WHY Small Groups? “The Divine Community”

Posted by joe Schlosser on
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
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Jesus’ Prayer for Our Unity in Him.

20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. 22 I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one: 23 I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” (John 17:20-23)

One writer had this to say about God’s heart for us:

“One of God’s biggest dreams for us is authentic community.” (Bill Willits, Creating Community: 5 Keys to Building a Small Group Culture; page 40)

That also seems to be at the heart of Jesus’ prayer for His followers the very night He was about to betrayed,… then beaten, whipped and crucified. You can tell what is most important to someone in those times when they are facing their mortality.

And, even though Jesus trusted and rested in the promise of His resurrection by the Father’s Hand, the reality of what He was about to face in His “stations of the cross” loomed large in front of Him. So did His heart and desire for His followers to remain “one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You.”

And think of what the world might believe about Jesus as God’s “Only Begotten Son” if they witnessed our unity with Jesus in the same way Jesus was united with God, the Father.

WHY small groups?

Because it can be a place where meaningful relationships can both given and received.

Because it was Jesus’ dying wish for His followers… for you and me… for us and the resurrected Him.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Denny Finnegan
Associate Pastor, CPC

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“How Should I Pray?”

Posted by joe Schlosser on
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
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Matthew 6:11
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

This month we look at God’s delight in being “our Forgiver”.

The word “forgive” has some interesting alternative meanings in the Greek. It can also translate as, “cancel, remit, let go of, leave behind, and divorce.”

The last possible definition of “forgive”, that is “divorce”, can reveal an effect of sin we may not always realize. “Sin”, ours and that of those who have “sinned against us”, can “wed” or “marry” itself to us. That may be why we find certain “sins” or “sins against us” so difficult to forgive; so difficult to find “release” from our heart, mind, soul or strength.

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“Why Pray?” Because I Am United with Jesus in Spirit!

Posted by joe Schlosser on
Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011
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[17] But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 6:17

Richard Foster, in his book, Celebration of Discipline, speaks about both worship and prayer being a communication and relationship of “Spirit-to-spirit”.  That is, God’s Holy Spirit in communion with our spirit as our primary call and purpose in both worship and prayer.

That’s what the Apostle Paul is describing to us in this verse.  In fact the Greek word used for “joins” is also used to describe what happens to a man and woman when they marry and consummate their relationship “in intimacy”.  As Jesus says in Matthew 19:5, “’FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH’?”  Jesus is quoting from Genesis 2:24 to talk about the purpose and results of the marriage covenant.

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WHY Small Groups?

Posted by joe Schlosser on
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
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[35] Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” [37] The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. [38] And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” [39] He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. [40] One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. (John 1:35-40)

In this article, I hope to offer you different encouragements on WHY being a part of a small group is actually a good thing for your relationship with God, your relationship with other brothers and sisters in Christ, and in our relationship with the world around us for the Kingdom of God.

I’d like to begin with Jesus and His view on “Small Groups”. It is found in the word “Rabbi”, which, in Greek is often translated as “teacher.”

But the Greek view on being a teacher is WAY different than the Jewish view. The Greek view focuses primarily on “information”, while the Jewish view of teaching focuses on “relationship”. And the first 2 people Jesus called into a “teaching relationship” with Him were invited to a small group experience with Jesus.

A pastor friend of mine very well acquainted with Jewish customs was able to calculate the day of the week in John 1:35-40 from the Wedding feast Jesus attended in John 2:1. This encounter with Jesus happened on the eve of the Sabbath. So when Jesus invited them to “Come and you will see” was actually an invitation to spend the whole Sabbath with Jesus, including all the meal preparations and such.

Jesus did not invite them to a “class” on “Jesus as Messiah”. Jesus invited them into relationship with Him as their personal Messiah.

Reflection: If Jesus thought relationship was the best way to grow in discipleship, then I would encourage you to consider finding a small group of people with whom you could share relationship with in Jesus Christ.

Relationship is where discipleship begins. What do you think about this? Please leave your thoughts in the comment area below.

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Touching the Heart of God in Prayer

Posted by joe Schlosser on
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
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There are many things I have been learning about prayer through the years. In particular, that God “likes” to hear me pray, because He wants to spend time with me, and me with Him.

Furthermore, there are ways I can pray that “touch His heart”. Here are 2 suggestions I would give you that I often use that I believe touch God’s heart when I pray. They are questions I ask the Lord when I pray:

      “Lord Jesus, what is on Your heart that you long for me to become?”
      “Lord Jesus, what is on Your heart that You long for me to do for You?

After I ask Jesus these 2 questions, I wait and listen expectantly believing that He actually wants me to know what is on His heart for me.

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“The Family” – God’s Primary Small Group

Posted by joe Schlosser on
Wednesday, January 26th, 2011
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[12] “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12, NIV)

[1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] “Honor your father and mother”– which is the first commandment with a promise– [3] “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” [4] Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4, NIV)

Have you ever wondered “why” the 10 Commandments are in the order that they are? I have!

