Perry’s Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers

Inevitably, whenever a church begins a small group ministry, someone will object to its biblical validity. Since small groups go against traditions that we have established (Sunday evening services, for instance), we assume it is unscriptural.

Whenever I start a church endeavor, the first thing I do is look for the biblical validity for the effort. If I cannot find it, I move on to other things. However, I appreciate Bill Hybels’ sentiment, ”If it is in the word it should be in the world.” God’s ways are far superior to ours. What is the biblical foundation for establishing a ministry of Small Groups within a congregation? Consider the following biblical examples for Small Group Ministry.

• Small Groups are a way to nurture and care for each other. (Acts 2:44-46; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12; 1 Peter 5:1-5)
• Small Groups were Jesus’ primary means of training his 12 disciples. (Matthew 17:1; Mark 3:13-14)
• Small Groups were part of the first century church. (Acts 2:42-47; 5:42; 20:20)
• Small Groups provide an effective environment for instruction, encouragement, prayer support, and accountability. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 1 Corinthians 12:24-26; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:24- 25; James 5:16)
• Small Groups promote spiritual multiplication (2 Timothy 2:2; Exodus 18:13-27)

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

OpenPlease share your answer to one of the following:

• What are some family rituals from your youth that you still observe today?
• Describe your most embarrassing moment.

Study

Read Galatians 3.1-9 and discuss the following:

• What is the point Paul is making about receiving the Spirit and observing the Law? Why do you think this is a big deal to him?
• What do you think the relationship of their “suffering” (3.4) and Christ’s death (2.21) is in regard to this matter?
• How does Paul use Abraham to support his point?
• How do gentiles (non-Jews) become children of Abraham? Why is this important?
• Where does human effort come into the salvation story?

Apply

• What is the tension between faith and works? Why do you think it is hard NOT to try to work for salvation?
• In what ways would you say faith requires effort for you?
• How is faith different from earning salvation or favor with God?
• It has been said that if we are “good,” God won’t love us any more; and if we are “bad,” God will not love us any less. How is this an encouragement to you? How can it be abused?

I had the privilege of hearing Rabbi Michael Weygant speak last week at the Kehilat Rosh Pinah (www.roshpinah.org), a Messianic Jewish synagogue in Oklahoma City. His message made me think about the spiritual war that we are in. It is critical that we keep on fighting as God’s people before us have. 

Near the end of his life, the apostle Paul said that he had “fought the good fight” (2 Timothy 4:7). What makes a fight “good“? Here are a few thoughts:

The fight is good when we are victorious. We don’t seem to mind the wounds, the pain of conflict, or the sacrifices – if we win. Athletes say, “No pain, no gain.” Navy Seals in their training have the motto: “The only easy day was yesterday.” On the other side of a victorious conflict we can look back and appreciate the pain of preparation.

Paul had wins and losses (2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10). Overall, however, Paul would say that victory was a “sure thing.” We win because Jesus won the war in his resurrection. There are skirmishes along the way but if we remain faithful to Jesus we share his victory.

Throughout the history of God’s people we see victories. These were not victories that came because God’s people were smarter than the enemies; the victories came by trusting God. Moses raised his hands with the rod of God and Joshua’s army defeated the Amalekites (Exodus 17). Of course, Aaron and Hur helped out a little. David won a victory over the giant with a sling, a stone and the blessing of God.

What about you? What battles are you waging today? The Adversary will try to make you think that you can’t win. Just as in the first Gulf War when the Iraqis left Kuwait with burning oil fields, they knew they could not win; he will try to inflict as much pain on you as possible. BUT, he can’t win and in Jesus, you can’t lose. Fight the good fight!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

OpenPlease discuss your response to one of the following:

• What is one thing that really bugs you?
• What book (other than the Bible) has impacted your life?

Study

Read Galatians 2:15-21 and discuss the following with your Group:

• How have you heard the word, “justified” used outside of church? How do you think Paul is using it?
• Compare Paul’s words here with Acts 13:38-39. What is Paul’s main point? Why do you think it is so important to him?
• How would you explain being “justified by faith” to someone who was searching for God?
• What do you think is the difference between “rule-keeping” and obedient actions? (See also James 2:24).
• What are the dangers of trying to be justified by “rule-keeping”? What are the dangers of “faith only”?
• How might we abuse God’s grace?

