Introduction

We are made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27).

1. God is Triune, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, aka the Godhead. Three Divine Persons eternally existing in One.
2. We were made from “Us”; from “Our”. These are plural pronouns.
3. In the beginning Adam lived with God in perfect harmony and there was no sin in the world, thus no consciousness of sin.
4. Yet, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. Therefore I will make him a helper comparable to him.”. (Genesis 2:15)
5. This was not good because it was not reflective of God, not the design of man as created by God. WE were not created to live alone because we are social beings and we need one another.

1 Corinthians 12:21 NLT – The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”

Jesus Started a Small Group

1. Jesus began his ministry of preaching teaching and healing. This was an integral part of his mission; it was part of the work that the Father gave him to do.
2. Interesting Point: On the cross Jesus cried out “It is finished” (John 19:30). The work of redemption had been completed.

However, He said in His High Priestly prayer, “I have finished the work which you have given Me to do” (John 17:4).

 Jesus was Ordinary

(in highlighting our theme)

• He was born into poverty.
• He was born in Nazareth. Nathanael said, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?
• Isaiah 53:2 TPT – He possessed no distinguishing beauty or outward splendor to catch our attention – nothing special in his appearance to make us desire him.

Jesus’ Disciples were Ordinary

• Four to five months after Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan He began to build a small group (John 1:35-36).
• These were ordinary, Jewish, teenage boys: some brothers, some mama’s boys, some unstable and talkative; a tax collector and a zealot who wanted to overthrow Rome.
• After being in His ministry for 10 to 11 months, Jesus said, “Come follow Me and I will make you I will make you fishers of men.
• His approaching them suggests that they were rejected by other rabbis to follow them, thus had to return to their family business.
• When a rabbi recruited you he was saying, “I believe in you and I believe you can be like me.”

To Experience Fellowship

Statement of Affirmation: You need to belong and connect. You need fellowship to grow.

The Greek word for fellowship is “koinonia”, which means “mutual participation”, “sharing in common”, and “communion”. There is more to this definition that I will share later.

We all have Jesus in common and we participate because of Jesus and for Jesus, this fellowship existed in the early church and still exists today. There are two very clear biblical expressions of this:

Larger Gatherings, which were known as ‘temple gatherings’ which we know today as attending church.

Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV – And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, exhorting one another and so much more as you see the day approaching.

Statement: “you cannot grow into God’s fullness meaning becoming more like Christ and serving with your gifts and talents without fellowship.

Smaller Gatherings, which was referred to as ‘house to house’, which we know today as small groups.

Acts 2:46 NKJV – So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house they ate their food with simplicity and gladness of heart.

God’s plan for His church is that every member consistently experience both.

“Why is community and small groups so important?”

Her answers…

So you can receive healing.

James 5:16 NKJV – Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective and fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

So you can be restored.

Galatians 6:1 NKJV – If a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

So you can be cared for.

To Experience Friendships

Note: Deepening friendships are a part of the definition of “koinonia” and is enhanced level of friendship, which is the next stage in fellowship.

Two considerations for this deeper level of fellowship called friendship.

You can be yourself (even when you’re not your best self)

• Example of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane with His 3 closest friends…
• He’s crying out loud
• He’s got blood on His face
• He’s wrestling with the will of the Father

You Help Each Other Grow in Christlikeness

In the times of Jesus, it was desired and critical to study with the rabbi, but it was considered as essential to have one or two people who can learn with you. rabbi said to sit together and exchange.

Early rabbis said: When two sit together and exchange Words of the Torah, then the Divine Presence dwells among them.

Jesus said for two or three together in my name, I am there in the mist of them in an orthodox Jewish seminary.

In an Orthodox Jewish Seminary you would see a group study a text, but each student is also studying with a haver, which is literally a friend.

You’re friends are people you can:

1. Share your struggles and victories with.
2. Listen to with empathy.
3. Pray for and with.
4. Share a verse or bible passage with.
5. Ask questions to.
6. Develop vision, goals and directions for your life.

To Expand the Experience by Expanding Small Groups

Remember, Jesus created community.

1. He dwells in community with the Father and the Spirit since eternity past.
2. His 12 disciples
3. Then, 70 disciples
4. Then, 120 in the upper room
5. Then 3,120 after Peter preached (Acts 2:41)
6. Then 8,120 after Peter preached (Acts 4:4)

The Commission of Jesus

Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV – Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen,

1. The church was exclusively Jewish in the beginning and it had not gone into all the world and made disciples of all nations.
2. Their ethnic, historical and religious background created a filter which caused them not to fully grasp or understand the gospel was for all, not just for the Jewish people.
3. It took them 10 years to get moving and step into what God wanted done in the world.
4. Today you have an opportunity not sit and wait, but to respond to what God is doing in the world through the church and what God is doing her at Zoe Center.

The ASK: The Application – 2 Questions

1. Would you be willing to sign up to become a Small Group Leader her at ZC?
2. Would you let us know what kind of small group you would be interested in leading?

(i.e mens, womens, single, hiking, fishing, walking, etc.)

 

© Pastor Ken Mulkey., 2024