Untitled Sermon (15)

We want to take some time this evening to welcome you to our 2025 Leaders Meeting. You are here tonight because you are either currently leading and teaching a life group or bible study or you have been asked to lead a study. Some of you are here because you have been helping lead our children or our students. So, thank you for taking time too be here with us.

Let me begin our time with Prayer, and asking the Lord to bless our time together tonight, and to thank Him for this meal.

British Missionary, C.T. Studd once said, “Only one life twill soon past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

I want to take a moment tonight to thank you for serving here at Antioch as a leader. What you are doing is such an important matter. You are making an eternal difference in the lives of men, women, students, and children. Every week we have the wonderful opportunity to meet with others, and to not only share Christ with them, but also to help them grow in their relationship with Christ.

-I want you all to know that myself and our staff are praying for you as you lead your groups.

-I also want you to know that I am so thankful and our church is thankful as you take time to prepare a lesson each week. Keep up the good work.

-Last of all I want to encourage you to make sure as leaders you are taking the necessary time to grow through personal study of God’s Word and daily prayer.

John Wesley once said, “Wether you like it or not, read and pray daily. It is your life; there is no other way, else you will be a trifler all your days of and a petty, superficial teacher. Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow; do not starve yourself any longer.”

1. What are the Goals or Purpose of our Life Group and Bible Studies?

The Bible encourages Christians to actively participate in a close-knit family of believers, with the goal of stirring one another up to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24–25). God designed the local church to be the venue in which believers engage in fellowship, equipping, and accountability to that end. Our firm commitment to this idea of community within the family of God is what drives our Life Groups and Bible Studies here at Antioch Church.

Each Life Group and Bible Study has its own leaders and should be committed to teaching and investing in the lives of their groups. Every Wednesday night, each group meets for a time of teaching, worship, and fellowship. Our Life Groups are open to adults and families in every season of life. The relationships that form at this level grow from close, consistent communion with other believers, and come with opportunities to show the kind of self-denying love and service the church was designed to display.

We’re blessed to be part of a church that is committed to striving toward God’s standard for Christian community, and we’re encouraged that God continues to bless our ministry as we seek to glorify Him before a watching world. The overall goal is to help people know Jesus if they don’t already and then to encourage them weekly to grow in their relationship with Christ in order that they might love Christ more and more and love others by serving the bride of Christ. Are there any questions that you have?

2. What Curriculum, Study, or Bible book are you teaching? Every year are groups end and begin new studies. If you would like to continue the study you are in that is wonderful and if you would like help looking for a new study please let me know. Any time a group begins a new study we ask that they let us know in order to make sure that the study or curriculum is sound and correct. What questions do you have?

3. Important Dates.

Over the past year I have come to realize just how important it is to let our folks know what is happening with our groups plenty of time in advance. So, tonight we want to communicate to you our leaders what we will be doing for January thru August. Our desire is to better communicate the path ahead for 2025 as well as to be unified as the body of Christ. Let us take a look at the calendar and then if you have questions we will do our best to answer anything you may want to know.

“Whether it is children’s or student ministries, men’s or women’s ministries, small groups or outreach, whether it is leadership training or short-term missions, public worship or preaching, I will want each ministry of the church to be done in excellence so that they will faithfully display the excellence of the One who calls out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

-Paul Tripp

Close in Prayer.