More Love and More Power in Your Small Group!
Opening
·
Pretend to be filling out my connect card as the
video stops & then, say jokingly, of course, the following…
·
`Oh “hi,” I was just realizing that this is the
best chance I have to sign up for a group for this Fall Semester. Even though
I’m already in a group, I want to make sure that I get my name in so that my
group doesn’t fill up!’
·
All kidding aside though friends, maybe for the
first time ever, we are giving you permission today to doodle during the message.
·
If you have not signed up yet for a small group,
take out the Menu, grab a pen and your Connect Card.
·
And, while I’m talking, feel free to browse
through the groups and find the one that best suits you!
·
And, if you are already a part of a group, (even
if it’s been for 10+ years!) we don’t need your contact info… just your name at
the top and your group name in the box at the bottom of the CCard.
PRAYER & WELCOME
ME
I love my weekends.
My day off is Friday and I get to spend those mornings with at least some of my
kids. Then, on Friday nights we get to do some family stuff. Saturday mornings
are another great part of our weeks. We spend time doing stuff outside, working
in the yard or swimming. This is, also, a great chance for us to go to breakfast
together as a family (or daddy makes a donut run J).
I love my weekends. And, most weeks I would say that those days are the
highlight of our family time together.
…but it’s not always the best time. Not long ago, a
Wednesday night was the best family time of the week. After school and work, we
jumped into kids’ pool for an hour, mom made us “breakfast for dinner” (always
a big hit), then the kids got their PJ’s on, grabbed their blankets and curled
up with mom & dad to watch Tangled. It was totally the best family night of the week… and
it wasn’t even the weekend.
WE
Why do I tell you all of this?
Well, we have been striving to “live out” the teachings of More Love & More Power
throughout this series. And hopefully, our (Saturday) Sunday meetings have been
one of the best days of your entire week. Hopefully, during these times you
have been freed to worship God and hear his voice as you follow the call on
your life & on our church during this season. Maybe, you’ve even taken the
Sunday challenges and gone out to love your city through practical and
spiritual exercises. Also, we are praying that More Vision has been stirred in
your hearts & dreams.
But, we don’t want you to miss this:
We continually want to see more
love & power come outside of the Sunday meeting!
Just as my weekends are the best times with my family, I
still want to spend time with them throughout the rest of the week!
So with us, as we see God moving powerfully among us on the
weekend worship services, so we want to see him move powerfully with us throughout
the week.
GOD
Let’s take a look at what the apostles & the early
church did after the day of Pentecost (the day when the Holy Spirit first
visited them in power & 3,000 new believers joined the family).
Acts 2:42-47 (The Message)
“They committed themselves to
the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the
prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through
the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding
everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources
so that each person's need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship
in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant
and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every
day their number grew as God added those who were saved.”
Wow, that sounds pretty good doesn’t it! Do you here how
their lives were completely turned upside down by the power of the Spirit. It
doesn’t say that they went back to their old lives does it? Now, I’m pretty
sure they went back to work their jobs, but their extra curricular really
changes. And, I think there are some really strong applications for us of how
we can see More Love & Power happen outside the Sunday meeting, especially
in our groups…
How does MLMP happen
in your small group?
(1)
Devotion to the apostle’s teachings
a.
not just knowing Bible but living it out
b.
We desperately want you to study your Scriptures
(reminder of how we started our year with “Eat & Pray God’s Word”) and we
strive to be a church that is “Biblically Thoughtful,” but…
c.
…the Scriptures (& in fact Christianity) are
not something personal but are meant to be lived out in community.
d.
There are over 40 different “one another’s” in
the apostle’s teachings of the new testament: love, encourage, spur to good
deeds, confess your sins, be kind, offer hospitality, be patient, accept and on
& on!
e.
Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in
brotherly love.”
(2) Devotion to each other à fellowship… devotion
to “doing life” together
a.
Do you see what happens when we devote ourselves
to the apostles’ teachings? It releases in us devotion to the thing that God
loves more than anything else… us/people!
b.
We are free to begin pursuit of each other. We
begin to devote ourselves to “doing life” together.
c.
It always amazes me that we sometimes miss this
as followers of Jesus. The most powerful day in the church was when it started
on the day of Pentecost and that led to people caring more for each other than
they did about themselves.
d.
Which leads to my favorite thing ever in
scripture J…
they began to desire time with each other.
(3) Devotion to eating together
à common meal,
communion, cookouts
a.
Explain the “love feast.”
b.
Explain how we can live this out in communion
with Jesus and with each other every chance we get… do realize that Heaven is
described as the “wedding feast”?
c.
When we eat together in true fellowship &
remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for us, we are practicing for eternity.
d.
Which leads us to celebrate and invite more of
Jesus into our groups!
(4) Devotion to prayer à worship & ministry
a.
When we study scripture & apply it to our
local community, we begin to want more of God’s Kingdom alive in our groups.
b.
We begin to worship the Risen King.
c.
We begin to invite the power of the Holy Spirit
into our groups, so that our lives & the lives of our friends will be
changed!
YOU
When we devote
ourselves to these things…
(1)
The Holy Spirit moves powerfully among us in signs and wonders.
a.
Cannot be afraid of this.
b.
1 Corinthians 14:22-25
c.
Our goal is to change lives & the Spirit
alone can do it.
(2)
The Holy Spirit moves us to great generosity and service.
a.
Good section of the message to recognize all
your leaders.
b.
Also, a good place to mention Outreach Options
Menu for your groups.
(3)
The Holy Spirit moves us to both corporate & intimate worship.
a.
Most not surprised by the corporate worship.
b.
But the thing is that when we’re devoted to the
stuff of the Kingdom & we desire to see the Holy Spirit move…
c.
