Reflection: Connect Relationships on Four Levels

Introduction

The book titled, “The Relational Way: From Small Group Structures to Holistic Life Connections,” by Scott Boren, is a prequel to another one of Boren's book titled, “How Do We Get There from Here?” In this book, the author has written about group ministry and has dispelled ten of the most common myths about small group ministry. He dealt with each myth in a different chapter. Each of the chapter investigates the myths also includes the opinions and views of psychologists and theologians, as well as Boren's own biblical exegesis.

Discussion

In the chapter, 'Connect Relationships of Four Levels,' Boren deals with the myth that small group/large group structure is all that needs to develop community in a church. He gives the rational truth for this myth that God's relational kingdom connects people on four levels. In this chapter, Boren first explains the relationship of Jesus with other people. According to the author, Jesus had a web of connections. He had a different relationship with each one of his followers: some were close to him, some financially helped him, some ate with him, some were his friends, some misunderstood him, and some he kept a distance with and so on. The different ways Jesus ministered his connections were explained in this book. The book further explains the web of connections of Jesus. The author gives a beautiful example of the strength of people's relationships, “A few years ago, I was watering our flower beds with a high powered spray nozzle. Above some plants was a large spider's web. Because I was carrying my son, I did not want to knock it down with my hand. Thinking a concentrated blast of water would do it, I sprayed it for a minute or so without success. That day my son ...