Sermon Tone Analysis

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.

Second bank to love one another as we love ourselves.

Why are we trying small groups?

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 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.

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.

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:

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".

Biblical prescription of handling conflicts is found in

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.

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.

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:

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...

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.