In his book, Waking the Dead, John Eldredge writes: “When he left Rivendell, Frodo didn’t head out with 1,000 elves. He had eight companions. Jesus didn’t march around backed by hundreds of followers either. He had 12 men. . . .
Though we are part of a great company, we are meant to live in little platoons. The little companies we form must be small enough for each of the members to know one another as friends and allies.” In the closing section of Colossians, Paul listed and described his little platoon of friends and allies.
In describing his platoon, Paul used relational language. He said Tychicus was a “dear brother, a faithful minister,” and a “fellow servant” in the Lord (Colossians 4:7 NIV). It was probably Paul’s theology of equality that allowed him to build a significant relationship with the slave Onesimus (Colossians 4:9; Philemon 1:10). The apostle called him “a faithful and beloved brother.”
Another platoon member was Mark (Colossians 4:10). This was the same Mark who abandoned Paul in the middle of a mission. When he went AWOL, it caused so much tension between Paul and Barnabas that they ended up separating (Acts 15:36-39). The fact that Mark was now ministering with (and to) Paul (2 Timothy 4:11) reveals that the two had renewed their relationship through forgiveness and reconciliation.
In addition to Tychicus, Onesimus, and Mark, Paul also listed Aristarchus, Jesus (who is called Justus), Luke, and Demas (Colossians 4:10-14). Lastly, Paul wrote that Epaphras also cared for him and the Colossians by praying “earnestly” for them (Colossians 4:12-13). The men made up a small platoon, but it had a big relational impact on the apostle Paul.
As believers in Jesus, we’re called to live in little platoons as well. These groups of growing Christians will thrive as we accept, forgive, serve, comfort, pray for, and work hard for one another.
More:
Read Romans 16 to view another list of Paul’s friends and how they made a great impact on his life and ministry.
Next:
Who are the members of your little platoon? How have they comforted, served, accepted, prayed for, and worked hard for you lately? What kind of platoon member are you?
lindagma on February 15, 2011 at 7:48 am
It’s what keeps us going…gives us insight…encouragement through difficulties…someone to rejoice with…part of the “Heavenly Plan.” Fellowship is vital to our Christian walk and keeps our focus on Him.
marvin williams on February 15, 2011 at 5:01 pm
We are not islands to ourselves. Spiritual growth and formation cannot take place apart from community. Someone has said, “In the absence of feedback, we develop our own reality. Honest fellowship with other believers opens our lives up for transformation. Thanks for your comment.
cspevacek on February 15, 2011 at 8:13 am
Marvin thank you for todays comment. It brings small group ministry into the right perspective. My husband and I once attended a chuech where we were part of a Stephens Ministry group, We enjoyed the work we did in the church as well as the fellowship of the other Stephen’s ministers but that soon fell apart, as someone in the church who was not fond of this concept, spread rumors that we were a cliche and not really helping others. It didn’t take long for this to spread and we ended a very worthwhile ministry and left the church. To this day some of us will not join a small group. But I can see the signifgance of it now. Maybe I will stop crinching and get reinvolved at my new church.
marvin williams on February 15, 2011 at 5:06 pm
How unfortunate. Man, church can be messy sometimes, can’t it? I am glad you experienced the value of Small Group ministry. My wife and I have been part of a small group or growth group for the last five years, and it has blessed us in so many ways. I have become a better husband, father, preacher and friend because of my small group. I wish everyone could experience the life of community. The blessing is worth the risk. Thanks for being so transparent. Blessings!
winn collier on February 15, 2011 at 11:54 am
I’m finding that my heart comes alive in these little spaces. Some of the most profound impact others have had on me is in these “platoons.” I hope I’m giving that away to a few others.
marvin williams on February 15, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Winn, I know I have come alive and experience life in a whole new way because of these little platoons. There have been times when God used my platoon to prune me so that i could bear more fruit. Thanks for adding your voice to this conversation.
eppistle on February 15, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Our heart longs for these “platoon” relationships where people will love us just the way we are, but challenge us to be everything that God wants us to be. But so many Christian’s only interaction with other Christians is during a worship service and as a result they remain faces in a crowd. Even those who join small groups often end up in superficial relationships where they are more successful at keeping up a good image than they are at making a difference in the lives of the others in their group and in their own lives. If we are going to experience these platoon relationships where the “one another” commands of the Bible are obeyed, we will need to sacrifice time and risk being vulnerable and transparent.
marvin williams on February 15, 2011 at 5:17 pm
eppistle, you are spot on. In my church and cultural tradition we didn’t have small groups, but we experienced community. The “village” raised us. Deacons, mothers, choir members pitched in to make sure we were living like Jesus wanted us to live. Also, our youth choir hung out all the time, talking about scriptures and what God was doing in our lives. Again, we were not a formal small group, but we were establishing community. The reason that i didn’t end up in jail or in trouble was because of my little platoons. I look back now and see that we were vulnerable with each other and even confessed sins to each other. I can’t imagine my life without a little platoon. Thanks for adding your voice to this conversation. Blessings!