Why do we need small groups.

1. Why Are Small
Groups
Needed?

2. A Short List of Biblical Support

3.  Small group begins with the very nature of God
(Genesis 1:1). Unity of the three persons in the
one God.
 Jesus began His earthly ministry by
establishing His “small group,” the disciples.
(Matthew 4:18-22, Luke 6:13-16)
 It has been estimated that Jesus spent 90% of
his three and a half years of ministry with his
disciples.

4.  There’s over 50 New Testament one
another’s that we’re suppose to live out.
 Who am I confessing my sins to? (James
5: 16)
 Whose burdens am I bearing? (Gal. 6:2)
 Who am I showing hospitality to (1 Peter
4:9)?

5.  love one another (John 13:35)
 bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)
 forgive one another (Ephesians 4:2, 32; Colossians 3:13)
 be patient with one another (Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13)
 comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
 encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13)
 admonish one another (Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16)
 honour one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10)
 build up one another (Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)
 accept one another (Romans 15:7)
 serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
 All these requests are very familial kind of language. Where did
these disciples learn how to do this?

6.  Day after day, in the temple courts and from
house to house, they never stopped
teaching and proclaiming the good news that
Jesus is the Messiah. (Acts 5:42)
 One of Paul’s major metaphors for
describing the church was a family
household. (Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 2:19;
1 Timothy 3:15). Peter also used the term. (1
Peter 2:5; 4:17)

7.  11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets,
the evangelists, the shepherds and
teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work
of ministry, for building up the body of
Christ,
- Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)

8. Ephesians 4:11-12 Model
Equip Staff -> Equip You ->
Equip Others

10. The Benefits of Small Groups (40,000 Feet)
1. Small Groups can mobilize the church in one simple
direction.
2. Small Groups can be the assimilation on-ramp for
new people.
3. Small Groups can be the platform to the vision and
direction of the church.
4. Small Groups can be the platform for making
disciples.
5. Small Groups can be the platform for leadership
development.
6. Small Groups can be the platform for local and
global outreach.

11. The Benefits of Small Groups (Ground Level)
1. Small group ministry is the most effective way to
ensure that members, old and new, are cared for.
2. Small group ministry is cost-effective, because it is
designed to give away ministry to the lay people, and
obviates the need for additional paid staff.
3. Small group ministry helps to prevent staff burnout.
4. The Jethro principle involves spreading the
workload among group members, while ensuring
quality control through senior coaches, coaches, and
the small group leader.
5. Small group ministry stabilizes church attendance
during periods of conflict.
6. Small group ministry stabilizes tithing during periods
of conflict.

12. The Primary Purpose For Building
Small Groups
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the
age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)

13. mathétés: a disciple
Definition: a learner, disciple, pupil.
téreó: To observe
Definition: I keep, guard, observe, watch
over.