Authentic Relationships

The Dunbar Number talks about 4 layers of community needed for someone to thrive in their life and in discipleship.

1. The Inner Circle - This is 1-5 people who know you deeply. They know the ‘real’ you, and are your closest people, maybe a life-long friend, a spouse, a new deep connection (sociologist say it takes almost 200 hours to turn an acquaintance into a close friend).

2. The Kin - This group is around 15 people and are the people you do life with. The birthday parties, the trips to the pumpkin patch, the small group, the ‘do life together’ group.

3. The Village - this is a much larger number of around 150 people. A resource village in some ways, people who can point you in the right direction for a new doctor, people who may show up to bring a meal in a crisis, someone who helps clean up after a flood, etc. These are not necessarily people you know well, but you likely know their name and about them, and vice versa.

4. The Tribe - this is the group of people well over 150 that you’re connected to as a follower of Jesus through the Church, people you share a common value with, but don’t necessarily know them.