Foundations for Christian Leadership Mobilizing Small Groups

Teacher’s Notes Session 1

Biblical Foundations I
“SMALL GROUP MINISTRY OF JESUS”

SESSION GOALS: BY THE END OF THIS SESSION YOU WILL HAVE:

  1. Known several key strategies for small group ministry from the life of Jesus.
  2. Developed a Christ-like perspective for small group ministry.
  3. Evaluated personal and church’s small group ministry perspective.
  4. Evaluated personal ministry in light of Jesus’ strategy for small group ministry.
  5. Discussed in small groups how small group leaders can apply this session.

INTRODUCTION:

Jesus gave the church a mandate to fulfill the Great Commission by making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). Almost two thousand years have already passed by and the church of Jesus Christ as a whole is still seeking to obey Christ’s command. With this in mind, reflect upon the direction of your church. Are you moving with God’s Spirit in discipling church members and reaching out to non-believers for Christ? Perhaps, there is a need to go back to the Ultimate Disciple-Maker Himself, Jesus Christ and see how He makes disciples and learn from Him.

I.JESUS’ STRATEGY FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: (GOSPELS)

Strategy #1: Jesus develops His own spiritual life and ministry.

Jesus prioritizes constant communion with God (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12).

Jesus personally witnessed and reaches out to the lost (John 4:1-38; 39-42; Matt.11:1).

Jesus developed Himself in four areas. (Luke 2:52)

Strategy #2: Jesus forms His leadership core.

Jesus calls out Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John to be His disciples (Matt. 4:18-22; Mark 1:14-20; Luke 5:1-11)

Jesus calls out Matthew (Levi) to be his disciple (Luke 5:27-32).

Jesus invites Andrew invites brother Simon Peter (John 1:35-42)

Jesus calls Philip looks for Nathaniel (John 1:43-51)

Strategy #3: Jesus models outreach to His leadership core.

Disciples observe Jesus’ ministry:

teaching, preaching, healing (Matt. 4:23-25; 8:1-17)

casting out demons, healing, preaching, expanding leadership core (Mark 1:21-2:12)

healing, expanding leadership core, teaching (Luke 5:12-6:11)

being with non-Christians (Mark 3:1-12, synagogue and crowds; John 2:1-12. attending wedding, Matt. 11:1-19, towns and crowds)

Strategy #4: Jesus unleashes His leadership core for outreach by two’s.

Jesus shows them (disciples) the need for workers in the harvest field (Matt.9:35-38).

Jesus sends out twelve disciples by two’s for outreach ministry (Matt. 10:1-42; Luke 9:1-6).

Jesus continued His own outreach ministry after sending out the twelve (Matt. 11:1-19).

Jesus hears the feedback of ministry results from the twelve disciples and further models ministry to them (Luke 9:10-17).

Jesus sends out seventy-two other disciples for outreach ministry and hears their feedback (Luke 10:1-18).

Strategy #5: Jesus trains His leadership core for outreach.

Jesus trains the twelve disciples how to face oppositions in ministry (Matt. 12:1-14).

Jesus teaches the twelve disciples deeper truths about God’s kingdom (Matt. 13:1-52).

Jesus trains the twelve disciples on how to minister to others (Matt. 18:1-35).

Jesus teaches the twelve on prayer (Luke 11:1-12).

Jesus prepares the twelve disciples on His departure (Matt. 20:17-19; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 18:31-34).

Jesus teaches about servanthood (Matt. 20:20-28; Mark 9:33-37; John 13:1-17).

Jesus teaches about accountability (Luke 19:11-27).

Jesus teaches dependence on the Holy Spirit (John 14:1-3,16-17,26; 16:5-15).

Jesus teaches the twelve disciples to pursue intimacy with Him (John 15:1-17).

Strategy # 6: Jesus releases His leadership core for outreach ministry.

Jesus prays for His disciples (John 17:1-25).

Jesus sacrifices His life to demonstrate total obedience to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:36-27:56; Luke22:39-23:49).

Jesus resurrects to give hope to His disciples (Matt. 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-49; John 20:1-29).

Jesus sends out His disciples to continue His outreach ministry (Matt. 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-16, 19-20).

II.CHRIST-LIKE PERSPECTIVES IN SMALL GROUP OUTREACH MINISTRY: (ACTS 1:1-11)

Perspectives in Ministry / CORRECT
(JESUS) / WRONG
(APOSTLES) / ?
(YOU)
What? / Focus of Ministry / God’s Kingdom (vv.1-3) / Israel’s Kingdom
(v.6)
Who? / Basis of Ministry / Holy Spirit’s Power (vv.4-5) / Personal Experience
(v.5a)
Where? / Goal of Ministry / Expanding Target (vv.7-8) / Limited Target
(v.6)
When? / Scope of Ministry / Global Extent (vv.6-7) / Local Extent
(v.6)
Why? / Motivation for Ministry / Christ’s Return [HIGH]
(v.10b-11) / Christ’s Departure [LOW]
(vv.9-10a)

1