Tonight's blog for April 25, 2013

Tonight, will you think about this quote,  "A student learns what his teacher knows, but a disciple becomes what

his Master is. We are doing what our Master commands when we become disciples. We are following His example when we help others to become disciples." Not every one wants to be a disciple. Not all of us are willing to accept the challenge to live and breath and love like Jesus. That is what a disciple becomes. Every function of the church is to give way to this singular command by Jesus, "Go and make disciples… " How are we doing? Are we making any progress? Have we chosen to love, to learn, to do and to decide in ways that will honor Christ? 

I am thinking about our small groups. We have already quoted someone else that there are actually 4 options for groups, to be a (1) love group, with the emphasis on fellowship and caring, (2) a learn group, with the emphasis on studying and sharing of information, (3) or we could be "do" groups, where you meet with tools or food to share or something to do to help someone else,  or finally, (4) many want to be "deciders" and opt to make each group a combination of (1) or (2) or (3) with a strong emphasis on deciding for others or for ourselves how to love or what others need to learn or who to help. In the past, most of the activities in most of our churches were focusing on every one and every group being group (4), the deciders. Folks in those groups were, by definition, committees and not ministry teams or healthy small groups. 

Over the last two years here in Monroe, and for several years before we came, I had been trying to figure out how we can attempt to structure the church activities into healthy small groups. One concept I have read about was to insist on involvement in these kinds of groups prior to moving into a more committed relationship, such as membership or even to attend any group that is a (4) decide group. Part of my problem, frankly, as a leader is that I have found it difficult, if not impossible, to insist for others in areas that Jesus didn't expressly command. I have always felt that if HE says to do something, then as a worshiper and a follower of HIS, my obedience is a given, and my best act of worship is to do what ever HE asks, or commands, or shows me how to do. 

These groups, we could call them "D" groups for "discipling" groups should start with a combination of purposes, rather than strictly demanding to have one purpose. One goal could be to make ever "D"group into a "do" group first! Rather that starting as a student who receives facts, or studies books, we should do something in this area first. If our goal is to be a group that loves, we surely could do an act of love first. 

I got excited about this when I thought of our GOD, seeing to change the world. How would HE do that? What kind of groups would HE How one small group can change the world, one family at a time? My answer would be, "much better than to set as our goal to convert the whole world, or all people at one time. I am not sure that real change could happen that way. 

Let's take the best verse that I can think about, John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." If you wanted to change the world, how would you do it? Like GOD did? 

One Savior, JESUS 

One GOD, and Father of all people for all time in all places

One group at a time, the Church who is also HIS bride

One plan, invade the world, with Jesus as the ONE who willingly came to start the process of changing the world by His life, his will and his goodness. 

He started with one small group of 12, spent 3 years with them. Then He left them to do what HE could't do, reach out to everyone. Right? No. That one small group grew to become 120 and and then 3000 and then they changed the world, it is true. But that group of disciples, we call the Apostles, wasn't the first group!  

The first group was even smaller! It consisted of Jesus and Joseph and Mary. It began with a family . You know, the more I think about the church, the more I realize that we should see that first small group as the model for all that we do. Healthy, loving churches function best when we love, and learn, and do, and decide, like healthy, loving families. That goal isn't something you can insist on, but you can always keep this as our goal. Every activity of the local church would certainly profit if we did. Every family would function much more effectively as well! God bless you to night! Remember that Jesus loves you just like a husband should love his wife, and has already shown us hubbies how to do that… 

more later, big marv