Preaching Alone Won't Do It: Three Steps to Empower Life Groups

Robby Gallaty writes, "preaching from the pulpit is like walking into the nursery and spraying the babies with milk,"[1] Before getting upset, hold on. God uses preaching to fulfill His purposes. We can trust that "if preached faithfully and fervently, the Word will accomplish God's objectives."[2] We don't need more than Scripture but we do need organization to live out Scripture effectively. Trinity's Life Groups and D-groups are essential to make disciples. Life Groups should grow numerically and spiritually. They are open groups that accomplish this by studying, fellowship, serving, evangelizing, and assimilating new members. D-groups are closed groups for accountability to practice the Christian disciplines. Both have an essential role. Next are three steps to help lay a foundation to empower small groups to move forward effectively.

Step one, understand the mission is to make disciples. Most think life groups are for fellowship. Fellowship is vital. Yet, it is not our sole purpose. Jesus said, "make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20, Christian Standard Bible). Jesus was clear, "you will be my witnesses (Acts 1:8). Understanding the Great Commission empowers Life Groups to know what they are about and to fulfill God's purpose through them.

Step two, realize the potential power. The essential need for prayer to carry out the Great Commission is one area most Christians agree. Yet, few people attend prayer meetings. Jesus commanded and taught us to pray. The book of Acts reveals that the early church prayed more than anything else. May I suggest we already have automatic, built-in prayer groups formed without beginning anything new? What if existing Life Groups and D-groups were determined to meet at certain times to pray for the church's spiritual health and the unsaved in our families and community? There will be a mighty outpouring of God's Holy Spirit. How exciting are Jesus' words, "how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" (Luke 11:13)?

Step three, understand the potential effectiveness. Healthy small groups effectively equip members and help them assimilate into the body. When a Life Group reaches someone for Christ, they automatically incorporate them into the body. They also have an automatic Bible study group. It is easy for people to fall through the cracks when they only attend worship. Trinity learned this valuable less through the COVID epidemic. We lost at least 90 percent of attendees not involved in a small group when COVID hit. Healthy Life Groups are a great place to assimilate members and to study and apply God's Word.

Imagine going to war, everyone knowing the objective without organization and training. No matter how committed to the cause, chaos would ensue. Life Groups and D-groups, I hope you realize how important you are in fulfilling the Great Commission. I hope you are encouraged to know just how important you are for our church to plan, organize and equip to carry out the purpose of God for His church. Paul emphasized, "God is not a God of disorder but peace" (1 Corinthians 14:33). Small groups are instruments to keep order as we work together.

[1] Robby Gallaty, Growing up: How to be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples.(Bloomington, Indiana: Crossbooks, 2013), 64. [2] Ed Stezer and Mike Dodson, Comeback Churches : How 300 Churches Turned Around and Yours Can, Too,( B&H Publishing Group, 2007), 84. ProQuest Ebook Central, Created from Liberty on 2021-09-10 20:08:13.