Resurrection Families for Hope and Meaning
Small Groups that foster spiritual hope and meaning are easy!
The Heart of the Wesleyan Spiritual Renewal Movement
Biblical small groups living the Gospel.
As Wesley studied the book of Acts, he saw the spreading of the faith happening in the gathering of believers in small groups, usually in their homes.
These new spiritual "families of faith" produced hope filled transformed lives surrounded by a Godly support structure that kept them close to God in contemplative prayer and growing in their faith.
Wesley's development of small groups revolutionized 18th-century England and then the whole Christian world by providing a framework to help people grow in a true 'holiness of heart and life.' eekers could receive support, accountability, and encouragement. One that they could honestly invite others to share as well.
Wesley's development of small groups revolutionized 18th-century England and then the whole Christian world by providing a framework to help people grow into a true 'holiness of heart and life.'
From Wesley's point of view, these small groups were especially important considering the temptation of our culture to become distracted and "fall away" into all the social ills and destructive habits that christians are exposed to.
Six Steps to a lasting Accountable Small Group Ministry
1. Start with God's Realm on Earth, a commonwealth of God's grace.
This is the heart of the Gospel, the "Good News" of hope and meaning that Christ announced in Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4:16-21, Matthew 4:17, and John 1:1-18.
God's presence, Emmanuel - "God with us", has not retreated to a distant place, but now dwells with us, "tabernacling" (tenting) in our midst, helping us be more present to God's presence, more spiritual and filled with hope for a future full of love, joy, hope, meaning and contentment.
The Resurrection is evidence of God's immense grace and mercy in this extraordinary, unconditional act of love.
2. Consider in Prayer what it means to be a "Citizen of Heaven"
An important realization is that in the Christ*, we begin to experience a heavenly, holy life of contemplative prayer, and the gifts of the spirit, along with forgiveness, healing, peace, justice, and a heavenly presence, even here on earth.
It's everything we pray for when we say: "Your Kingdom/Real/Commonweath come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."
God has created a beautiful, spiritual world that, while it may not be the "full" heaven to come, is nonetheless one filled with creation, hope, eternal meaning, unconditional love, and profound grace... despite our best efforts to turn away and live a self-centered life.
It is in the Sacraments (Baptism/ Eucharist/ Scripture/ Prayer) that our church affirms this gift of "citizenship in heaven" (Phil 2:30) with the presence of God, Jesus the Christ*, and the Holy Spirit, and provides the seedbed that encourages our "holy growth" into perfection. (sanctification.)
So we can say that we get to live on the "Porch of Heaven", a liminal space that is both heavenly and yet also earthly, as we work together with God's will and also anticipate the promised fullness of Heaven and Earth together.
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*NOTE: "The" is used with "Christ" in recognition that Christ is not a name, but a title. It's Greek for the Hebrew word Messiah, mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ)... "Anointed One". The one who brings God's realm into our lives and the life of the world. Reclaiming all that "Messiah/Christ" means is "good news" for our shattered and searching world of today,
3. Listen for the passion and/or concern God puts on your heart.
3. Listen for the passion and/or concern God puts on your heart.
Sit quietly before God.
Dedicate enough time to let the cares and concerns of the world be set aside,
and let God dwell in your heart more and more.
Let your focus be entirely on the Love of God in Jesus the Christ*.
Engage in some "centering," "contemplative'' prayer where you lay aside all the distractions of the world and let the spiritual presence of God dwell in your heart more deeply than ever before.
Then ask.....
What are the deep questions, ponderings, and concerns that weigh deeply on your heart?
Are they part of God speaking to you, opening your eyes, urging you to address some pain, some challenge, some hope in your life?
4. Gather others who share that passion and/or concern
3. Listen for the passion and/or concern God puts on your heart.
Look around for others who share your passions and concerns.
God has been working in their hearts to prepare them for this time, just as God has been working in yours.
What do you need to help find them?
What considerations, assumptions, and frameworks can be helpful to you and these new/old friends that help the formation of a small group (3 to 12) persons?
5. Pray together for God's insight and wisdom into that passion/concern.
As part of laying the foundation for a great small group, sit in silence with others as you pray together.
Listen for the Holy Spirit to guide and help you explore appropriate scriptures together.
Listen together for how God is directing all of you in this time together.
Spend enough time together so that everyone can be "heard and understood" as you discern God's will for you and each other.
6. Take action to initiate a Small Group (3-12 persons) that incorporates that passion/concern.
Study carefully what it means to be a small group.
What are the "hospitality" needs?
Who might provide the content?,
How do you connect with others also starting such small groups?
What one step of outreach, mission, caring for others outside your group might you agree upon?
Are others interested in having various small groups around your congregation?
Let the church be a resource to share the power of deep yet outreaching groups that start with the eternal question: "How goes it with your Soul?"
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