Transcript p.10 – Go one Million Magazine Small Group Evangelism Produced by: Battle Cry Ministry God’s Plan for the Church • The Nation of Israel • During the.

p.10 – Go one
Million Magazine
Small Group
Evangelism
Produced by:
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Battle Cry Ministry
God’s Plan for the Church
• The Nation of Israel
• During the Exodus Jethro advised
Moses to organize the people in
small groups … “and place them to
be rulers of thousands, and rulers of
hundreds, rulers of fifties and rulers
of tens”.
• (Exodus 18:21)
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The Early Church
• In the first advent of Christ, Jesus organized
a small group: “And when he had called
unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them
power …” (Matthew 10:1)
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• The early church experienced the
power of the small groups – “and
daily in the temple, and in every
house, they ceased not to teach and
preach Jesus Christ”. (Acts 5:42)
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The Remnant Church
• The small groups were
established by God to have an
important role in the lives of his
people through the ages. The
remnant church began in small
groups and it will fulfill its
mission in the same way it began:
In small groups!
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The Spirit of Prophecy
• “Time is short, and our forces must be
organized to do a large work”.
• CS p.92
• “The formation of small companies as a
basis of Christian effort has been
presented to me by One who cannot err”.
CS p.72
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The Spirit of Prophecy
• “Hundreds and thousands were seen
visiting families and opening before
them the word of God. Hearts were
convicted by the power of the Holy
Spirit, and a spirit of genuine
conversion was manifest”.
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The Spirit of Prophecy
• When Ellen White describes God’s
people she says that they are waiting
for the return of Christ in small
groups. The small groups, used by
God, probably will do more than any
other thing to prepare us for that
experience and will keep us united
until God’s day.
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• May God help us to see the
small group the same way He
sees them. NOW is the time to
experience such a divine plan.
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Small Groups: They are now
much simpler
• Why should we organize small groups
within our church?
• 1. It is God’s will:
• “In our churches let companies be
formed for service.” CS 72
• 2. It is a Biblical principle
• (a) Moses organized the people into
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groups (Exodus 18:17 – 25)
• (b) Jesus formed a
small group with his
disciples
• (Mark 3:13-15)
• ( c ) The early church
began as a small
group
(Acts 2:42-47; 5:42)
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• 3. It is God’s plan
for His people in
the end of time.
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It is for large churches:
• “If there is a large number in the
church, let the members be formed
into small companies, to work not
only for the church members, but
for unbelievers.” SC 72
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It is for small churches:
• “If in one place there are
only two or three who
know the truth, let them
form themselves into a
band of workers.” CS 72
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What are the objectives in the
forming of small groups?
• “To work not only for the church members,
but for unbelievers also.” Ev., 115
• There are two main objectives of small
groups:
• 1. Spiritual growth: Prayer and Bible Study
• 2. Evangelism: Building relationships and
friendships, in order to gain souls for
Christ.
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What are “small groups”?
• 1. They are
weekly meetings
of 3-12 people
who seek
spiritual growth
and are
interested in
evangelism.
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• 2. Meetings last
approximately
one hour.
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• 3. Group membership can be
based on geographical proximity,
or personal affiliations with other
members.
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• 4. Meetings can
be conducted in
houses or
meeting halls.
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• 5. Each group has a
leader, an associate
and a meeting host.
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• 6. The members decide the day,
time and place of the meetings.
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• 7. Each group pledges to meet
regularly for at least six months.
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• 8. After six
months the
group may
recommit to
another time
period.
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• 9. Groups establish growth goals,
with the hope of creating new groups.
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Why small groups?
(What are the advantages of having small groups in the church?)
1.Promotes growth in the
relationship with God.
2.Increases the study and
understanding of the Bible.
3.Develops mutual friendship and
cooperation between members.
4.Attends to the needs of individuals.
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Why small groups? (cont’d.)
5.It empowers members to work
better in the Ministry.
6.It quickly identifies the various
spiritual gifts and talents of
members.
7.Aids the pastor in his task of
ministering to his church.
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Why small groups?
8.Reduces apostasy and increases
retention of members..
9.Contributes to the recruiting of new
disciples.
