Pastor Jonathan Smith
August 13, 2006 - W0633

It seems that we continually make wrong assumptions, misunderstand, and draw conclusions about people whether it’s someone we know or total strangers. However, as poor as we may be at relating with one another or as often as we completely mess up at things, we are still designed by God to be in relationship with others. Why? It’s because God knows what it will take for us to become all He created us to be. In fact, the Bible says: “And the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’” (Gen. 2:18 NKJV)

Now when God says that it is not good for man to be alone, He’s also talking about mankind’s need to be in relationship with others. So there’s an aspect in this verse that refers to all of us. Webster’s dictionary defines “alone” as meaning separated or isolated from others. The second definition means without aid or support. And because God doesn’t want us to be lonely or without the support we need He designed His church as a place where people could enjoy all the benefits of God-blessed relationships.

“And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” (Acts 5:42 NAS) In other words, the people met in a big church service setting like how we gather on Sundays, but they also met in small groups house to house. So that means:

Small Groups have been God’s plan for His Church from the very beginning!

It is His plan for us to have intimate relationships with others for a number of reasons. And the first reason is because…

1.     IT’S ABOUT FELLOWSHIP = HEART CONNECTION!

A small group is a place where we can grow deeper in relationship with people, make true friends, and find a personal spiritual family – brothers and sisters who will love us and who we can love in return. In observing Christians, a first century historian wrote: “O how they love one another”. He probably observed them in public or in the temple and how they genuinely cared for one another. But that kind of love is born and raised in small groups. And we too can experience that love as we meet and grow in small intimate gatherings.

“A new commandment I give you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:34-35)

Did you know that your unconditional love for one another is one of the most powerful evangelistic tools there is? When people see that, they want it too. It is in small groups that we can begin to give, receive, and practice that kind of love. So the first reason why small groups are so important is fellowship. The second is…

2.     IT’S ABOUT GROWTH!

“…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ…” (Eph. 4:15)

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you…” (Col. 3:16)

The first area we must grow in is:

·        In the knowledge of God.

How can we do that? We can grow by doing daily devotions, listening to weekend and midweek messages, and applying what we learn to our lives. But the place that we really accelerate that growth is within a small group. We can read, discuss, and even ask questions about what we are learning. We can work through the scriptures together to a place of understanding and live it out everyday. How does that happen? It is by the power of the Holy Spirit within us that God teaches us through each other.

So we are to grow individually and help others grow as well. Another area God wants is to develop is…

·        In leadership skills.

Many of us are hesitant to get involved with a small group at first, but try it. It’s a place where we can stretch ourselves little by little. It’s a huge step of growth, but we get better and better as we go along. Eventually we share what God is teaching us through devotions. Then before we know it we are growing in leadership skills. Soon we are organizing a meeting, facilitating a discussion, praying over others, or giving godly counsel. And this all develops because we are being faithful. A small group is a place where ordinary people are turned into leaders. And aside from growing in the knowledge of God and in leadership skills, small groups are a safe place for us…

·        To develop and practice spiritual gifts.

“A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.”

 (1 Cor. 12:7 NLT)  That’s right! He’s given each of us one or more spiritual gifts to be used for helping others. In other words, everyone in this church needs our gift. So how do we find out what our gifts are or learn how to use them even if we make a mistake? Well small groups are a safe place designed by God where we can grow, develop, and practice everything God has given us. And even if fellowship and growth were the only benefits of small groups, we should run out of here right now and sign up for them. But there is still more to being a part of a small group family. The next reason is…

3.     IT’S ABOUT ENCOURAGEMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND  PROTECTION.

We can all get a little off centered sometimes during the week with work, family, and life. So being a part of a small group offers us the encouragement we need – a place where our emotions get fixed, where we get redirected on the right path, and where God’s truth fills us up again. We begin to understand how God rebuilds and renews us and how valuable it is to be in a small group. 

“Think of ways to encourage one another to outburst of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near.”

