Foundations
According to the late JI Packer, this is not optional exercise or a spiritual luxury but vital to Christian spiritual health.
Christian fellowship
Spending time together with other Christians is not necessarily this.
Fellowship
Sanctification is evidence of this point in our Christian walk.
True conversion
We must all see ourselves as what of our small groups?
Owners (Eph 4:15-16)
First step to confronting sin in others?
Examine yourself
Small groups won't be effective unless they exist to achieve this.
Biblical purpose.
You have to be born of this to experience true Christian fellowship
Born of the Spirit
Martin Luther said our only contribution to our justification is our what?
Sin
The ones responsible for the small group success.
Everyone, not just the leader.
James says that it's important to address sin in one another's lives because in doing so we may actually save his soul from this. (James 5:19-20)
Save his soul from death
Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given for this purpose.
For the common good or good of the whole body (1 Co 12:1-7)
Gal 6:10 - So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the _____ of faith.
Household or family
This is the word which describes our practice before God rather than our position.
Sanctification
Sometimes it's wisdom but more than often it's this that keeps us quiet when we should speak up.
Pride (Pr 17:28)
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would this.
A father.
Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
1 Tim 5:1-2
If one member of our community ___ then we all ___ together. Or if one member is ___ we ___ together. (1 Cor 12:24-26)
Suffer / suffer together. Honored / rejoice together.
Self sufficiency, formality, bitterness, elitism
Goal of sanctification
1) Increasing in freedom from sin and 2) Increasing in likeness of Christ
Together we are supposed to edify one another in order that we build up our small groups in what? (Eph 4:15-16)
Love
This is the primary driver for the decision not to address a wrong against us.
Love
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses (Prov 10:12)
What are the two other foundational elements of community other than "fellowship" and "sanctification"?
Mutual care and ministry of the Holy Spirit
Fellowship is sharing in life and truth made possible by the Holy Spirit through our union with Christ. We share this with others when we fellowship
As a community we are to consider how to stir up one another towards these two things.
Love and good works
This is the greatest contribution you can make to your group.
Your own pursuit of God.
If we have been sinned against we should not be silent for either of these two reasons.
Fear or anger.
You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.
Lev 19:17