COMMUNITY | FAITH | LOVE
This class will help emphasize our renewed efforts toward being a people of prayer. Billie Todd has prepared an extensive study through the Scriptures on the topic, which is not just information but practical application.
Use the Connection Card on Sunday to sign up for the class. There is a detailed workbook, so registration is greatly appreciated.
Jesus called His disciples into a life of community. He did that with His first disciples, and He continues to do that today. Following Jesus as our leader is not merely an individual exercise. He calls us into His body, His family, His flock, His church. He knows that we will need traveling companions on this life journey—brothers, sisters, people to encourage us, people to challenge us, people to walk alongside us, people to get in our face when we get off the path.
Who are you walking alongside today? Who encourages you as you learn to follow Jesus? Who are you strengthening by your presence? Into whom are you pouring your life? Who is pouring life into you?
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.— Hebrews 10:24-25
We hope that you get involved in community life here at King’s Grant. Sunday morning small groups are quite convenient, at 9:45 a.m. (after and before morning worship) and Wednesday groups begin January 9 at 6:00 and run through Easter 2019.
The start date has changed to November 7
We have a lot going on in our Awana Clubs.We meet each Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
After all this talk about church and vision over the past few months, it’s time to make this practical.
What are the next logical steps to develop this equipping model of ministry?Beginning on Wednesday, October 25, we will have a 7-session video and discussion series on what is called “Leadership Pipeline.” Why? Because of this new vision Ken has been casting, and what we are calling “the next” for King’s Grant (development of an equipping culture), it cannot not happen apart from leadership development.
These video sessions are from the 2016 leadership pipeline conference and will cover these topics…
It all starts this Wednesdays October 25 in the sanctuary at 6:15.
These video segments are coordinated with Ken’s teaching series called, How to Make a Lasting Impact (October – November 2017).
We handed out the Thom Rainer book to every family, and I challenge classes to get together and discuss the information we learn from our reading. We are not replacing the class lessons, but hope that we can stimulate conversation by encouraging every family to read this book.
For the rest of the series, check out kgbc.us/impact.
Here is an awesome illustration by Francis Chan on how not to make disciples.
King’s Grant Baptist is about building the Kingdom through making disciples, which means helping you to become a devoted follower of Jesus. Small groups are the key in your spiritual growth process. Below you will find some positive benefits in becoming involved in a small group; yep, you get something out of being in a small group.
1. You will begin to really feel like part of God’s family.
We believe it is imperative that as a church grows larger, it should also grow smaller at the same time. It should be the desire of growing churches to provide a small group for everyone that wants to get connected. In a society that is increasingly mobile and where families are fragmented, small groups can provide a family atmosphere where no one has to stand alone.
2. You will grow spiritually faster in a group than alone.
We have been “predestined to become conformed to the image of Christ” (Romans 8:29). Spiritual growth involves life change. Life change is optimized in the context of a small group. 2 Timothy 2:22 teaches that we are to “run after” godly character and “run away” from the passions of youth. This verse instructs us not to do this alone but “with those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.” God wants us to stop “trying” and start “training”. It’s always easier to exercise physically or spiritually in a group than alone (1 Timothy 4:7b).
3. You will receive customized care.
Each member of a small group provides care for the other members of the group (1 Corinthians 12:25). The group leader oversees the pastoral care of the group through the sub-group leaders. The group, rather than church staff, becomes the first line of resources. This is accomplished as believers in the group see themselves as contributors and not just consumers, givers and not just attenders.
4. You will not have to go through struggles alone.
It’s not only possible but also probable that you could walk into and out of a large group event with hurts, heartaches, and soul-searching questions but never connect with someone that will show an interest in you or identify with your difficulty. In a small group setting the principle of “commonality” is often experienced. Many of us think our struggles are unique to us, but in a small group we find out that personal problems are universal. It’s exciting to find out that the members of your group have not only struggled with common problems but have found common solutions in God’s Word (1 Corinthians 10:13).
5. You will have a natural way to share Christ with friends, relatives, and work associates.
It may be that some of your friends who don’t know the Lord wouldn’t be caught dead in a church. They have a preconceived idea and just the thought makes them defensive. But those same people may be open to an invitation to a casual Bible discussion in a home or office setting. In a small group, your unbelieving friend can ask questions and express honest doubts without feeling “put on the spot”. When your friend sees the love and warmth and honesty of your group, it will make him more receptive to the good news (John 13:35; Acts 5:42).
6. You will be a New Testament Christian.
The early church met as a large group for corporate worship at the temple and then as small groups from house to house (Acts 2:46; 5:42; 20:20; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2). The New Testament is very clear about how God intended for His people to meet in small groups so they could experience authentic biblical community. The New Testament is also very clear to point out that these were communities with a purpose. They used these small groups to fulfill the Great Commission in a Great Commandment way. They weren’t an end in themselves.
7. You will have a place to discover and use your spiritual gifts.
When people are born into their physical family they are given natural talents, but when they are born into the family of God they are given spiritual gifts. These gifts are God-given abilities that enable believers to effectively serve one another. Attending a spiritual gift workshop and taking a gift assessment is a vital step in discovering your gift mix, but it is the members of your group that provide confirmation of your gift after watching you in action. People that have no arena in which to exercise their gifts struggle to identify them. A neighborhood group is a wonderful place to steward the gifts God has sovereignly given you (1 Peter 4:10, 11).
8. Prayer will become more meaningful to you.
Many people are hesitant to pray in front of others, especially in a large church. In a small group of 6-12, you will learn to participate in prayer by having a conversation together with God. No one is pressured to pray, but as you become comfortable, you’ll be able to pray sentence prayers and join in. There are many promises in the Bible related to group prayer. In praying together with a few others, we are drawn together and we find answers to the needs in our lives (Matthew 18:19).
9. You will develop leadership skills.
Many people are scared of the word “leadership”. John Maxwell says, “Leadership is just influence.” Most believers would say without reservation that they want to influence their world for Christ. They would love to be used by God to lead someone to Christ and see him grow up spiritually and multiply himself. Acts 4:13 says “Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” These men had obtained the confidence they needed to lead others to the Savior because they had been discipled in Jesus’ group. Discipleship ultimately produces leadership skills in you. One day you will be discipling a small group of believers.
10. You will understand the Bible better in a neighborhood group.
Have you ever listened to a message from the Bible at a worship service and wanted to stop the speaker and say “But what about .?” or “I don’t understand!” If so, then a small group is for you. The message that is taught in our worship service is one way communication. You listen while the speaker speaks. It’s fine for imparting knowledge, but not as effective for personal application as a small group. In a small group setting, you can ask questions, participate in a discussion of the text, and hear others share their insights and illustrations of the truth you are trying to grasp. The Bible must be applied to your own personal situations and that happens best in small groups.
INFORMATION from Rick Leineweber, Virginia Beach Missional Church
