"And It Is a Little One"

“Flee to the mountains,” were the words uttered by the angels, as they were preparing to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, along with all the other suburbs and towns of the valley (Genesis 19:17). However, Lot thought himself unable to get to the mountains, so he requested permission from the angels to flee to the small city of Zoar, also called Bela (Gen. 14:2; 19:19-23). Lot in his explanation of Zoar said, “And it is a little one” (Gen. 19:20). So, it is very clear from Lot's words that this town was small and probably not as favorable as the other cities in the valley.

Still, Lot didn’t let any of that stop him, because even though it was small, he saw a city that could provide refuge for him while the destruction fell upon the metro area (Gen. 19:24-29).

Many times in the region of a large city there are churches spread out with some being big, some medium size, and some very small. And many times, when choosing a church, the desire to worship with the bigger established church appears to be more of the choice. However, others look at the “little one” and see the need to be of encouragement (Acts 16:9). When people unknowingly visit a small group for the first time, they think, “and it is a little one.” Of course it is certainly is, however though small, it is still a church where Jesus is in the midst of the saints, and it is a place where one can be saved and can worship God just as one can in a bigger group (Matthew 18:20; John 10:9).

“And it is a little one” in such a church members can have a better chance of exercising skills in teaching, song leading, and helping with other aspects of the work because the workers are few and everyone has to work whenever they meet. There's no taking a number and waiting for it to be called, because in a small church, everyone works every time they meet.

“And it is a little one” will make members feel more appreciated and not just a face in the crowd, because in a small groups people tend to be closer because there isn’t a sea of faces where people get lost in the crowds. Also, the expression, “he attends where I worship”, cannot be said with simply the tone of an acquaintance because in small churches it is easier to get to know each other better.
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“And it is a little one” will bring out the need to give more, because money is needed, members are few, and one will have to give better then he would in a bigger church because the dependence upon the next person to make up the difference will not be there.

​~James Baker