Apply

• How do you feel knowing that you can never do enough good things to earn God’s favor?
• How do you feel knowing that God loves you enough to “pay your way” by his grace?
• What “additions” (traditions) to the gospel might people want? How can we keep our focus on Jesus and off of ourselves in these?
• In what ways does a proper view of grace motivate you to act?

 Do you remember the story of the young bride who was cooking a roast for her husband? He noticed that she cut the end of the meat off before cooking it and inquired as to why. “That’s how my mother taught me,” she replied. Not satisfied, he went to his new mother-in-law to ask about this cooking technique. She said, “That is the way my mother taught me.” Still not satisfied, he went to his grandmother-in-law to investigate the procedure. The grandmother said, “I cut off the end of the roast because my pan was too short!”

There are numerous traditions that start for good reasons (2 Thessalonians 3:6). We pass them from one generation to the next, often without explanation. When questioned about it we tend to say things like, “That’s just the way we have always done it.” Why do we do the things we do in church? Do we do them because we have book, chapter and verse or because they have been passed down to us?

David had men in his army who were students of the times (1 Chronicles 12:32). Jesus rebuked the religious leaders because they were incapable of discerning the times (Matthew 16:3). What about us? Are we able to see the times in which we live and apply the gospel so that people are drawn to Jesus?

Take a few minutes and think about what we can do as individual disciples and as a church to better reach our world in our time.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

OpenShare your response to one of the following with the group:

• If you had to pick one year of your childhood to live over, which year would you choose and why?
• . If you could choose to live the title of one of the following books which one would it be and why?
  •  Unveiled (Francine Rivers)
  •  Be a People Person (John Maxwell)
  •  Fresh Power (Jim Cymbala)
  •  Servant Warfare (Steve Sjogren)
  •  Recovering Pharisee (John Fischer)

Study

Read Galatians 1.11-17 and discuss the following with the group:

• Why do you think Paul was so adamant about how he received the gospel?
• What do you think is significant about the message of Christ being revealed to Paul by Jesus himself?
• Why do you think Paul went to the desert place of Arabia? How is that similar to Israel’s exodus wanderings? What do you think they learned in the desert? What do you think Paul learned?
• Why do you think Paul did not consult anyone before he committed to following Christ?
• What do you think was Paul’s primary concern in jis relationship to God? How was he able to give up his traditions to follow Jesus?

Apply

• What does it mean for us when we know that we are reading a message that is a revelation from Jesus Christ?
• How did believing that the gospel message was from God impact your conversion process?
• How does the inspiration of the scriptures affect your daily walk with Jesus?
• For what do you think God has set you apart? How does this shape your daily walk? How much effort do you put into this goal?

Following the 1966-67 college basketball season, the NCAA outlawed the “slam dunk” for several years. Lou Alcindor (later Kareem Abdul Jabar) thought his college career was over as that was his “bread and butter” shot. Coach John Wooden told him to adapt and develop a new strategy and that he could go back to the dunk in the pro’s. To make a long story short, Jabar developed the “sky hook,” a shot which would be feared by collegiate and professional opponents.Have you noticed that sometimes the rules of life change? Life does not always go on a comfortable, predictable pattern. In fact, the most consistent thing about life is its inconsistency. So, when life throws us a curve, what do we do?

We have several options for life’s changes. First, we can quit the game. Second, we can pout about it. Third, we can go along halfheartedly. Fourth, we can adapt and thrive.

Don’t we thrill at the stories of people who turned their “lemon into lemonade”? Charles Kettering’s broken arm led to the starter for car engines. Frigid temperatures led to Jacob Schick’s invention of the electric razor. Martin Luther’s forced stay at a Wartburg castle led to the translation of the Bible into German. John Bunyon wrote Pilgrim’s Progress while in prison. The Son of God provided salvation by laying down his life for us.

As we review the circumstances of our lives, we need to realize that life is fluid. Changes are actually opportunities, not just interruptions. Let’s be creative with what “can be” and not bemoan “the way we were.”

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene