised. This is a quarterly get together of disciple making communities. It’s wonderful to see what God is doing, and to realise that the Kingdom is coming! Also a good place to build your network and find like minded people. If you have people in your table who need to be baptised, we can do this while we are together.

A “typical” small table gathering

1. Each person has 5 -10 minutes to reflect on God’s movement in their lives over the past week.
The questions are:

• What did the Lord say to me or teach me?  (What scripture “lit up”?  What was so good that I just have to share it?)
• What am I doing about that? 
• Is there a 1%er I need to declare, (or one I need to report back about?)
• Can I ask for your prayers and support?
• What was my outstanding “God moment” this week in service or ministry?

2. Prayer and thanksgiving

3. Communion if that is part of the agreement you have as a small table. 

A note on etiquette: Spiritual Conversations

Listen

• To the Person Speaking: Understand, be patient, don’t interrupt, and listen for the Spirit’s voice. Acknowledge the presence of God in their words and ask meaningful questions.
• To Yourself: Reflect on how the conversation encourages and invites you to grow. Notice any triggers without needing to discuss them.
• To The Spirit: Recognize where God is moving in the story, and where you see healing, repentance, hope, and love. Accept these gifts through what the person is saying.

Speak

• Be slow to speak and kind when you do.
• Practice humility, patience, and gentleness. Pre-frame your words with phrases like “I wonder if…” or “Maybe someone has more light than me…”
• Avoid leading others to your opinion. The Spirit is the teacher.
• Don’t quote others or cite authorities. This is a personal journey, focusing on what the Lord is saying and doing among you.