Clear Purpose
To grow healthy spiritual lives by building a healthy small group community.
“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”
Group Attendance
To give priority to the group meeting (call, text or e-mail if I won’t be present during a week).
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one..”
Safe Environment
To create a safe place where people can be heard and feel loved (no quick answers, snap judgements, or simple fixes, no politics, no controversial topics, no selling products or services to other members).
“For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. ‘And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye, ‘ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hyprocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”
Be Confidential
To keep strict confidentiality. What is shared in the group stays in the group.
“Don’t betray another person’s secret. Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.”
Conflict Resolution
To avoid gossip and to immediately resolve any concerns by following the principles of Matthew 18:15-17 which begins with going directly to the person with whom you have an issue.
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”
Spiritual Health
To give group members permission to speak into my life and help me live a healthy, balanced spiritual life that is pleasing to God.
“There is safety in having many advisers.”
E - ENCOURAGE
S - SHARE SCRIPTURE
P - PRAY
N - NEXT STEPS
Limit Our Freedoms
To limit our freedom to avoid causing a weaker believer to stumble. For example, no serving alcohol at small group meetings or other events.
“So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.”
Welcome Newcomers
To invite our friends who might benefit from this study and warmly welcome newcomers.
“Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.”
Build Relationships
To get to know other members of the group and pray for them regularly.
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Serve Motivated
To work towards understanding how our group can effectively reach other to an organization or individual outside of our church to meet a need and share the life-giving message of Jesus Christ with them.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Shared Responsibility
Every member of the small group can help share in the responsibilities of the group’s study, next steps, projects and ministry needs. (See Group Priority)
“And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to Everyone.”