Why Small Groups 1 Small groups foster close

Why Small Groups?

1. Small groups foster close relationships

1. Small groups foster close relationships 2. Small groups provide a comfortable setting

1. Small groups foster close relationships 2. Small groups provide a comfortable setting 3. They follow the early church model of meeting in homes. ( A little more on this later. )

1. Small groups foster close relationships 2. Small groups provide a comfortable setting 3. They follow the early church model of meeting in homes. ( A little more on this later. ) 4. They are a tremendous tool for discipleship.

What is discipleship?

1. Small groups foster close relationships. 2. Small groups provide a comfortable setting. 3. They follow the early church model of meeting in homes. ( A little more on this later. ) 4. They are a tremendous tool for discipleship. 5. They get more people involved using their gifts.

I Corinthians 12: 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Ephesians 4: 7 When He ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.

Ephesians 4: 12 For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.

A healthy small group is not just inward focus.

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to 1. Small groups foster close relationships. 2. Small groups provide a comfortable setting. the whole measure of 3. They follow the early church model of meeting in the fullness of Christ. homes. ( A little more on this later. ) 4. They are a tremendous tool for discipleship. 5. They get more people involved using their gifts. 6. They engage the body in pastoral care.

PREISTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS

Ex. 17: 12

When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening? Exodus 18: 14

You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Exodus 18: 19

But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Exodus 18: 21

”In laboring where there already some in the faith, the minister should at first seek not so much to convert unbelievers, as to train the church members for acceptable service. " Christian Service p. 70

”When they are prepared to sustain the minister by their prayers and labors, greater success will attend his efforts. " Christian Service p. 70

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to 7. Small groups helps to cultivate leaders. the whole measure of Small groups give opportunities for leadership the fullness of Christ. development within the church.

Pastors should be like a choir director making all the instruments come together in harmonious sound.

When its time for the cymbal, I’m going over there to do it, because that’s more fun.

The tuba player stinks and I am not taking a risk. I am going to do it right so I won’t be embarrassed.

Many pastors look like they fell off the horse, got their foot caught in the stirrup, and are being dragged all around.

HEY, PASTOR! “Hey, Pastor, have you visited my cousin Bertha and asked her about Jesus? ” “Hey, Pastor, have you finished running the bulletin? ” “Hey, Pastor, have you visited the Joneses? They haven’t been to church in three weeks. ” “Hey, Pastor, did you pick up the paint for the primary room? ” Spiritual Body Building p. 29 – Kim A. Johnson

One church surveyed its members and asked the following question: “How many hours each week do you feel the pastor ought to spend in the following areas? ” Then, they listed nine or ten specific areas of ministry. When the questionnaires were tallied and the hours for each activity averaged, the pastor would have had to work about one hundred and twenty hours each week to do everything the members expected. Spiritual Body Building p. 29 – Kim A. Johnson

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to 7. Small groups helps to cultivate leaders. 8. Done well, can be a powerful tool for evangelism. the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

If the focus of the small group is outreach the potential for winning souls is powerful!

Principle of Multiplication An effective evangelist who reaches 1, 000 people a day for Christ will win the world to Christ in 12, 515 years.

Principle of Multiplication But a disciple who teaches or trains two people a year to reach others for Christ has the potential to win the world to Christ in 33 years. Bill Donahue

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to 7. Small groups help to cultivate leaders. 8. Done well, can be a powerful tool for evangelism. the whole measure of 9. Done well, they become a tremendous tool of the fullness of Christ. retention. People want to be needed and known. Small groups make both possible.

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to 7. Small groups helps to cultivate leaders. 8. Done well, can be a powerful tool for evangelism. the whole measure of 9. Done well, they become a tremendous tool of the fullness of Christ. retention. 10. Provide a source of encouragement and accountability. (So easy to slip in and out of church unnoticed)

The early church used small groups and the church grew rapidly.

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2: 46 -47

Characteristics of the early church which helped it to develop disciples: Bible study Fellowship Worship (breaking of bread, praising God) Prayer Love (sharing needs) Unity Visiting one another Evangelism

Result? Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. Acts 6: 7

George Whitefield a John Wesley left behind a 100, 000 -member church, while George Whitefield could point to little tangible fruit toward the end of his ministry. Why?

George Whitefield a John Wesley SMALL GROUPS!

October 2008 The Adventist Church in South America has a membership of about 2. 7 million. Between 1996 and 2005, church membership in South America increased 180 percent. Though many factors are involved in this growth, we consider the use of small groups as one of the most effective.

