Small Groups in Good Shape

Reminders on what makes for a small group in good shape.

Why do small groups?

• ·      It is through the Bible that God speaks to us personally and powerfully so that we can know Him and his purposes for His people.
• ·      The small group provides a small-scale community that provides an opportunity where we engage with Gold in His Word and where each one sharpens another’s understanding through discussion.
• ·      Community: we do not only belong to God but also to one another. The small group gives opportunity to care for one another.

Here are some characteristics of a group in good shape.

SHARED INTENTIONALITY

• ·      We enjoy one another’s company – that’s for sure.  But there’s more to this than being a social event.
• ·      We want to grow in Christian discipleship.
• ·      We want to be helped in our understanding of God’s Word.
• ·      We want our thoughts, feelings, life-patterns to be molded and trained by what we learn.

SHARED TRUST

• ·      There’s an atmosphere of trust and respect.
• ·      Authentic honesty.
• ·      Where anyone can ask any question, offer a viewpoint without fear of being jumped upon.
• ·      Participation is encouraged with an appreciation for one another and graciousness towards one another even in disagreement.

SHARED COMMITMENT

• ·      A small group in good shape will be marked by a commitment to look out for one another and care for one another in Christian love.
• ·      A shared commitment to working together to understand and apply God’s Word, by the Spirit, and do it together in love.
• ·      A high level of participation and engagement is so good!

Live as Christ lived.

A peep into the life, Christ Jesus, my Lord lived:

1. Jesus protects the woman caught in adultery from the bullying, and self-righteous threats of the religious leaders,
2. Jesus does not condemn and write her off,
3. yet, at the same time, He also tells her to leave her life of sin.

A blast of cool water!

Some legal fun in New York City in 1967 and in 2013! I have a vague memory about something like this in a boarding school corridor, or was it school corridor? Maybe some of my school pals can remember?

You may want to follow this link to more vintage pictures.

The 37 "ONE ANOTHERS" of Christian relationships

Be devoted to one another (Rom. 12:10).

Give preference to one another (Rom. 12:10).

Be of the same mind toward one another (Rom. 12:16).

Accept one another by withholding judgment (Rom. 14:1).

Accept one another by showing deference (Rom. 14:1–5; 15:7).

Esteem [highly regard] one another in love (Rom. 14:5; Phil. 2:3).

Build up one another (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thes. 5:11).

Counsel one another (Rom. 15:14).

Serve one another by showing deference in matters of liberty (Gal. 5:13).

Bear one another’s sin burdens (Gal. 6:2).

Be gentle with one another (Eph. 4:2).

Be kind to one another so as to preserve unity (Eph. 4:32).

Speak truth to one another (Eph. 4:25; Col 3:9).

Submit to one another (Eph. 5:21).

Show compassion to one another (Col. 3:12).

Bear with the inherent sinfulness of one another (Col. 3:13).

Forgive one another (Col. 3:13).

Use Spirit-filled, Word-saturated music to teach and admonish one another (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19).

Comfort one another with the hope of Christ’s return (1 Thes. 4:18).

Encourage one another (1 Thes. 5:11).

Live in peace with one another (1 Thes. 5:13).

Seek good for one another (1 Thes. 5:15).

Encourage one another to forsake unbelief and hardness of heart (Heb. 3:13).

Stimulate one another to spiritual growth (Heb. 10:24).

Encourage one another by faithful participation in your local church (Heb. 10:25).

Confess sins to one another (James 5:16).

Pray for one another’s spiritual and physical healing (James 5:16).

Be long-suffering and patient toward one another (1 Peter 4:8; Eph. 4:2).

Be hospitable to one another without complaint (1 Peter 4:9).

Serve one another (1 Peter 4:10; Gal. 5:13).

Act in humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5).

Show holy affection to one another (1 Peter 5:14).

Participate in the holy walk with one another (1 John 1:7).

Refuse to become resentful toward one another (1 John 3:11–12).

Give sacrificially to meet one another’s needs (1 John 3:16–17).

Fight fear together by growing in love (1 John 4:18).

Walk in truth together (1 John 3:18; 2 John 1:5).

Edinburgh Fireworks Final to The Festival 2013

I stood with excited and expectant crowds in strong winds and swirling mists in Princes Street for a spectaculare Fireworks Show which lasted for 45 glorious minutes.  What a setting:  The Castle! So many view points in the old city.  The outdoor Scottish Chamber orchestra sparked off the final event with the "Dance of the Comedians." These photos belong to "Real Edinburgh". 

Imagine the sky above Bethlehem on the night of Christ's birth - ablaze with the Angels
announcing the arrival of Jesus, the Saviour!