Why You Need a Small Group

Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram Daily Podcast

Living on the Edge

Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.9 • 1.7K Ratings

🗓️ 1 August 2025

⏱️ 27 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “The Christian needs another Christian… for by himself he cannot help himself.” In this special program, Chip explains why godly, authentic community is the antidote for many Christians who feel lonely and disconnected from the Body of Christ. Hear why simply being a ‘consumer’ of a church is not enough and how forging meaningful bonds with fellow believers can transform your faith.

Stories Over Data: Chip emphasizes that stories resonate more deeply than facts, capturing hearts and imaginations.
Beyond Surface-Level Connection: Chip shares his personal journey of realizing the need for deeper relationships beyond a "perfect" church experience, highlighting the emptiness of being "relationally high and dry."
The Power of Participation: True spiritual growth and discovering one's purpose come from active engagement and genuine connection within a community, not just passive consumption.
Fulfilling Core Needs: Chip argues that fundamental human longings for connection and purpose can only be met through authentic relationships, combating widespread loneliness and depression.
Small Groups are Key: Intimate small groups provide the essential environment for true relationships to flourish, allowing individuals to be known, supported, and transformed.
Call to Action: Chip urges listeners to join or start a small group, emphasizing that significant life change happens in the context of supportive community.
Personal Impact: Chip shares how his own monthly small group provides vital sustenance and ongoing personal growth.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	In his classic book, Life Together, the late Dietrich Bonhofer wrote,
0:05.5	The Christian needs another Christian who speaks God's word to him.
0:09.2	He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged,
0:13.3	for by himself he cannot help himself.
0:16.2	He needs his brother as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word of salvation.
0:21.6	Coming up on Living on the Edge, Chip will unpack the influence and necessity of Christian
0:26.2	community.
0:27.2	I'm Dave Drewie.
0:28.7	Thanks for joining us for this special program, and I'd like to welcome in our Bible teacher,
0:33.0	Chip Ingram, to give us a bit of context for this message today.
0:37.1	Thanks, Dave.
0:37.9	If you've listened to Living on the Edge for a very long time, you've heard us talk about bio, B-I-O.
0:44.6	It's an acronym.
0:45.6	It's for life.
0:46.9	Throughout church history or today, you meet a man or a woman that is a lot like Jesus,
0:52.7	and I will tell you for sure, three things are happening in their
0:55.6	life and their practice. They come before God regularly, probably daily. And then they're doing
1:01.6	life I, in community. They're connected to other believers. There's support. There's accountability.
1:07.4	There's real love. And finally, on mission, the heartbeat of this ministry is believers,
1:13.4	not just hearing God's word, but actually living it out. That's absolutely right, Chip. And because
1:19.1	we are focusing in on the eye of that acronym today, I wanted to share an email we received
1:24.7	that really drives home the importance of being in community with other
	...

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