Sermon Synopsis for October 26, 2008

“Jesus’ Small Group” Mark 6:6-13, 30-32

Some of you may have stayed up late on Saturday night watching a sporting event.

Maybe you heard …
A mother told her son, “We need to be quiet in church”
The boy replied, “Why? Is it because so many people are sleeping?”

The story is told …
A pastor was frustrated because a man in the congregation fell asleep every Sunday during the sermon. So he made a plan.

Near the end of his sermon the pastor said in a quiet voice, “anyone who doesn’t want to go to heaven …” And then in a loud voice, he shouted, “PLEASE STAND UP.”

The man woke suddenly and stood up.

After looking around he said, “Pastor, I’m not sure what the issue is, but it looks like the only ones in favor of it are me and you.”

Sometimes we need the rest more than we need to hear a sermon.

Jesus and disciples took time away. They went on retreats and had times of rest.

The disciples were a diverse group, an unlikely group to find together. There were liberals, conservatives, revolutionaries and establishment types. The one thing they had in common … they hoped for a savior (a messiah) and they found that in Jesus.

They spent time together, studied scripture with Jesus, learned from Him, ate together, traveled together.

They were formed into a group.

After a while, Jesus sent them out for a short mission trip.

A HEALTHY CHURCH
Today we continue our look at becoming a healthy church
Even though we’re not sick, it doesn’t mean we’re healthy.

We’re looking at the eight characteristics of a healthy church from the Natural Church Development study.

Today: continue on #6 – A healthy church has holistic small groups.

THE SOURCE OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE
We live in difficult times – for many reasons.

Where do you get your strength and encouragement to keep the Christian faith?

1. From God. The Psalmists taught us to find that in God.
The Lord is my strength and my shield” (Ps 28:7)
“The Lord is the strength of his people (Ps 28:8)
“Look to the Lord and his strength” (Ps 105:4)
“The Lord is my strength and my song” (Ps 118:14)

One Sunday after church a mother asked her young daughter what the lesson was about. Her daughter answered "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilts. " Needless to say, Mom was perplexed. Later in the day she called the Sunday School teacher and asked what the lesson was about. The teacher said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."

We need a close relationship with God – our comforter.

Jesus said “Come unto me all who are weary carry heavy burdens” (Mt 11:28)

To maintain our spiritual life – we need to go to Jesus. Jesus is the way to God.

2. With others.
Paul wrote “Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2)
“Pray for one another”
“Be devoted to one another” (Rom 12:10)
“Love one another”

To maintain our spiritual life – we need to go to each other.

JESUS’ SMALL GROUP
Jesus used a small group to form disciples … the 12 together worked out how to live the Christian life during difficult times.

They discussed scripture passages, and they went beyond just discussing scripture passages to applying the message to daily life.

This group was the natural place for Christians to learn to serve others (with their spiritual gifts).

THEY WERE A HOLISTIC SMALL GROUP
The small group went out to apply some of what they were learning together.
They could do these things because they experienced them in their small group.
According to today’s scripture, (Mark 6:12) they went out in twos.

1. They shared the gospel (repentance) (This showed they were concerned with the mind)

2. They drove out demons (things in their lives that took control of them) (This showed they were concerned with the Spirit, Psychic)

3. They healed (This showed they were concerned with the physical)

It was holistic! It had to do with all aspects of the person’s life.

The gospel is holistic – God cares about all aspects of our lives (mind, spirit, physical, material)
We should care about each other in the same way.

If someone’s suv was stuck in the mud would we say, “I’ll pray for you”?

The disciples (6 groups of 2) - served Christ with their lives.
Then (Mark 6:30) they got back together and talked about it.

A small group shares the joys and struggles of living the Christian life.

WHAT DO SMALL GROUPS DO
In Acts 2:41-47 we find what these 12 (and others) did to build the early church.

Acts 2:41 tells us there were more than 3100 believers in the church. What does that have to do with small groups?

Let’s go back to first century Jerusalem.
There were some halls to rent (Acts 2:1 tells us that 120 were together in one place)
A large wealthy home could entertain maybe 40 people.
A regular house could squeeze in maybe 20.

Where were these 3100 people?
We realize they met in small groups in homes (2:46)
- They met together at the temple
- They fellowshipped in homes (a small group ministry)

The Natural Church Development study found that small groups are more important that corporate worship for a healthy church.

We tend to think that what goes on from 10:30 to 12:00 on Sunday morning is the most important time for the church. It’s difficult (especially for a pastor) to admit that’s wrong.

Participating in a small group is more important than attending church (worship).

Sunday AM is important, but … apparently, small groups are more important.

WHAT DID THE SMALL GROUPS DO?
Acts 2:42 – four things
1. Learning about God (Scriptures)
Holistic small groups go beyond studying the scriptures, to applying them to their lives.
2. Fellowship (enjoying each other) Koinonia
3. Food (Lord’s Supper? Agape Feast? Potluck?)
4. Prayer

HOLISTIC SMALL GROUPS
(To be holistic, a group must care about all aspects of the person’s life)

We have small groups: Sunday School Classes, Worship Teams, committees, commissions, prayer groups, etc.

Issues to consider:
Clique vs. small group
Inviting vs. Exclusive
Gossip?
Is the group caring and Christ centered?

Why do they meet? Each small group can become a holistic small group if they have learning, prayer, and concern for each other’s joys and struggles.

Paul wanted the early church to continue the practice of Acts 2
1 Corinthians 11:17-18 (read 2 weeks ago for communion) “your meetings do more harm than good … I hear that when you come together … there are divisions among you.”

At the ACC Fall Assembly we talked about the difficulties in “being connected” as Christians. It has to be intentional.

What do you do during difficult times in your life?

Go to God!
Share with others.

Do you feel alone in your walk with Christ?
God wants you to connect to other Christians.

I asked the children what would happen if we took a coal out of a camp fire. Most agreed that it would go out. God wants to keep the spiritual fire alive in our lives. It’s much easier to do that when we are together.