John 13:34-35

  34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Our Need for Small Groups

America the Lonely

America the Lonely

24.6% have 0 confidants (family or non-family)

19.6% have just one confidant 44% have either no confidants or just

one confidant Number that has doubled since 1985

America the Lonely

53.4% do not have confidants that are not family—majority rely upon family1985—80% had at least one confidant that

was not familyNow 47% have at least one confidant that is

not family1985 Americans averaged 3 close friends2006 Americans averaged 2 close friends

America the Lonely

7/10 do not know their neighbors1985 19% had a neighbor they considered a

confidant2006 8% had a neighbor they considered a

confidant

33% have never spent an evening with a neighbor

1/3 experience frequent bouts of loneliness

America the Lonely

America the Lonely

Survey asked which would give them more withdrawal:

Being away from family for a week

Being without their phone for a day

63%

37%

1st Century Small Groups Acts 2:42-4742 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching

and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Small Group Format Groups will gather to discuss the

Sunday sermonWhat difference will this sermon make in my

life?How will I change?

Fellowship Prayer Food Group Limit

Strengths of Small Group Allows the message to come alive

No longer just a lectureWhat difference will this make in my life?

Group leaders do not have the pressure of generating their own discussion guide or study

All the groups have a similar study—helps bring unity to the church body

Don’t have information overload Allows others to join the group easily Invite our friends

Small Group Dynamics

John 13:34-35

 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Our Spiritual Growth

There is more to our Christian development than what can happen on Sunday morning and Wednesday midweek gatherings

Small groups allow us to expand out of our comfort zone

How can we grow in small groups? John 13:34 (love one another) James 5:16 (confess to one another and

pray for one another) Galatians 6:2 (Carry one another’s

burdens)

How can we grow in small groups? 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (Encourage one

another) Ephesians 5:21 (Submit to one another) Colossians 3:16 (Admonish one

another) Hebrews 10:24 (Spur one another)