Visualizing Life As A Group Part 2

Today, I want to briefly discuss the answers to Monday's questions regarding small group life. Here are those observations:

1. Vision. What is it the group wants to accomplish? 

2. What group of people are they trying to reach? 

3. Why are they trying to reach that group of people?

4. How will that group of individuals once reached, reach outside the group to the   community around them?

Now let’s look for the answers...

1. Vision. What is it the group wants to accomplish? 

Shawn Lovejoy writes this in regard to creating a vision. You can read the entire article here. http://pastors.com/three-things-communicated-by-vision http://pastors.com/three-things-communicated-by-vision//

He says, "A clear vision communicates three things..."

1. Why we’re here: our purpose.

2. Where we’re going: a picture of the future.

3. What guides us along the way: what we value?

This seems pretty simple and straightforward. Couple this with prayer and meeting with your group and you can work toward the vision God desires you to have. 

2. What group of people are you trying to reach?

Obviously, this also comes through prayer. Is your group aiming to reach college aged individuals? Is you group trying to reach mothers with small children? Obviously other groups of people come to mind as well. As I said, this is where prayer individually and as a group is key.

3. Why are they trying to reach that group of people?

Once again, prayer is always the key to seeking the answer to any question regarding to starting and sustaining groups. Obviously there is a reason for reaching out to this particular group of people. The group’s first main idea is discipleship; however there may be a specific idea you are trying to get across to them; such as parenting skills if they are young parents. Leadership if they are potentially seeking to leadership skills; you can go in many different directions with this. Again seek God in prayer.

4. How will that group of individuals once reached, reach outside the group to the community around them?

The answer seems obvious enough. Serve others. However, that is easier said than done. Praying about simple ways to serve is the key. As always, prayer is the key to all of the above. Matthew said it best in how to achieve this. He writes...

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

I hope this will give you a better picture of group life. Send me your feedback. I would love to hear from you...

Greg

Visualizing Life As A Group Part 1

Lets think about what a group should look like. First they need a vision. What is it the group wants to accomplish? Secondly, what group of people are they trying to reach? Thirdly, why are they trying to reach that group of people. Finally, how will that group of individuals once reached, reach outside the group to the community around them. These are but a few questions. The next step is answering each of the questions raised. Check back tomorrow for part 2 of this blog.

Spiritual Transformation Continued...

It has been wonderful reflecting on the concept of spiritual formation. One of the things I am really interested in finding out is how small groups aid in the spiritual transformation of high school aged students. One of the reasons I am seeking this information is to complete my graduate thesis. While this is truly important for me, the deeper reason still lurks in the kingdom.

The deeper reason for gaining this knowledge lies in kingdom living. Namely attaining Christ-likeness. The Apostle Paul writing Ephesians 4: 10-15, puts it this way.

"10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..."

With that being said, "does participation in small group bible studies actually aid in true spiritual formation? Do they help the follower of Christ grow in the measure Paul speaks?"

What do you believe? Any comments? I would love to hear from you!

One of the benefits of being a small groups pastor is that you get to participate in the ongoing spiritual formation of people. The key word is participate, not form. Forming a person spiritually is up to God; however, the person God is forming is part of the equation as well.

Henri Nouwen had this to say in regards to spiritual formation. "Spiritual formation, I have come to believe, is not about steps or stages on the way to perfection. It's about movements from the mind to the heart through prayer in its many forms that reunite us with God, each other, and our truest selves."

With that being said, our task as followers of Jesus Christ, is to become our "truest selves" (italics mine). This means then that we have to pay close attention to our mind and most importantly our heart, guarding against any outside influence from others and the culture; which in and of itself has its own influence upon our formation. It's about praying to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through  you as you begin to form in a way that helps you grow as a follower of Christ. It's about the mind and heart communicating in concert together to form a magnificent symphony of praise and thanks to our creator for taking an active role in bringing us to where he desires.

I pray today that you actively seek out our creator. I also pray that you actively seek to be part of a small group, host a small group, or lead a small group bible study. I am here for you! Let me know of any way I can assist you in any way.

Living small....

Greg