In fact, the 5th Commandment – “Honor your father and your mother – seems rather strange to me. You have the 1st four commandments on Honoring and Loving God before it, and 5 commandments after it about Honoring and Loving our Neighbors. Yet this seems to be the only commandment about Loving and Honoring our Family. Parents seem to be the “bridge” between “Loving and Honoring God” and “Loving and Honoring Our Neighbor”.

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“How Should I Pray?”

Posted by joe Schlosser on
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010
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Matthew 6:10

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

There are many times we may know WHY we should pray, or for WHAT to pray, but then we are left with, “But HOW should I pray?”

I would like to offer to you one Bible verse I often use that I have found help when I struggle with the “HOW”.

“Your kingdom come”: I might pray something like, “Lord, I know that You desire to be King over every place and every one. When You are King, we can enjoy the blessings of both Your rule and Your active Presence. Please establish Your Presence and Kingship for ______________.”

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”: I might pray something like, “Lord, I believe that Your Will for us on earth is meant to be wonderful, just like Your Will is wonderful and awesome in heaven. Please show me know some of the loving and wonderful things You wish to do now for ____________.”

I hope this might encourage you to feel more in confident in “HOW” you pray.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Pastor Denny

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“Why Pray?”

Posted by joe Schlosser on
Tuesday, December 7th, 2010
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Because I am God’s Child!

12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God– 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:12-13

Very often, one of the main reasons we don’t pray, is because we don’t believe that what we pray makes very little different; or that we make very little difference to God!

We may even think, “Why would God want to hear from someone like me?”

Our thought for today on “Why Pray?” is simply this – Because YOU are God’s child! And God so deeply delights to hear from ALL of His children.

Please pray, because YOU give God joy just to hear your voice; and because God attentively listens to ALL of His children.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Pastor Denny

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Touching the Heart of God in Prayer

Posted by joe Schlosser on
Friday, November 12th, 2010
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There are many things I have been learning about prayer through the years. In particular, that God “likes” to hear me pray, because He wants to spend time with me, and me with Him.

Furthermore, there are ways I can pray that “touch His heart”. Here are 2 suggestions I would give you that I often use that I believe touch God’s heart when I pray. They are questions I ask the Lord when I pray:

“Lord Jesus, what is on Your heart that you long for me to become?”
“Lord Jesus, what is on Your heart that You long for me to do for You?

After I ask Jesus these 2 questions, I wait and listen expectantly believing that He actually wants me to know what is on His heart for me.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Denny Finnegan
Associate Pastor, CPC

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WHY Small Groups?

Posted by joe Schlosser on
Friday, November 12th, 2010
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35 Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” 39 He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. (John 1:35-40)

In this part of the article, I hope to offer you different encouragements on WHY being a part of a small group is actually a good thing for your relationship with God, your relationship with other brothers and sisters in Christ, and in our relationship with the world around us for the Kingdom of God.

In this article, I’d like to begin with Jesus and His view on “Small Groups”. It is found in the word “Rabbi”, which, in Greek is often translated as “teacher.”

But the Greek view on being a teacher is WAY different than the Jewish view. The Greek view focuses primarily on “information”, while the Jewish view of teaching focuses on “relationship”. And the first 2 people Jesus called into a “teaching relationship” with Him were invited to a small group experience with Jesus.

A pastor friend of mine very well acquainted with Jewish customs was able to calculate the day of the week in John 1:35-40 from the Wedding feast Jesus attended in John 2:1. This encounter with Jesus happened on the eve of the Sabbath. So when Jesus invited them to “Come and you will see” was actually an invitation to spend the whole Sabbath with Jesus, including all the meal preparations and such.

Jesus did not invite them to a “class” on “Jesus as Messiah”. Jesus invited them into relationship with Him as their personal Messiah.

Reflection: If Jesus thought relationship was the best way to grow in discipleship, then I would encourage you to consider finding a small group of people with whom you could share relationship with in Jesus Christ.

Relationship is where discipleship begins.

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What some are saying …

Hi Denny:

I very much appreciated your column in the recent CPC newsletter; it gave me a new perspective on prayer. It made me realize that whenever we pray sincerely, Jesus is there with us, joining us in our prayer to God. In fact, maybe the reason the Lord’s prayer begins with “Our Father…” is that whenever we pray it, we are not praying alone, but rather that Jesus is there with us joining us in that prayer to God – so it’s only appropriate that, when we begin that prayer, we (Jesus and me) say “Our” - since there are two together praying to God.

Also, when we conclude our prayers by asking that God hear our prayer “In Jesus’ name…”, Jesus is there with us before God to verify that He agrees with our request and it is His too.

Thanks, Denny…

John

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