10.Mobilizes more church members
into actively working for the
conversion of others.
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What is the small group
program like?
• The time frame given for each stage of the
program is flexible:
• Area / Item:
Time:
Welcome and praise 10 mins.
Socialization 10 mins.
- presentation of visitors
- informal conversation
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The Program (cont’d.)
• The time frame given for each stage of the
program is flexible:
• Area / Item:
Time:
Testimony 15 mins.
• - evangelistic plans for the group
• - spiritual & missionary testimonies relating to
the the work being performed
• - evaluation of activities
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The Program (cont’d.)
• Area / Item:
Time:
Prayer 10 mins.
• - acknowledgements and requests
• - intercessory prayer
Bible Study
35 mins.
• -participation of all (B.S. courses, etc.)
• -life application of what was studied /
• members live & implement what is studied
Closing Prayer
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How to establish small groups:
1. Pray at every
step of the
establishing of
the groups.
2. Do not impose
the plan.
Participation
must be
voluntary.
3. Help the
church
leadership
understand the
plan.
4. Provide
everyone with
good materials
that are relevant.
5. Establish
groups
incrementally /
not all at once.
6. The plan
should be flexible
/ adapted to each
church & region.
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How to establish small groups:
7. Leaders
8. Provide
must be well
materials.
trained before
the establishing
of the groups.
9. To transform
units of action
into small
groups has not
been very
successful.
10. It is better
to transform a
small group
into a unit of
action.
12. Bible studies
for all interested
persons must
take part in their
own homes.
11. The study of
the Bible must
be the central
concern of the
small group.
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How to establish small groups:
13. During evangelistic
campaigns –if there are
special weeks of
emphasis – the small
group should
implement the program
of evangelism during
that week.
14. Wherever there are
children someone
should be asked to
provide the program for
them.
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 1. Preparation:
• The Pastor
 Study Bible & S.O.P., etc.
 Be convinced that SG are fundamental to spiritual
growth & evangelism
 Present plan to elders & get their support
 (Choose) a general Coordinator
 (Choose) all future leaders (of SG)
 Be assured of success (“We should never think of
failure. We must cooperate with one who knows no
failure.” CS 323)
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 1. Preparation:
• The Pastor
 Up to the Pastor – use a retreat, a week, an entire
weekend
 Provide information to all group members
regarding the responsibilities they are expected to
bear
 Coordinate with the leaders the date and time for
the weekly meeting dealing with training,
inspiration and evaluation (once the groups are
actively working)
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 1. Preparation:
• The Church
Church Board study & outline details of the
plan and chooses a general coordinator and
leaders for each small group
The church should pursue a revival – a week, a
weekend, etc. .. Spiritual preparation
Present the small groups plan to the church on
a Sabbath morning.
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 1. Preparation:
• The Church (cont’d.)
Invite church members that are interested to
sign up for a group
On Sabbath afternoons the leaders of S/G
should be called to distribute materials and
give everyone last minute directions.
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 2. Organization:
• a.Prepare a list with the names of all those who
signed up for the group, so that the leaders may
invite these members to form a group led by
him / her.
• b.Groups should organize themselves according
to their different affiliations, or because of
geographical considerations.
• c.No one should be forced into membership. All
should be free to choose which group they want
to join.
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 2. Organization:
• d.Families should belong to the same group,
unless the youth want to create a special group,
only for themselves.
• e.The church secretary must make a church
roster list available to the leaders so that they
might work to invite every member on the list
to participate in small groups.
• f.Another list of ex-members should be
prepared so that the small groups can work to
rescue these members.
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 2. Organization:
• g.Together with the general
coordinator, the leader must choose the
host that provides his or her house for
the meetings.
• h.Each leader works together with
each member to set a mutually
convenient day and time for the first
meeting.
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 3.Execution:
Initiate the meetings.
Each member should sign an agreement of
participation.
The agreement can be written or unwritten.
Each group can choose a name, a hymn, a
Bible text and a banner.
There should be a period of training for the
members (suggested duration: 4-8 weeks)
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 3.Execution:
It is only after this (training) period that the
group should invite new prospects.
Those to be invited into the small group:
• Parents
• Neighbours
• Friends
• Interested persons (found so, through
church attendance, various programs and
church institutions).