Then, we will never miss an opportunity to spend
time in the presence of the King!
(4)
The Holy Spirit moves others to join the family!
a.
I love that this text says that “daily” people
were getting saved. Not just at the Sunday meeting, but daily!
b.
That means we have to meet more than Sundays
doesn’t it J.
c.
McIntyre and Wheet’s story (PICTURES PLEASE).
A year ago, I felt like God was leading me to take the How to Lead a High Impact Small Group. I had a big desire to be used as a small
group leader but honestly had no idea where to begin. I struggled with a huge fear of failure&
with leading a group, the fears were definitely there. Ironically, at the training, another person
got a word for me, “harvest.”
“Exciting,” I thought? I figured I would take the risk but wouldn’t be
surprised if no one ever showed up.
Around that same time, my wife (Bri) and I met Jeff and
Sandy Welter. God started knitting our
hearts to the Welter’s hearts right away. Then, one Sunday afternoon, Bri took
the risk every member of the Vineyard is asked to take and asked Sandy if we
could pray for her right then and there.
Sandy agreed, and Bri and I were able to bless Sandy in the name of
Jesus.
The Welter’s started attending the Vineyard, & birthed a
new and growing relationship with Jesus.
Through our friendship with the Welters, we were introduced to Butch and
Chrissy Wheet. God was weaving together a beautiful story, working behind the
scenes, while we were all oblivious. We got together for a cookout or just to
hang out, and Jesus was moving the entire time.
One day Butch told me he noticed something positive about my
life, and he wanted it! Bri and I started getting together with the Wheets, and
they started opening up their lives to Jesus and the love He had for them. I still remember how full of questions Butch
was. He was seeking God, but I don’t think he was prepared for the no strings
attached love and grace of Jesus. We
asked Butch if we could pray for him; Butch gave us permission so we invited
the presence of God to visit Butch. We
blessed Butch and his family and asked God to begin His work of restoration, to
heal the hurts from the past, and to reveal to them the great love the Father
had for them.
The next morning the enemy attacked by sending Butch to the
ER with unexplained pains in his abdomen.
I remember Hap instructing us that when the enemy attacks, we counter-attack
in prayer. So, that’s what we did. Jesus was pursuing Butch and the full force
of the powers of Hell didn’t stand a chance against the furious love Jesus had
for Butch. Little did we know, Chrissy (wife)
was already working behind the scenes trusting in the power of Jesus. She was praying for Butch and shortly later
the pain evaporated.
Later, the Wheets visited church. During, their second visit, God came like a
flood. I remember feeling very uncomfortable in worship because I was so
worried about what Butch was thinking. God
whispered, “Don’t worry about Butch, I’m going to meet with him. Now I want to meet with you.” Suddenly there
was peace, I was free to worship, and I enjoyed God’s presence.
Later that same day, Butch and Chrissy asked us over to
their house. I noticed Butch seemed
different, but I wasn’t sure why. As we
sat in the living room visiting, Butch looked me in the eye & asked me if I
was praying for him during the service earlier that day. “Busted,” I thought, “Did I just offend my
friend?” I answered Butch that I had
been praying for him that God would bless him and meet with him. Butch looked at me and as tears started
welling up in his eyes said, “Well, He came to me, and I let Him in.” Praise
Jesus! Butch then went on to describe
the peace he felt as the Spirit of God came into his life.
From there, Butch and Chrissy started sprinting to
Jesus. They couldn’t get enough of
Him. A few weeks later Butch’s sister
Aimee had moved to town and started at the Vineyard. She now is pursuing Jesus and is on the
journey of her life. Bri and I asked if
they would like to start a small group with us and the Welters. Then, Bri invited another couple that has a
daughter the same age as ours. A few weeks later we met together in our home &
another couple joined us. God filled our
home with new friends from relationships that he orchestrated and filled our home
with His presence as we met together.
Since then, we have been learning and growing together how much God
desires to be in intimate relationship with us.
Also, we’re learning our identity through the mind-blowing work of
Christ. Lately God has put several of
our other friends and neighbors in Mahomet on our hearts so we’ve been praying
for them. Praise Jesus for His great love;
the harvest has just begun!
WE
Well, if that story doesn’t get you excited about more love & power coming
outside the Sunday meeting, then nothing will J
We want everyone to join a group in this church. In fact, we
want to see more people in groups than come on Sundays. We believe that the key to us having an
amazing Urbana campus is
the small group system!
Imagine the Love and Power that would move through our
church as we committed ourselves to the same ideals that the early church did.
Imagine the freedom the Holy Spirit would have to use us to
change our cities.
That’s why we have groups that include…
·
Middle school, high school & college
students
·
Young adults, singles, married, family friendly
& 50+ groups.
·
Special groups focused on addictions, grief,
divorce, financial freedom, etc.
·
We have groups in Champaign, Urbana, Savoy,
Philo, Tolono, Mahomet, St. Joseph and more (all our campuses were started this
way!).
·
We have groups for people who want the basics of
Christianity (Alpha).
·
We have groups called ENGAGE that are for people who have never
been in a group and are nervous about going to a group for the first time.
·
We have leadership groups & training groups.
· We have a group for YOU!
Don’t be overwhelmed. We don’t want you to choose
everything, but we don’t want you to choose nothing. Pic one group… get plugged
in… and see the Kingdom of God come as you devote yourself to More Love &
More Power in your life!
Prayer & Introduce Offering
After worship, I’ll be back up for
ministry time…
MINISTRY:
Introduce the words on the screens (remind people of
pre-service prayer teams).
Specific words for this message:
·
Prayer for our small group leaders &
coaches.
·
Prayer for those who are thinking about
launching a group.
·
Those who are thinking about joining a group.
·
Any who want to see the Lord move more
powerfully in their group.
