Scripture For The Heart of A  Small Group Leader

Scripture For The Heart of A Small Group Leader

Scripture For The Heart of A Small Group Leader.

All types of people can be successful small group leaders. We sometimes believe that it takes a special kind of person to be a leader or a great Bible Theologian to be able to lead a small group. The most important thing to remember is that God is more concerned with our heart than our ability.  We so often hear that God does not call the qualified but qualifies the called. So who can lead a small group Bible study?  Good News, You do not have to be perfect in order to lead a small group. What is important is that you are continuing to grow in spiritual maturity and that your heart is continually seeking after God. God’s Word helps us understand some of the traits that should be present in the life of any spiritual leader.

hrt leader

Scripture For The Heart of A Small Group Leader:

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Acts 2:46

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

Ephesians 4:15-16

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Acts 2:42

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 5:42

And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 20:20

How I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house,

Acts 2:40-4

And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. …

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Psalm 133:1

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Galatians 6:2

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

James 5:16

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Hebrews 3:13

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

2 Timothy 2:2

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Mark 3:13-15

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.

Matthew 28:19-20

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.”

Acts 2:46-47

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 1:13-14

And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Romans 12:10

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1 Corinthians 14:26

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

Acts 6:1-6

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. …

Deuteronomy 4:10

How on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’

Exodus 18:13-21

The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. …

Psalm 119:29-30

Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.

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How to Build Community in Your Small Group

How to Build Community in Your Small Group

How to Build Community in Your Small Group

community

Often, when a group is new people show up, do the study and watch the DVD or talk about a lesson. They bring their Bibles and make small talk. But, even though people are meeting and sharing this is not a real community.

One of the biggest challenges of leading a small group is getting people to feel comfortable being their authentic self.

In community, there is a sense of safety and vulnerability, where people show up and are their “real” selves. They also start to meet the real needs of their fellow group members and they do it for the right reasons, which is to honor and love God.

The best understanding of real community comes out of Romans 12:9-13

Love in Action

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Once we commit to Paul’s Idea in Romans we can practice being real and growing our small groups through the teachings in Acts 2: 42-47

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who 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.

 They were committed to the Word, committed to prayer, and committed to celebrating the Lord’s Supper and keeping Christ as their central focus. In the early church everyone had a great sense of unity and they shared many things in common. Basically, they did life together and supported each other in times of concern.

It doesn’t happen overnight. So now you’re wondering, “OK, I want authentic community, but I’m not sure if I can meet all these people’s ‘real’ needs, especially when I have my life, family, job, etc. What can I do?”

One way is to start by creating partners. Have families or people partner up with another group member and then start combining groups every couple of weeks until everyone is feeling safe, included and part of the community.

How 1,000 Eggs Are Opening Doors and Hearts.

How 1,000 Eggs Are Opening Doors and Hearts.

Whew!

I love Easter, but I’m a little relieved that it is over. We did 4 Easter egg hunts! Two of them were in places where we are established, Dutch Gardens Mobile Home Park, and Willow Way Apartments. The other two were in brand new places; Darlington Mobile Home Park, and Pine Village Mobile Home Park.
All were very successful, and well received. In addition to hiding over 1,000 eggs combined, we cooked hot dogs, and did a gift certificate drawing for adults.

easterwall
We have began following up with the people who came, using the names from the drawing.
Next steps? We are praying about doing weekly meetings in the 2 new locations. Please join us in prayer for open hearts and open doors, workers, and resources in these communities.

Are you having really sweet success in a small group? We would love to hear and share your tip or story! Like our Facebook Fanpage and leave us a message there!

 

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