R2D2, Part 1: Big Church Small Groups

  Title of my message is: Big Church, Small Groups(Acts 2:41, 47)  “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”  (Acts 20:20)  “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.”Big Church Myths•    We need quality not quantity. •    God isn’t interested in numbers.•    Big churches are impersonal.Big Church Truths1.  God wants everyone to be saved.(Luke 14:23 LB)  “Go out into the country…and urge anyone you find to come in, so that My house will be full.” 2.  There is strength in numbers.(Ecclesiastes 4:12)  “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”3.  God's plan is to reach the world is through relationships.       a. Relationship with His Son Jesus      b. Relationship with His Children, the body of Christ(1 Thessalonians 2:8)  “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” Small Group Myths•    It’s a waste of time.•    It’s not what I want or need.•    It’s awkward.Small Group Truths1.  It’s a place where we can really make a difference. (1 Corinthians 9:22 LB)  “…yes, whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him.”2.  It’s a place where you can grow.(Proverbs 27:17)  “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” 3.  It’s a place where everybody knows your name.(1 John 3:16 NLT)  “We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters.”