Ministry CommunitySeptember 20, 2012

Making Disciples in All Spheres of

Life

A question. . .

• How can we think about our life and our groups so that we are faithfully making and building disciples?

• 1 John 2:6 “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

1 John 2:3-6

• “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

1 John 2:3-6

• “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

Walk in the Way He Walked. . .

• . . .a love for His people• . . .a love for the lost• . . .a desire to restore• . . .a gospel-saturated life

More than a meeting. . .

• The temptation- to put all of our discipleship goals into our one group meeting.

More than a meeting. . .

• We ultimately want biblical community, not two-hour a week gatherings.

Biblical Community

• Deeply connected (Acts 2:42)• Worshipful (Acts 2:43)• Sacrificial (Acts 2:44-45)• Ongoing (Acts 2:46-47a)• Growing/Missional (Acts 2:47b)

1 John 2:3-6

• “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”

Building Disciples in all Spaces and Places

• Intimate Space• Personal Space• Third Place• Public Place

Building Disciples in all Spaces and Places

• Intimate Space• Personal Space• Third Place• Public Place

Building Disciples in all Spaces and Places

• Intimate Space• Personal Space• Third Place• Public Place

Building Disciples in all Spaces and Places

• Intimate Space• Personal Space• Third Place• Public Place

Building Disciples in all Spaces and Places

• Intimate Space• Personal Space• Third Place• Public Place

Thinking Through Life Intentionally

Intimate Space Personal Space Third Place Public Space

Includes Small, Same Gender

Community Group

The place you target Everything else

GoalCharacter, confession,

accountability

Fellowship, multiplication,

growth

Intentional engagement and inclusion

of the lost

To be a faithful to keep His

commands in every sphere.

If neglectedWalk in sin and lose intimacy

with JesusShort-circuit

disciple-making

Your group becomes

internal and plateaus

Church loses credibility and

witness

Questions. . .

• What is your group’s third place? • Who knows you well enough that they can ask

you anything and expect an honest reply?• Who has access to you at every level of life?• How can we spur each other on to love and

good deeds when we aren’t around each other?