 (Heb. 10-24 NAS) Life isn’t always easy and some of us go through really tough things on a regular basis. Yet there are times we may face even more intense struggles. That’s when small groups become our life line. Our mini groups rally together, pray with us, and cry out to God for our whatever situation we are facing. And everyone needs that kind of support and encouragement.

Another thing we all need is accountability. It’s like being a part of a team where team members push and encourage us to go beyond what we could normally do by ourselves.

I remember a family inviting me to their home to learn weightlifting with their little group. I faithfully trained as they encouraged and pushed me to beyond where I would have otherwise given up. My strength grew during that time. Soon though, as I became busy and stopped training altogether, the strength that I had when being a part of that small group of weight lifters was gone in no time.

And it’s no different with our spiritual growth and strength. God designed us to be in small groups so that we can grow to our potential and live the Christian life with power as we walk in victory through all the trials and temptations of life. And being a part of a group of growing Christian brothers and sisters will help us to do that.

“...and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds… (Heb. 10:24) We learn to stimulate and encourage others to grow and do more than we ever could on our own. That’s what true accountability is. We help each other in areas of struggle and that kind of accountability will bear real fruit in our lives.

Another aspect I need to talk about is protection. Sometimes we are prone to some goofy thoughts or ideas especially when we’re alone. People get deceived by the lies of the enemy as the devil tries to make us believe things that are totally off course from God’s word. “The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jer. 17:9)  That’s why we need the people in our lives who love us enough to and who knows God’s word to question our goofy ideas and thoughts by showing us where our thinking is not consistent with His word and then pointing us back to God.

The benefit of being a part of a small group is fellowship, growth, encouragement, accountability, and protection. But also…

4.     IT’S ABOUT PRACTICAL PROVISION!

What does that mean? Meeting life needs in practical ways.

A small group is where people take care of each other in everyday life situations. For example: watching each others children so the parents can have a date night out, or cooking for a family when someone is sick or in the hospital, or picking someone up when their car breaks down at 2 a.m.

I heard a situation where a woman who filed for divorce had to go back to the house for her personal things, but was afraid to because it was a violent situation. She was alone except for the fact she belonged to a small group. So they just went with her. The sisters helped her pack while the brothers calmed down the angry husband. That’s practical provision – loving one another in action. “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” ( 1 Jn 13:16-18) And God has designed a place for us to learn to do that in relationship with others – in small groups.

My wife and I had an opportunity to visit a small group and the first thing I noticed was how everyone was warmly and genuinely welcomed. Real friendship was happening there. I thought why wouldn’t everyone want this? Then we had dinner and they celebrated birthdays. It was like a party. Then we worshiped. It was obvious these people learned the preciousness of entering the presence of the Lord together in worship. I thought why wouldn’t everyone want this? Then there was a time of teaching and sharing in God’s word and God really spoke through them. It was powerful. Why wouldn’t everyone want this? Next there was time for specific prayer for people who were going through serious stuff. The brothers and sisters cried out to God for people they knew and loved and it was so clear that the power of God was released into those people because their hearts were pure and their faith was there. Why wouldn’t everybody want this?

Small groups have been God’s plan from the very beginning. Are you ready to take the first step? If you are already in a small group, are receiving a renewed vision for what you are doing? God wants us to be in relation with others to fellowship, grow, and encourage. Small groups help us to do that by being accountable with others and looking out for one another. It’s where we learn to live God’s word in practical ways that meet life’s needs.

Discussion:

1. Do you belong to a small group? Would you like to be? Check out information at the concierge desk right after service.
2. Already on the first step? How has belonging to a small group family changed your life?
3. Being faithful and consistent strengthens and grows us in ways we could never grow on our own. In what area have you grown the most since being a part of your small group?
4. How do you live God’s word in practical ways?
5. What lesson have you learned today most impacted you and how will you apply that to your life this week?

“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong with our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17 NLT)

Sermon Notes Ministry: Debbie Chang, Robin Hart, Leighton Loo, Doreen Rabaino,

Jay Tsukayama, Rhonda Pang