Aligning with Like-Minded Peers Can Propel You Forward on Your Christian Walk
A mastermind group is a peer-to-peer mentoring alliance where members work together to help one another solve problems, overcome roadblocks, and move forward. I’m part of two author mastermind groups. In them we encourage and support each other as writers, propelling us forward in our craft. It’s most beneficial.
I wonder if I should apply this concept to my Christian journey, too, and be part of a Christian mastermind group. Though I’ve experienced this a couple times on a basic level from a church small group or Bible study, they’ve fallen short of what a mastermind group can provide.
Though we might want to call it by something with a less business-sounding name, what can we hope to gain from a spiritual mastermind group?
Iron Sharpens Iron
In Proverbs, King Solomon says that “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17, NIV). As we surround ourselves with like-minded followers of Jesus, we will help each other become stronger in our faith. A spiritual mastermind group can do this for us, propelling us forward on our faith journey.
Two Is Better Than One
A parallel passage, also penned by King Solomon, reminds us that “two are better than one.” If either falls, there’s someone present to pick them up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NIV). We need each other. God didn’t create us to be alone (Genesis 2:22).
A Cord of Three Strands
Later, Solomon writes that a three-stranded cord has great strength (Ecclesiastes 4:12). There is safety and strength in numbers. One way to realize this is through a spiritual mastermind group.
Party of Five
We also find support for this concept from motivational speaker Jim Rohn, who says “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” What better way to accomplish this by spending time with five like-minded disciples of Jesus in a spiritual mastermind group?
Moving Forward with a Spiritual Mastermind Group
What have you done informally to enjoy these benefits that walking through life with two, three, or five can accomplish? What more could you realize if you pursued this idea with greater intention?
We can receive much benefit by partnering with another or forming a group of three. How greater the outcome could be if we align with five other like-minded Christians to form a spiritual mastermind group?
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
2 replies on “Should You Be Part of a Spiritual Mastermind Group?”
Hi Peter,
I really agree with the content of this post. I believe that participation in a small group is not only beneficial for Believers; I believe this type of involvement in a discipleship/accountability group is the missing link in what plagues much of Western Christianity today. The type of small group you described is very similar to the class meetings that where part of the early Methodist movement which facilitated it’s rapid expansion in the 1800s here in America. Because the Church is more Biblically described as organic rather than institutional, it would appear that some type of community building would be in order. Great article.
Well said, Robert! Thanks for adding your insight to this post.