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 3.Execution:
An important motivation for prospecting
new members for the groups is maintaining
an empty chair during every meeting, and
praying and urging every member to bring a
guest.
There should be an agenda for intercessory
prayer, where the names and prayer requests
of interested parties are recorded.
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Necessary steps for implementation:
• 3.Execution:
Growth should be the goal of all small groups.
When this occurs then the group should split into
two small groups.
Each group should have its own missionary goals:
Interested parties
Bible studies
Visitation of members, interested prospects
and shut-ins
Baptisms
(How do we secure baptisms?)
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Soul Winning Jesus’ Way
(by Mark Finley)
• Follow these principles:
Pursue a spiritual revival (church, individual)
Be equipped (education, study, training)
Pursue committed service (for prospects)
Have a reaping campaign (baptisms result)
Ensure nurture and follow-up (soul-keeping)
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Activities for first small group
meetings:
Reception
Worship and Praise
Socialization and presentation of visitors
Define the date, time and place of meetings
Provide all necessary instructions to the group
Sign the personal commitment cards (see card)
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My Commitment
•
•
•
•
•
I will arrive on time at the meetings
If I can’t attend I will let someone know
I will help the group have a positive experience
I will participate in evangelism
I will help the group to grow and form another
group
• Our meeting day shall be ______________
• Hours will be from _______ to _______
• The period of group meetings will last for _____
months
• Name:__________________________________
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Activities for first small group
meetings (cont’d.):
• Provide names and addresses of church
members that should be visited or
invited.
• Bible Study.
• Closing Prayer.
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Weekly Meeting of Leaders
• 1.
• The life and longevity of a small group
depends on the inspiration and instruction
given to the leaders during their weekly or
quarterly meeting, directed by the Pastor or
by the General Coordinator.
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Weekly Meeting of Leaders
• 2.
• These meetings are for the
purpose of orientation,
training, evaluation and
inspiration.
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Weekly Meeting of Leaders
• 3.
• In the monthly missionary
Sabbath some of the small
groups may present a brief
report of their activities, or give
a specific testimony with
respect to their group.
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Weekly Meeting of Leaders
• 4.
• Each Sabbath the church should be
motivated to invite those that have
not yet participated to integrate
themselves into a small group.
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Duties of the Small Groups
Leaders
•
•
•
•
• 1. General Coordinator
Support the work of the small groups
Provide materials to all leaders
Assist in the organization of leadership
meetings
In the absence of the pastor the GC is to
lead the weekly leadership meetings
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Duties of the Small Groups Leaders
• 1. General Coordinator (cont’d.)
Work in harmony with the pastor, the elder or
the missionary director
Promote general meetings for testimonies,
motivational and social purposes
Lead in pursuing the mission of the small
groups
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Duties of the Small Groups Leaders
•
•
•
•
•
•
• 2. Leader
Conduct the weekly group meeting
Assist the group in evangelistic work
Visit the absent and provide any needed
help
Pray daily on behalf of the small group
Keep in touch with the associate leader
and the host
Attend the weekly (or quarterly) meeting
of leaders
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Duties of the Small Groups Leaders
• 3. Associate Leader
Support the leader with prayer
Conduct the meetings when the leader is
absent
Invite new members to the small group
Help in visiting the absent
Assist in the meeting of leaders
Provide a list with the names and
addresses of members
Fill out reports
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Duties of the Small Groups Leaders
• 4. Host
Provide his / her house for meeting
Provide adequate room for all
members
Welcome and greet all members and
visitors when they arrive
Assist the leader or associate leader
whenever they need (your) help
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General Meetings or Small
Group Festivals
• 1. What are they?
• They are meetings designed to inspire,
motivate, praise, give testimony, and
baptize.
• 2. When do they occur?
• Every quarter, on Sabbaths, or when the
church deems them appropriate.
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General Meetings or Small
Group Festivals
• 3. Who Participates?
• All church members. Small groups can
make short presentations to the church
dealing with their progress and their
continuing work.
• 4. Who leads the group?
• The Pastor and the General Coordinator
lead the group with the support and
assistance of the church’s small group
commission.
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