Wednesday, May 02, 2007

The Kitchen Table Environment ~ Small Groups

Here is my talk for this Sunday as it stands right now. I've been working on it off and on all day due to numerous meetings. I am feeling pretty positive about the direction and outline that I currently have thanks to the help of our Small Group Leadership Team and Bob Westfall, our senior/teaching pastor.

If you have a minute and would like to offer me some feedback, please leave a comment. Thanks!

The Kitchen Table ~ Come and share life!

1. The biblical case for community around the kitchen table
a. God exists in community – Genesis 1:26
We are created in God’s image; therefore, we are created for community.
b. Jesus example of gathering the 12 disciples
Jesus knew that the masses had deep needs. Yet, he spent most of his public ministry doing life and ministry together with his little community of 12 disciples.
c. Example of the early church – Acts 2:42
d. Jesus prayed that we would have the same oneness that the Trinity has. John 17:20-21

2. The benefits of sharing life in the kitchen table environment
God never intended Christianity to be a "Me, God, and my Bible" lifestyle. The Bible teaches that we also need each other for many reasons.
a. Small group members encourage each other in their faith.
b. People talk/share life more in small groups (I'm thinking about that one)
c. Group members hold each other accountable
d. Members pray for one another
e. Friendships start because of the closeness
f. Group members can help each other in hard times

At New Covenant, we believe that the kitchen table environment is absolutely integral in the process toward becoming a family of growing disciples.

3. The Kitchen Table at NCBC is our small groups
a. Impact group
b. MOPS, Hope for Moms, Weekly Bible studies
c. Men’s Fraternity
d. Host your own group (hmmm - i'm wondering about this one)
e. Attend Basic Leadership Training (hmmm - this one too)

Main Idea: We give God room to create close friendships by providing a healthy kitchen table.
Obviously, I have some work to do on this one. But, the outline is due tomorrow around noon so I'll probably finalize the outline tomorrow morning. Tye out.

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