Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Faith Groups
There is something powerful about a few people getting together and having a good time around spiritual topics such as the bible or Jesus or christianty. There are things that can easily be discussed in a small group that wouldn't normally happen in a much larger setting. A small group offers a safe and accepting environment for open and honest discussion. It also offers more accountability. We are more willing to be vulnerable and transparent with each other. Sunday School functions in this fashion but many non-believers are not exactly excited about getting up early on Sundays and making their way to church (for that matter many Christians also have this aversion to getting up early!). Small home groups have the advantage that they can meet at more convenient times and places and offer way more flexibility. Don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer in attending Sunday School. I am not advocating getting rid of Sunday School but rather supplementing it with small home groups. Sunday School is more for believers. Small home groups are focused more on reaching the lost and retrieving those who have lost thier way from the faith. The point is we need both! How about getting involved with one or the other or both!
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4 comments:
Faith Groups and Sunday School go hand in hand. Faith Groups bring in the lost and Sunday School disciples them once they are saved! We have an amazing place for Christians of all maturity levels to ask questions about the why's and how's of their faith, to learn more about the Word and to walk with Christians who are doing the same. We should take full advantage of the ministry of Sunday School. If you aren't going to Sunday School you are seriously missing out!
I just started back in a sunday school class this past sunday. I enjoyed myself immensely. I kept thinking to myself...why did you stay away so long?
I have a question regarding the small groups. Are these cell groups? Do they function in the same way cell groups do?
These new Faith Groups will function in a very similar manner to cell groups. The difference is in the administration and make-up of the groups. While previously we followed the pattern and vision of another ministry, these new Faith Groups will be totally unique to our particular church. In other words we are blazing our own trail. The focus, however, is not on the way they are set up but our focus must remain on reaching the least, the last and the lost of our community. By getting in on the ground floor of these new Faith Groups you have the opportunity to help shape and mold them to better meet the specific needs of our area.
As I was reading Pastor Dan's response about the focus of the groups for reaching the least, the last, and the lost...it struck a chord inside me. There was a guy that said one time, you never stood in that man's shoes or saw things through his eyes or stood and watched with helpless hands while the heart inside you dies. So help your brother along the way, no matter where he starts for the same God that made you made him too...these men with broken hearts.
A song along the same line says...Walk A Mile In My Shoes
If I could be you, if you could be me for just one hour, if we could find a way to get inside each other's mind. If you could see you through my eyes instead of your ego I believe you'd be surprised to see that you've been blind.
Walk a mile in my shoes,just walk a mile in my shoes before you abuse, criticize and accuse then walk a mile in my shoes.
Now there are people on reservations and out in the ghetto and brother there, but, for the grace of God go you and I,
If I only had wings of a little angel don't you know, I'd fly to the top of a mountain and then I'd cry, cry, cry
Walk a mile in my shoes...
It speaks of the importance of listening to, focusing on and empathizing with other people ... "seeking to understand rather than be understood." My heart feels for the hurting, the lonely, the least, the last and the lost. I know God is going to really minister and do a mighty work through these small groups.
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