Why Me?

SMALL GROUPS ARE NOT A OF OUR CHURCH; SMALL GROUPS ARE IN OUR CHURCH.

And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.”  Acts 5:42 (NLT)

Why are Small Groups Important?

1. They are
   1. Every person needs to be part of large group and small group .
2. They are
   1. At first, an ABF class is just group.
   2. Then, an ABF class becomes group.
   3. Finally, an ABF class becomes group.
3. They are
   1. Our church must grow and at the same time.
      1. We grow larger in large group .
      2. We grow smaller in fellowship.

4 Biblical Reasons for Small Groups

1. In Small Groups, you find .
   1. Romans 1:12 (NASB) – That I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
2. In Small Groups, you experience .
   1. Acts 2:42 (NASB) – They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
3. In Small Groups, your power for is increased.
   1. Matthew 18:20 (NASB) – “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
4. In Small Groups, your capacity to is strengthened.
   1. John 13:35 (NASB) – “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

What Happens in Small Groups?

1. You Another’s
   1. Hebrews 3:13 (NASB) – But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
2. You Another’s
   1. Romans 15:5 (NASB) – Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus
   2. Hebrews 10:24 (NLT) – Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
3. You Another’s
   1. Galatians 6:2 (NASB) – Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Why is Christian Fellowship so important?

1. You in God’s Family with Other Believers
   1. Galatians 6:10 (NASB) – So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
   2. Ephesians 2:19 (NASB) – So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household
   3. Romans 12:5 (NASB) – so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
2. You Need to Grow Spiritually
   1. Proverbs 27:17 (NLT) – As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
3. Christ is when we Fellowship Together
   1. Matthew 18:20 (NASB) – For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
4. Fellowship is a to the World
   1. John 17:21 (NASB) – that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
5. You are to Every Other Christian
   1. 1 Peter 4:10 (NASB) – As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
   2. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (NASB) – so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.