Role + Relationship = a member that will stay.
Every church must grow larger and smaller at the same time.
Two types of gatherings are necessary for spiritual growth:
“(They met) day after day, in the Temple courts and from house to house . . .” Acts 5:42
“Greet the church that meets in their home.” Rom. 16:5
Also Acts 2:46, 8:3, 16:40, 20:20; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15
THE PERSONAL BENEFITS OF BEING IN A SMALL GROUP
THE ADVANTAGES OF HOME GROUPS OVER SUNDAY SCHOOL
NOTE: Not every kind of small group produces spiritual growth!
It’s takes healthy groups--balanced around all five purposes!
MAKE SURE YOUR SMALL GROUPS ARE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIKE THE FIRST CHURCH: ACTS 2:42-47
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching . . .”
“. . .they joined in the fellowship. . .and ate together with glad and sincere hearts. . .”
“. . . they devoted themselves to the breaking of bread and prayer . . .”
“. . . they were praising God . . .”
“. . . they gave to anyone as he had a need . . .”
“And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
PUT THE DIAMOND IN THE CENTER OF EVERY GROUP. EVERY GROUP DOES ALL 5 PURPOSES!
Helping your people develop spiritually is one of the best things you can do for them.
The term “spiritual habits” is less threatening to new believers than “spiritual disciplines.”
Dostoyevsky: “The second half of a man’s life is determined by the habits he acquired during the first half.”
In each Class (101 to 501) we teach the habits that correspond to that particular purpose.
Putting Christ first in My Time, My Money, and My Relationships