Sunday morning, we step into the Sanctuary to drink coffee and chat with friends. Friends may ask how we are doing, how our children are doing, how things are going at work, and so on. We raise our hands in unity, clap to the worship music, scribble furiously in our notebooks, take notes, and remember the pastor’s Bible teachings. Put aside the corporate worship experience and go out into the world. And then we meet again the following Sunday, never intertwining Sunday experiences with everyday life.
Small groups are the most effective way to create community and allow people to learn more about our lives. The current Sunday morning model is not set up for intimate culture. If you are looking for an intimate connection within the community of the Body of Christ that will champion your victories and encourage discouragement, the small group model is for you.
Here are five ways small groups can be influential.
1. Helps you enjoy your community
Throughout the Bible, no one goes through life alone. Disciples were sent out in pairs to meet the needs of the community. Jesus often took two or three with him during his ministry. This is evident in both the Old and New Testaments. We weren’t meant to live our lives alone. We need each other to get through the hard times and to rejoice together in the good times. Communities are created when people meet regularly within a small group model. If a small group member needs prayer, it is usually the small group member who goes first. The congregation as a whole is not meant to know every detail about everyone in the church. It is impossible to maintain that standard. But by making small groups, people in groups of 10 to 12 people can get to know each other in an intimate way, and those people can become prophets and priests for each other.
2. We study the word of God
Most small groups use a specific book of the Bible or a pastor’s sermon as the focus of the group. Groups often begin with a prayer and then study a specific Bible verse. Here, those who have the spiritual gift of teaching teach others more about God’s Word. Moreover, it is here that each person can share what God has placed in his heart. 1 Corinthians 14:26 “So what shall I say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. The small group model is a place and time for people to share hymns and verses that God has spoken to them to encourage other members of the group.
3. Seek spiritual gifts
1 Corinthians 12:8-11 emphasizes the spiritual gifts given to each person in the body of Christ. To one is given the message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another the Spirit Other miraculous powers include another prophecy, another distinction of spirits, another kind of speaking in tongues, another prophecy, and yet another interpretation of tongues. These are all works of the same Spirit, who distributes them to each as he decides. ”
However, the current church model is not set up for everyone to have access to spiritual gifts. However, spiritual gifts can be used within a small group model. Each person with a gift for teaching can in turn facilitate the discussion. If you have encouragement, you can add words of encouragement to each person. Those with prophetic talents can try out the prophetic words they’ve been chewing on for a week in front of this community. If you don’t know what your spiritual gifts are, as a group she can spend a week making a list of your spiritual gifts. Together they can score the inventory and discover their spiritual gifts. can. Other members who are familiar with them can affirm or question the gift.If a spiritual gift is found, the small group his leader will allow each person to have a spiritual gift in this small group environment. You can brainstorm how to take advantage of it. This is a great way to involve each person so that they can make a difference within the kingdom and have a direct impact on the local church and community.
4. Build trust and intimacy
When the small group first gathers, the organizer must initiate a pledge to be signed by each person. In your pledge, we will outline the expectations and requirements for participating in this small group. For small groups to succeed, expectations must be set high. People cannot come in and out at their convenience. They are required to be in small groups to participate in most sessions. This helps foster trust and intimacy within the group. Those who then leave the group disrupt the dynamics and flow of the group setup. If attendance is not regular, people cannot trust each other. They cannot be intimate with someone unless they meet regularly. Therefore, group attendance is very important. Each person should put their phones away and commit to fully participating in the discussion. Proverbs 27:17 “One sharpens another just like iron sharpens iron.” Regardless of the topic of conversation, in small groups, each other sharpens each other. One can challenge the other with Christlike behavior.
5. Share an intimate prayer request
Most churches can send group texts or emails when members need a specific prayer. Prayer can begin with a neighbor of a small group member with cancer or a friend in need. These things are important to God, but the most intimate requests come up in small group settings. This is the place to share personal details about a struggling marriage, recurring sins, or other emotional issues that keep you from having an intimate relationship with Christ. These are not intended for the congregation as a whole, but are shared only within a smaller environment. Small groups allow intimate and private prayer requests to be shared among members who have taken the time to get to know each other.
Small groups within different churches may look different, but when successful, they all foster community, build trust and intimacy, and enable people to explore their spiritual gifts. , and ultimately able to replicate leaders. Create a group model.
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