Seeker Small Group

Mark Ashton

In our culture today, people are seemingly becoming less interested in Christianity, seen through the declining numbers of church growth in America. Seeker small groups, however, target the meeting and discussion around people who are not believers in Christ. A group like this would have a majority of non-Christians with a Christian discussion leader and be a relatively small cluster of people. This provides a safe environment for spiritual discussion and is thus an effective method of evangelism. This can be especially effective for people who may not be close to believing in God yet. We discuss 10 "laws" of seeker small groups, why they are effective, and how to run them.

Leading Evangelism

Doug Patch

Colossians 1:28

God's heart and plan to reach the lost is through the church. While God is the one who ultimately causes the growth, we each have a role to play as well. Effective evangelism in a home church setting is driven largely through discipleship relationships between committed workers, bringing the power of the Word and teaching people that exchanging their agenda for their lives for God's agenda is ultimately fulfilling. For a home church to effectively reach the lost, a substantial number of members have to own God's plan for evangelism and reorder their lives according to His value system.

Feeding the Multitude

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 28:18-20

The feeding of the five thousand is a picture of how God calls us to meet people's needs. He has what people need that will satisfy and we are called to share that with them. As we are used by God to meet people's needs we have the privilege to see lives changed, experience deep significance, and we become spiritually satisfied.

The Woman at the Well

Dennis McCallum

John 4:1-42

Jesus interacts with a Samaritan woman who was drawing water from a well. He reveals who he is by telling her things about her life. He claims he can give her living water. When she realizes he is the Messiah, she is so excited that she stops what she is doing and runs to town to tell people. Jesus offers salvation to all people, even those who think they are the worst sinners.\r\n

New Creatures in Christ

Gary DeLashmutt

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

There are many ramifications of our new identity in Christ. As a new creation, we have new aspirations to live for God instead of ourselves. In addition, we can adopt God's view of success, seen through a lifestyle of sacrificial service toward others and character transformation. Lastly, we are now seen as Christ's ambassadors, with a unique role and responsibility to tell others about Christ's love for them and how to know God personally.

Parables of the Kingdom

Dennis McCallum

Matthew 13

What will the Kingdom of God be like? How will God's message be spread? The answer is surprising. The Messiah came first not as a conquering king as expected, but as a humble servant. His message is spread not as a political power play, but through grass movements, gradual and quiet.

Three Lessons in Narrative

Dennis McCallum

Luke 9

Jesus taught that those who are like children would be the greatest in the Kingdom. Christians who substitute ambition and ego for humility and serving others emulate the attitudes of children in God's Kingdom. Jesus taught the principle of cooperation while allowing for disagreement on non-essential doctrine among believers in Christ. Jesus also rejected the ideas of racism and hate, instead affirming love for all people that reflects the love of God. Humility, cooperation, and love are key principles for effective Christian ministry.

The Disciples Learn About God's Power

Dennis McCallum

Luke 9

Jesus' sending of the twelve shows that God's work will be done God's way. Jesus' method was to send his disciples to seek those who were spiritually responsive to his message, as God empowered their work. Their service depicts Christian ministry, a unique opportunity for Christians to see God work in their lives as they look to meet the needs of others. The feeding of the 5,000 shows that Jesus' method was using people who were available and willing to serve others, leading to real satisfaction.

Reaching Rejects: Matthew's Party

Dennis McCallum

Luke 5

Jesus' healing of a paralytic and a man with leprosy demonstrates his radical concern for the outcast within society. He goes a step further by commissioning Levi, a tax collector, to follow him. Tax collectors were despised within society, but Jesus had compassion and sought those who were rejected to be his followers instead of those who didn't think they needed help. Jesus' love for sinners and those who are helpless demonstrated God's radical love to those who are undeserving.