A presentation published by the Ministerial Department of the Middle East Union of Seventh-day Adventists.

1. Middle East Union Pastors Council Arua, South Sudan Field March 4-8 Small Group Ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church

2. 1. Jesus’ model for ministry

3. Why small groups?

4. Andressa

9. Why small groups?

10. In the beginning… “ God said, ‘Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves.” Genesis 1:26

11. Good! “ God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

12. Not good ‘ ezer’ = rescuer (Exodus 18:4; Ps 33:20) “ And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion (‘ezer’) who will help him.” Genesis 2:18

13. Glory of creation God’s supreme achievement was not the creation of mankind, but the creation of human community

14. The sin problem God

16. Heart of the matter God The devil Oneness Diaballo = throw apart

18. Inspired leadership Moses GOD Leaders of 1000 Leaders of 100 Leaders of 50 Leaders of 10 The Multitude: groups of 10

19. What Jesus wants for His church in Sudan “ My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave Me, that they may be one as we are one… May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23

20. What Jesus wants for His church in Sudan “ My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one , Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave Me, that they may be one as we are one… May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23

22. And He saith unto them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 The model

23. Jesus called out to them, “Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people.” The model

25. The model “ He climbed a mountain and invited those He wanted with Him…He settled on twelve, and designated them apostles. The plan was that they would be with Him, and He would send them out to proclaim the Word…” Mark 3:12,13

26. Empowering leadership Leaders of growing churches concentrate on empowering other Christians for ministry. They do not use lay workers as helpers in attaining their own goals and fulfilling their own visions. Rather…the leader assists Christians to attain the spiritual potential God has for them. These ministers equip, support, motivate and mentor individuals, enabling them to become all that God wants them to be. (Ephesians 4:12)

28. Our prophetic mandate “ The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort is a plan that has been presented to me by One who cannot err.” White, Evangelism 115

29. No other way “ For contemporary Christians, to meet regularly in small groups is not an option or a luxury. It is a Biblical mandate that they must obey if…their churches are to become Biblically functioning communities.” Gilbert Bilezikian

31. Adventist Model “ Let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbelievers…As they work and pray in Christ’s name, their numbers will increase.” Evangelism 115

32. Adventist Model “ We meet together to edify one another by an interchange of thoughts and feelings, and to gather strength, and light, and courage by becoming acquainted with one another’s hopes and aspirations…” 2 Testimonies 578

33. Small Group Ministry is not simply one of many church programs

34. Small Group Ministry affects and defines the life of the whole church

35. … the small group is to the church What the Cell is to the Body...