The Church Gathering in Small Groups

The Church is the body of Christ on earth today.

 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 1 Cor.12:27

The Church is the totality of God’s presence on earth.

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Eph.1:22-23 

The Church is meant to manifest His presence and power.

An Old Testament Type

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. Eze. 37:1-10

• God sees the church as one body made up of individual members.

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 1 Cor. 12:12

• The body’s life source is the Spirit of God.

For by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.   1 Cor. 12:13-14

• Each member is unique, but nonetheless important.

And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 1 Cor. 12:21

• For the Body to function properly, each member must find their place and contribute their part.

…may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Eph. 4:15-16

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—Life forevermore. Ps 133

You truly join the Church when your heart and gifts connect.

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. Proverbs 18:16

Kinds of groups:

Ministry Groups: worship, youth, Jr. Youth, Meal Ministry

Age or Gender Groups: Men’s, Ladies, Young Adults, Youth, Jr. Youth

Study Groups: Bible, books, Alpha

Personal Development Groups: Parenting, marriage, financial freedom, relationships

Accountability Groups: personal, Sunday message

Outreach Interest Groups: Dog grooming fly-fishing & sharing Christ

Small Groups are a vital part of Church Life.