Basic Preparation for Transformation
Week 2, Email 2, Wednesday
Week 2, Email 2, Wednesday
Christians Together Absolutely Necessary: Part Three
The Power Plants of Christianity: Part 1
It is absolutely necessary for Christians to get together. God requires Christians to help one another do whatever God asks them to do. Being with a couple of Christians consciously in the name of Jesus and aware of the presence of Jesus opens up powerful possibilities.
Do not make the mistake that it is the organized church being discussed here. True, the organized church should be a gathering of many “twos and threes with Jesus”, but it is hardly that in the way being discussed here. It is a gathering of “ones”. Surely there is a time and place for large gatherings of Christians, but the stronger the “friendships with Jesus”, the “families with Jesus”, and the “marriages with Jesus”, the stronger and more obedient will be the larger the organizational church, a revival meeting, a missions trip, or a youth group.
Let us not give up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another . . . .
Hebrews 10:25
as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another . . . .
Hebrews 10:25
This admonition was written to Christians when they met in homes, some 300 years before the Roman Emperor made them gather in large buildings. These small gatherings, among other things, were for the purpose of the believers encouraging one another. Taking the bread and wine to remember Jesus was essential. And, individuals needed to have courage placed in them (the meaning of “en-courage”) for whatever God was asking them to do.
Friendships Together with Jesus
Small friendship groups that remember to come together always in the name of Jesus will have Him there to help them, to guide them as a team for one another’s faith, and to lead them into many exciting moments of ministry. For example, two or three friends with Jesus playing miniature golf, might get the strong sense that Jesus wants them to do something. Perhaps He wants them to help one of their party who is demeaning herself because of poor performance, probably an indication of a more serious problem the Lord wants to impact. Or the Lord might ask them to extend themselves as salt and light by lifting the spirits of the group playing in front of them who seem to be struggling to have a good time or to get along with each other.
I believe in small groups in the organizational church. In fact, my Masters Degree in Social Work specialized in group work, leading any kind of small group imaginable. The accomplishments of my secular and Christian careers has all hinged on a very successful model of small group leadership you can learn for free at www.lambsbride org.
But, it would be much harder for a small Bible study group out on the miniature golf course to do what has just been described. It is just easier to hear Jesus requesting something in a really small group. If the people remember He is there and listen.
Again, think of a group of Christian friends at work who are listening to Jesus and his concerns for others and the workplace as a whole. Over the course of time, Jesus might ask them to help someone perform better so he does not lose his job, pray with someone whose wife/husband is thinking of divorcing him/her, or confront management about poor and dangerous working conditions.
Or Jesus might ask a group of friends at an organizational church to help someone who seems always to be alone. He might ask them to introduce the person to two other lonely people and help them form an “inner circle” of their own for a more fulfilling spiritual life.
Think of the social and evangelistic impact on your community if hundreds of friendship groups lived this way – Jesus with them and leading them.
Friendships Together with Jesus
Small friendship groups that remember to come together always in the name of Jesus will have Him there to help them, to guide them as a team for one another’s faith, and to lead them into many exciting moments of ministry. For example, two or three friends with Jesus playing miniature golf, might get the strong sense that Jesus wants them to do something. Perhaps He wants them to help one of their party who is demeaning herself because of poor performance, probably an indication of a more serious problem the Lord wants to impact. Or the Lord might ask them to extend themselves as salt and light by lifting the spirits of the group playing in front of them who seem to be struggling to have a good time or to get along with each other.
I believe in small groups in the organizational church. In fact, my Masters Degree in Social Work specialized in group work, leading any kind of small group imaginable. The accomplishments of my secular and Christian careers has all hinged on a very successful model of small group leadership you can learn for free at www.lambsbride org.
But, it would be much harder for a small Bible study group out on the miniature golf course to do what has just been described. It is just easier to hear Jesus requesting something in a really small group. If the people remember He is there and listen.
Again, think of a group of Christian friends at work who are listening to Jesus and his concerns for others and the workplace as a whole. Over the course of time, Jesus might ask them to help someone perform better so he does not lose his job, pray with someone whose wife/husband is thinking of divorcing him/her, or confront management about poor and dangerous working conditions.
Or Jesus might ask a group of friends at an organizational church to help someone who seems always to be alone. He might ask them to introduce the person to two other lonely people and help them form an “inner circle” of their own for a more fulfilling spiritual life.
Think of the social and evangelistic impact on your community if hundreds of friendship groups lived this way – Jesus with them and leading them.
More examples are given at www.ChristiansTogether.org.
We have a “Friends Together with Jesus” Discipleship Pack to
grow a walk together with Christ. (Click "Resources" above.)
We have a “Friends Together with Jesus” Discipleship Pack to
grow a walk together with Christ. (Click "Resources" above.)