Are we a river or a swamp?
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We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
The foundations of small groups.
The foundations of small groups.
Small Groups are like the churches, they’re only as good as the people which make them up.
A river without banks is a swamp.
Two banks:
One bank of small group is our personal walk with Jesus.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Second bank to love one another as we love ourselves.
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Why are we trying small groups?
Why are we trying small groups?
We need balance
We need balance
A healthy church keeps 3 items in tension:
A healthy church keeps 3 items in tension:
A healthy church keeps 3 items in tension:
1. Personal relationships with Christ
2.Community with one another
3. Outreach to the unchurched.
Must do all 3
Too much in one of theses three is unhealthy
if #1 isolated people
if #2 ingrown and incestuous
if #3 terrible superficial
must live with three in tension
Today focuses on #2
We need each other.
We need each other.
We cannot be healthy Christians unless we live in community with one another.
Not a strategy or a good idea, it is a mandate from Scripture is what church is.
"I can go to church at home" No you can't.
You can't go to church by listen to a message.
You can't go to church by watching a TV or DVD sermon.
You can get information, you can learn some biblical truth.
But you cannot experience church/community in that manner
OK in some isolated instances-illness/travel etc.
But not church as the Bible teaches.
Do not forsake the assembling together-not as a law or rule but because church is designed to have physical contact-see, hear, touch experience closeness-cannot be done by ourselves-must be in proximity physically to have church. Smile, greeting, touch the love of the Lord Jesus given and received by one another.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
So many one another(s) in Scripture.
So many one another(s) in Scripture.
How many one another(s) is Annual Report can you actually accomplish without being in proximity to one another.
Plainly taught is Scripture.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;
if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Cannot do these things unless we are with one another.
Cannot do these things unless we are with one another.
"Cant keep a fire burning with one log, we need each other to stay bright and keep burning." Crawford Loritts
Strength and encouragement is found in relationships.
Weep together, mourn together, rejoice together.
From one to my heart.
You may not do well in groups- we must step out of our comfort zones and do what we need to do in order to grow. Health takes work.
Cannot grow if we do only the things that feel good-but that are necessary.
Run towards people who love me.
We need everyone to be cared for and related to.
Very good Small Group Leaders Meeting last week, I'm very excited about the potential of these small groups because of the leadership that is forming.
4 Warning signs of small groups:
4 Warning signs of small groups:
1. Be careful to maintain a balanced approach to the Bible.
1. Be careful to maintain a balanced approach to the Bible.
1. Be careful to maintain a balanced approach to the Bible.
Must have input from Bible at meetings.
Must have a balance of what is studied-OK to do a series on a subject, but then move on to other areas of Scripture.
"All we do is talk about prophecy." True but cannot be out of balance-can become error because not balance with other areas of Scripture
2. Be careful of those who would demean others and air gossip in the name of "sharing" or "prayer requests".
2. Be careful of those who would demean others and air gossip in the name of "sharing" or "prayer requests".
Biblical prescription of handling conflicts is found in
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.
People need to share their hurts or struggles.
But some have been so wounded that they seek out places to rehearse their wounds-and draw other into their pain-this does nothing to heal the wound.
As growing Christians we seek to move towards wholeness-healing, health, overcoming, forgiving, and victory.
Be careful of dominant personalities who interpret sharing wounds as a healthy activity.
We should encourage one another to take personal wounds to Jesus and to the persons that caused them.
Tend to take laps around the same issue
Attention vs. Community.
3. Be careful not to become exclusive or unwelcoming to others.
3. Be careful not to become exclusive or unwelcoming to others.
Closeness, tight-knit is good as long as we remain open to new people.
Not a club, but a visible representation of the heart of God- cannot become closed off, from those who are new or different.
4. Be careful of groups who are not accountable to the leadership of the Church.
4. Be careful of groups who are not accountable to the leadership of the Church.
The leader is a servant, not the center of attention.
4. Be careful of groups who are not transparent and accountable to the leadership of the Church.
Agendas that are hidden, or do not want the leadership to know about.
God does not bless indirect routes.
God does not bless hidden agendas.
Let's talk about the issues and put them on the table.
Patience with your leaders as they have patience with you.
Characteristics of healthy groups:
Characteristics of healthy groups:
Love, truth, transparency, honesty, sincerity and voluntary accountability.
Be careful of groups that put pressure on you to share deep struggles.
All biblical accountability is voluntary.
Take this with you...
Take this with you...
All of us need to be connected.
Community means sharing what we have in common.
Fellowship means sharing with each other in a manner that makes us more like Jesus.
It's not just liking one another, talking/discussing issues together, or enjoying being together or "doing life together."
We want each other to be more like Jesus.
The focus of every small group is the same focus Jesus had with His small group, making disciples.
Patience with your leaders as they have patience with you.
The focus of every small group is the same focus Jesus had with His small group, making disciples.
The focus of every small group is the same focus Jesus had with His small group, making disciples.
We want each other to be more like Jesus.