Radical Membership Session 3 Continued. taught by Rick Warren
Where did the Church meet?
“(They met) day after day, in the Temple Courts and from House to House…” – Acts 5:42
Advantages of Small Groups:
- Relational
- Flexible
- Expandable
- Economical
“Small Groups are relational.”
“Small groups are the laboratory for learning how to love.”
“It’s a waste of money to build/have a room you are only going to use once a week.”
“Buildings are tools not monuments.”
“Every building/room should be multi-purpose.”
“Grow larger and smaller at the same time.”
“The church that doesn’t care if they grow are telling the rest of the world that ‘they can all go to hell.’” (Harsh, but true)
7 Marks of a Healthy Small Group: Acts 2:41-47
1. They Studied the Bible
- “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching….” v.42
2. They Fellowshiped and ate together
- “They devoted themselves… to the fellowship”
- “They ate together with glad and sincere hearts” V.46
- Frequency is the key to consistency
- Food is the tool to fellowship
3. They shared Communion together
- “They devoted themselves… to the breaking of bread”
- They shared communion together in each others homes
- Communion is only for believers
- It’s impolite to serve communion in front of people who it’s not meant for.
- Communion was called the Lord’s Supper, not the Lord’s Breakfast
- 1 Cor. 11 Openness to God, and Openness to God’s people
4. They Prayed for each other
- “They devoted themselves… to prayer”
5. Helped each other in practical ways.
- “They gave to anyone as he had a need…”
6. They Worshiped together
- “They praised God and enjoyed the favor of all the people”
7. They Invited others to Church
- “Everyday, the number in their group continued to grow as the Lord added those who were being saved.
- Each One – Reach One
The proof of a healthy small group is reproduction.
If there are more than 8-10 people in a small group reproduction needs to take place.