In the Adventist Church in South America (SAD), approximately 65, 000 small groups exist, and great effort has been made so that small groups become the basis of the church’s missionary outreach. October 2008

Small groups have proven to be an effective instrument in God’s hands to bring us more growth —spiritual growth, growth in relationships, growth in preparing disciples, and growth in planting new churches. October 2008

"In our churches let companies be formed for service. Let different ones unite in labor as fishers of men. Let them seek to gather souls from the corruption of the world into the saving purity of Christ's love. " T. Vol. 7 p. 21 -22

"The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err. " T. Vol. 7 p. 21 -22

This Day with God p. 11 “Let small companies assemble together in the evening or early morning to study the Bible for themselves. Let them have a season of prayer that they may be strengthened and enlightened and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. . ”

This Day with God p. 11 “If you will do this, a great blessing will come to you from the One who gave His whole life to service, the One who redeemed you by His own life. . . ”

This Day with God p. 11 “Let little companies meet together to study the Scriptures. You will lose nothing by this, but will gain much. Angels of God will be in your gathering, and as you feed upon the Bread of Life, you will receive spiritual sinew and muscle. You will be feeding, as it were, upon the leaves of the tree of life. ”

Six Needs of People Today Gallup Poll • To believe life is meaningful and has purpose.

Six Needs of People Today Gallup Poll • To believe life is meaningful and has purpose. • To have a sense of community & deeper relationships.

Six Needs of People Today Gallup Poll • To believe life is meaningful and has purpose. • To have a sense of community & deeper relationships. • To be appreciated & respected.

Six Needs of People Today Gallup Poll • • To believe life is meaningful and has purpose. To have a sense of community & deeper relationships. To be appreciated & respected. To be listened to and heard.

Six Needs of People Today Gallup Poll • • • To believe life is meaningful and has purpose. To have a sense of community & deeper relationships. To be appreciated & respected. To be listened to and heard. To feel I am growing in my faith.

Six Needs of People Today Gallup Poll • • • To believe life is meaningful and has purpose. To have a sense of community & deeper relationships. To be appreciated & respected. To be listened to and heard. To feel I am growing in my faith. To have practical help in developing mature faith.

All these needs can be met in a Small Group!

Request a meeting with your Pastor.

1. Share purpose for small group 1. Discuss how to recruit people 1. How to promote it

Seek Church Board approval

Pick small group leaders that are respected and trusted by the church.

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be WHAT THEY WILL NEED TO KNOW: built up…attaining to 1. the whole measure of Why this Program? 2. the fullness of Christ. When will it start? 3. Where will it be held? 4. Who are the leaders? 5. What is expected to happen?

Invite in person, bulletin, announcement, letter

Send a letter of invitation to small group ministry (Place in bulletin)

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to Need a team of three to start small group the whole measure of 1. Facilitator the fullness of Christ. 2. Assistant Facilitator 3. Hostess

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to Have an informal meeting the whole measure of 1. Discuss place, day, time, topic the fullness of Christ. 2. Babysitting 3. Start off with meal or light snacks 4. Get input from everyone

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to Prospect list • the whole measure of Have everyone start a prospect list • the fullness of Christ. Send out invitation cards

Your invited! To an open Home Bible Study A small group will be meeting in a home for fellowship and sharing God’s word We hope you will join us. We ill be studying ________ Address: 100 Dawn Court, White House, TN Time: Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 7: 00 p. m. Phone: 253 -226 -8667

Follow up invitation with phone call.

Elements of small group ministry 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Location Size Frequency of Meetings Facilitators Host/Hostess Duties Empty Chair

Small Group Covenant 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Discuss purpose of group Goals Values Where to meet What you will study Maximum number How often to have outreach How often to have socials

Small Group Covenant 9. Agree to the following disciplines a. Acceptance b. Confidentiality c. Graciousness d. Courtesy e. Listening

Leader’s preparation 1. Study the passage 2. Write down general thoughts 3. Write down questions 4. Points to bring out 5. Ask God to give you wisdom 6. Have group read beforehand

Leader’s preparation 7. Ask open questions lead to discussion 8. Let members talk & discuss 9. Direct conversation back if it veers too far off course

Study Tools 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Study Bible Dictionary & thesaurus Bible commentary Conflict of the Ages Strong’s Concordance

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to Tips: • the whole measure of Make sure everyone gets a chance to the fullness of Christ. talk • Keep group on track but don’t dictate • Intercede if disagreement arises

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to Time format for effective groups: the whole measure of 7: 00 Start time 7: 00 – 7: 15 Visit and connect the fullness of Christ. 7: 15 – 8: 00 – 8: 15 – 8: 30 Prayer, study and discussion Prayer Closure

TYPES OF SMALL GROUPS • Bible study groups • Outreach groups • Support groups • Nurture groups

Ephesians 4: 12, 13 To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up…attaining to What will small groups do? the whole measure of • the fullness of Christ. Great way to connect with God & others • Grow spiritually and relationally • Serve group, church & community • Great way to integrate new members