Love People Through Small Group Community

Terry Wong

February 28, 2016

Eph 3:17b And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. NIV

Matt 22:39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." NIV

  1. God created you to need other people.

Gen 2:18 The Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." NIV

Eccl 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. NIV

  1. If you are a believer you are a belonger.

Eph 4:16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. NLT

  1. A small group is not a click or a clan.

Lev 19:34 The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. NIV

  1. The purpose of a small group:
  • To make new friends.

Matt 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. NIV

  • To welcome people into the family of God.

Mark 3:32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, "Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you." 33 "Who are my mother and my brothers?" he asked. 34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother." NIV

  1. People need healthy spiritual connections.

Acts 2:46 Every day they continued to meet together in the

temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. NIV

  1. Are you going to be a bridge or a barrier?

1 Thess 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. NIV