John 13:34-35

1. John 13:34-35 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

2. America the Lonely Our Need for Small Groups

3. America the Lonely

4. America the Lonely 24.6% have 0 confidants (family or non-family) 19.6% have just one confidant 44% have either no confidants or just one confidant Number that has doubled since 1985

5. America the Lonely • 53.4% do not have confidants that are not family—majority rely upon family • 1985—80% had at least one confidant that was not family • Now 47% have at least one confidant that is not family • 1985 Americans averaged 3 close friends • 2006 Americans averaged 2 close friends

6. America the Lonely • 7/10 do not know their neighbors • 1985 19% had a neighbor they considered a confidant • 2006 8% had a neighbor they considered a confidant • 33% have never spent an evening with a neighbor • 1/3 experience frequent bouts of loneliness

7. America the Lonely

8. America the Lonely 63% 37% Survey asked which would give them more withdrawal: Being away from family for a week Being without their phone for a day

9. 1st Century Small Groups • Acts 2:42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he 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.

10. Small Group Format • Groups will gather to discuss the Sunday sermon • What difference will this sermon make in my life? • How will I change? • Fellowship • Prayer • Food • Group Limit

11. Strengths of Small Group • Allows the message to come alive • No longer just a lecture • What difference will this make in my life? • Group leaders do not have the pressure of generating their own discussion guide or study • All the groups have a similar study—helps bring unity to the church body • Don’t have information overload • Allows others to join the group easily • Invite our friends

12. Small Group Dynamics John 13:34-35 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

13. Our Spiritual Growth There is more to our Christian development than what can happen on Sunday morning and Wednesday midweek gatherings Small groups allow us to expand out of our comfort zone

14. How can we grow in small groups? John 13:34 (love one another) James 5:16 (confess to one another and pray for one another) Galatians 6:2 (Carry one another’s burdens)

15. How can we grow in small groups? • 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (Encourage one another) • Ephesians 5:21 (Submit to one another) • Colossians 3:16 (Admonish one another) • Hebrews 10:24 (Spur one another)