We
exist to ignite passion for God, inspire life, and invest life because Jesus
said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through Me. (John 14:6)
What
does this look like?
Inspire Life Transformation
· Bible study through small groups
o
Small Group Bible study is the means through
which our lives our transformed by Jesus
o
Followers of Jesus are grown in groups not in
isolation
§
We need encouragement
§
We need accountability
§
We need challenge
§
We need care and compassion
o
SG can be accomplished through the use of two
strategies traditional Sunday school and Home Groups
§
Traditional Sunday School is an effective tool
to connect, care, and cover biblical material – the drawback is that time is
limited and real life issues are limited in discussion
§
Traditional Sunday School is effective because
we have become comfortable with how to use this ministry in an age graded
approach to Bible study
§
Home Groups is an effective tool toward real
long lasting spiritual transformation for connecting with relaxed environment
(living rooms), digging into real life issues for a biblical perspective, and
the freedom of time and availability of days of the week
§
Home Groups is effective as a bridge to the
un-churched who may more readily attend a Bible study in the home of a friend
or neighbor before they will come to church – it also offers the opportunity
for a serious in depth questioning and examination of Christianity by the
un-churched
§
Both strategies need to have qualified
teachers/facilitators, leadership/support, and communication with the
Leadership of the church concerning all aspects of the Class/HG
· Mentoring Relationships
o
MR are valuable in encouraging followers of
Jesus in a one on one setting
o
MR offers the opportunity to question,
challenge, wrestle, and discover key aspects of the practical ways to implement
Christianity in our lives.
o
MR needs a seasoned Follower of Jesus to be
available to a less seasoned Follower
o
MR offers a way to grow in Jesus through
personal guided relationship
o
MR is a great strategy of growth that is
flexible depending on the personal schedule of the partnership
· Meaningful Fellowship
o
Followers of Jesus need fellowship that stems
from friendships
o
Fellowship is more than meeting and eating
together – it is a purposeful way for followers to discover natural friendship
in the church
o
Fellowship will stem from TSS and HG as a
natural outgrowth of people walking together through triumphs, tragedies, and
even the humdrum of life. Through every season of life we need fellowship of
other followers to encourage, challenge, and love us.
John
13: 34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you
love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for
one another.”
