Noticesheet
26 January 2020
Small Groups
The New Testament gives us examples of small home-sized groups meeting in houses but still part of the local church. Acts 2:46 states that the Jerusalem church met “in the temple” and “from house to house”. Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that he had exhorted them both “publicly and from house to house.” Acts 20:20. So what was the purpose of these small groups? The same as the church, to make and develop Disciples of Christ, we look to the two greatest commandments Luke 10:27 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbour as yourself’”. These two commandments give focus in which to build spiritual growth, learning and serving. We meet to worship as a church each Sunday and that is important, we continue fellowship after the service to briefly chat over a cuppa, but real community is based on close relationships. Regularly meeting with a committed small group can foster close relationships enabling us to strengthen our belief so we can live it out, learn more about God and maintain the strength to serve others. Small groups, life groups, cell groups, Bible studies, whatever you wish to call them are an important part of our church. It can be hard keeping our passion for God and for him to be our first priority, especially when faced with the pressures of our everyday lives and the world around us. Within a small group, people can question and even express doubts knowing that they are being listened to. Small groups give encouragement, support and a place to find rest giving strength to face the week ahead. Learning to know Gods love for us and taking that love outside of the group into the world. If you are interested in joining a small group, want to know more or just want to try it out please speak to either Lisa, Iain, Colin or Lynne.
Lynne Percival
