Worship 4 Close In---Small Groups

[HKHaugan]

Worship 4 Close In---Small Groups

When you get a chance to express yourself in a non-institutional way, let your hair down, be yourself and have that sense of trust that no matter what you say you'll be accepted, that is what a small group is all about. You have a group of people who let you be who you are, where you can open your heart with the issues and problems that beset your life so that give and take, challenge and correction (not criticism) love and caring make up the atmosphere, now you have a small group that worships. It's the faith practiced close in.

How you get to that point is built on Scripture and prayer. The study of Scripture, reaction to it, sharing of one's life in its context and then open prayer for each other right where they are. That is a spiritual group that copies what first century Christians experienced. That is exactly what Luke records in his accounts of the Apostle's growing fellowships, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common (Acts 2:42-44).”

Note how it starts with devotion. They were devoted to Jesus. Devotion is a heart word. It means to make something, therefore Him, the first priority for the heart. Devotion is worship. It involves the whole person. It's worship for the mind, heart and spirit. Think of the verses that say, “Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also (Mt.6:20-21).” The believers in those early fellowships gave their hearts to four prioritized practices, apostolic teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer as Luke recorded.

First, apostolic teaching.

Devotion to Scripture was a shared practice. To think spiritually was thinking the way Jesus thought. It was the Apostles (Gk. apostellein-to send) that the Lord commissioned to receive the fullness of His Word in the Spirit (Acts 1:4-8). It was really seen when He admonished the Pharisees in their attempt to trip Him up about the nature of marriage, “You are in error because you don't know the Scriptures or the power of God (Mt.22:29).” Jesus lived the Scripture. He was the Scripture alive. As John said, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning (John 1:1-2).”

Second, fellowship.

Devotion to one another was as important as their learning. What they learned they shared so that they could be of one mind in belief, one heart in whom they trusted and one faith for their spirit's motivation to action (1Cor.1:10). Luke further describes the nature of the fellowship they had:
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 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, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:44-47).”

Third, the breaking of bread (note the emphasis on 'breaking').

They were devoted to sharing the Lord's Supper. They broke bread (the symbol of His Body broken on the Cross) and wine (the symbol of His blood shed on the Cross) to keep the sacrifice of Jesus central in their hearts (Lk.22:14-20). In the passage following (vs.25-32), Jesus emphasizes service as the life they are to live, a kingdom life He is conferring on them in the context of the sacrifice He is going to be the very next day. The Lord's Supper is just that, His Supper, the special Supper that says it all and why He calls for its frequent practice (1Cor.11:25). But in it Jesus gave us a daily way to worship Him in the midst of others, a fourfold service action---take, thank, break and give. Take all that you are, give thanks for His gift of you, turn all of yourself over for the Lord's use and give the pieces of yourself away as the need presents itself. That is acting out the worship of the mind, heart and spirit as you go. This is worship of God for the image of God in each of us.

Fourth, prayer.
They were devoted to personal as well as shared prayer. It takes a heart that trusts the God they can't see to pray with those they can see. They build heart to heart trust and heart to heart experience because they can share the results of the work God does in and through prayer. So they prayed as individuals and they prayed together (Mt.6:5-15, cf.Jn.17).

Now we can see from the early experience of 1st Century believers what worship meant to them. It was not the institutional structure that has overtaken the modern believer. Worship absorbed every moment of their lives. It was the consciousness of the risen Lord in all they did. It was the small group, the house group, groups that met conscientiously wherever that 'grew in wisdom and stature God and man' the way Jesus did. It was the same format.

This raises the question of congregational worship. What is it supposed to look like given what Scripture has revealed to us so far? That's next.

[HKHaugan]

In case you wondered why there was repetition in the second point on fellowship it was my mistake in editing.  I was trying to get a picture in and the repeat occurred there.  I'm still learning about computers.  Please forgive the lapse.  Love you all. ><>W

[HKHaugan]

What a great sharing.  You all are doing exactly what the Lord has called a small group to begin.  Every group of course will be different and their ministries will be as well.  It's just simply getting started and letting the Spirit take you to the next level.  Praise the Lord.  ><>W

[Karen Rauch]

Small groups is an important part of being in the body of Christ. The group we were in with the Dougherty's, Walker's, Mary, Kim, Bob and Liz Mcgarvey,, etc. was so close and welcoming. We were able to share completing at ease without fear of gossip outside our small group. We studied the Word, we prayed , we intercessed for others, we enjoyed each other's company and friendship. We as a group would get together at CHRISTMAS time and ring the bell for Salvation Army at Pubix. We sang, played our guitars and flute and had a great time together. We often partied together with great food to share. We watched scriptural videos, read important literary Christian books and discussed them, and studied the Word. A wonderful Christian experience we won't forget!

Now that we are in the mountains of Georgia we still share the joy and camaraderie of small groups . We have a group that gives a service and communion each week at two local nursing homes. We so enjoy sharing our love of Jesus with these residents. After service, we share lunch together at a local restaurant and enjoy sharing and praying.

Since we don't have any family living close to us, these groups have been our family and we look forward to small groups for the rest of our lives here on Earth. I believe they prepare us for our time eternal when we will be sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning and praising and singing and worshipping!