Sabbath School Summary
An Exciting Way to Get Involved
Memory Text: Matthew 9:37, 38
SABBATH: “Two are better than one”—“there is strength in numbers.” We are easily motivated to exercise when done together with many people than when alone. Similarly, in exercising our faith, we can do better if we are unified with others. Christ had His small group of disciples, Paul formed his small group, the Godhead is in a small group ministry, we need to have a small group ministry for witnessing.
SUNDAY: Small groups has its origin in the Godhead. The Father, Son, & Holy Spirit worked in unison to create our world & also in its redemption (Gen. 1:1, 2, 26; Heb. 1:1, 2; Eph. 3:8, 9; Rom. 1:18-20). In Christ’s resurrection & also in that of the saints, it is the work of the “small group” ministry of the Godhead (John 10:17, 18; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:15). They laid out the plan of salvation (FE, p. 186).
MONDAY: The counsel of Jethro reechoed the idea of small groups. 10 groups of people were to be led by a godly official (Exod. 18:21-25). This relieved burdens in the camp by allowing the leaders to cater for the immediate physical & spiritual needs of each group. Small groups in our days is also key to relieving burdens & for nurturing our faith. The ideal size is 6-12 people (Luke 6:12, 13; Matt. 10:1; Mark 3:13-15).
TUESDAY: The brain coordinates the movement of our limbs. Thus, the human body is made up of different members but they work best when organized into systems (nervous, skeletal, cardiovascular & so on; 1 Cor. 12:12-25). Individually we posses spiritual gifts, but it’s best manifested in collectively manner—small group. Small groups create the best setting for us to exercise our gifts (7T, p. 21, 22).
WEDNESDAY: A chain of events led to the rapid growth of the NT early church. The ministry of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, & also small groups. Paul knew the people (small group) he worked with by name. They united for outreach ministry (Acts 18:1-5 & 20:1-4). Their differing gifts complemented that of one another. Their homes were places of worship (Acts 16:11-15, 40; 12:11, 12).
THURSDAY: The church is on a missionary journey to save souls & small groups are the vehicle God uses. Here, other’s concerns are discussed & there is room to care for the spiritual growth of all. Non-believers would be comfortable in a small group meeting than in the large church as starters. The NT small groups prayed, studied, & fellowshipped together (Acts 4:31; 12:12; 20:17-19, 27-32; Matt. 9:37, 38).
FRIDAY: A stagnant & dying church in Europe had a dream to revitalize the church. By prayers & thoughts, the church pastor & board resorted to small groups ministry. Initially, 9 people caught the vision. They formed relationships in the community. Their homes soon became meeting grounds & was later extended to “launch prayer & hospitality ministries”. They had 40 members of which 17 got baptized.
Keywords
FE- Fundamentals of Christian Education
7T- Testimonies for the Church, Volume 7
_NT- New Testament _
Captions
SUNDAY- Small Groups—god’s Idea First
MONDAY- Small Groups In Scripture
TUESDAY- Organized For Service
WEDNESDAY- New Testament Small Groups
THURSDAY- Small Group Dynamics
Discussion Questions
📌 In class, discuss further the essential elements in each small group as outlined in Thursday’s study. In what other kinds of activities could a small group be involved? What are ways in which a small group could help those with special gifts really be able to use those gifts as never before?
📌 Why is it so important that small groups keep an outward, mission focus? That is, however much a group can help nourish and support its members, why must it always keep central to its purpose the spreading of the gospel? Why, too, should a small group always keep connected with the local church body? Why is that so important?
📌 Have you ever been a part of or heard of small groups that did not function effectively and eventually died out? Discuss the reasons why you think this might happen.
📌 Think about the story above, about what happened in Europe with the small group ministry. Why do you think it worked so well? What did they do that was, in many ways, so simple and, yet, so effective? Why, too, might working from the “safer” environment of homes, as opposed to a church building, be an effective way of beginning an outreach to the neighborhood or community?
For August 29-September 4. Happy Sabbath.