My Best Church Life Week 2: Group Message Summary: Every Christian living their best church life has a strong church community. But the bigger a church gets, the more intentional that smaller community must become. In order to avoid being an anonymous member who slips through the cracks at a larger church, God calls us to connect with a smaller group of others who carry out the “one anothers” of the Scriptures. As many of us have experienced, a small group can bless us with our biggest church blessings. ✦ Exodus 18:14, 17-18 — When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”… 17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. ✦ Exodus 18:21, 23 — But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens….23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” ✦ Your best church life requires life in the tens ❖ Acts 2:42, 45-47 — They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer….45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. ❖ …for firm faith, ❖ …for fantastic friendships, ❖ …to save more souls. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — List several blessings of large group worship. GROUP — List several blessings of small group fellowship. Then compare and contrast your two lists. GROW — List additional blessings of solo time in the Word and prayer not included in your two lists above. GIVE — Talk over with a friend or family member why this statement is false: “I have limited resources, so my acts of giving and volunteering don’t have a significant impact.” GO — Our excellent worship attracts guests. Brainstorm with a friend how small groups are also a great way to connect people to Jesus. Homework: Psalm 1 (