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