LEADERSHIP GUIDE - SEPTEMBER 2021

Jesus desires for oneness and unity amongst His disciples. When the church unites in sharing the Gospel, making disciples, and loving others, the hope of Christ is revealed to a world that desperately needs it.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Although we continue to experience difficult and polarizing times, the church is still called to shine our light brightly and reach the harvest that God has called us to. We can do this if our foundation and focus continue to be our oneness with God, with one another, and our witness of the Gospel to those around us who are not saved.

There are many people that have recently lost hope. Our Small Groups are the perfect place where they can experience the hope of the Gospel and the love of Christ through the faith of believers. Here is a reminder of why we have group:

  1. Small groups are the way our church is pastored. Each small group leader is covered by a staff pastor and each small group becomes our most immediate spiritual lifeline.

  2. Small groups are where we process biblical truth for practical life application. What we don't process we tend not to live out. Studies show that we retain only 10% of what is heard over the pulpit, but 70% of what we discuss in a group.

  3. Small groups are where we learn from one another. The synergy brings enlargement and broadens our understanding in a way like no other.

  4. Small groups are where we share love, care, and support while developing encouraging relationships. The bible teaches that we always grow together but we never grow alone.

  5. Small groups are where we experience regular prayer support for increased spiritual breakthrough and stronger spiritual protection. 

  6. Small groups are a safer, warmer setting to invite unchurched and formerly churched people to as an entry or re-entry point to faith. 

  7. Small groups can be a place to serve and a family with whom you can serve the church and community with. 

  8. Jesus did life in the context of a small group, and scripture encourages us to do the same. 75% of gospel accounts highlight Jesus changing the world one life at a time in smaller relational settings. 

  9. The early church met in the home and temple: smaller AND larger settings. It was BOTH/AND not either/or. (See Acts 2:42-47 for the specific impacts)

Our groups are imperative in the church’s mission to share the Gospel and make disciples. As leaders, we must guard the culture of our groups and keep our members focused on their growth in discipleship and evangelism to others. Even though members may want to go off on a tangent regarding current world events during group, we must remember the purpose of our group is to align our hearts with God’s ultimate purpose of people coming to know Jesus and growing in discipleship.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How has the culture recently been in your Small Group? Share why it’s been easy or difficult for your group to remain focused on discipleship in the midst of the season we’re experiencing.

  2. As the leader, how can you shepherd your members to remain focused on growing in their walk with God, sharing the Gospel with others, and making disciples?

Prayer Points:

  1. Pray that the body of Christ would remain unified and rise up to God’s calling to be a light of hope to the world.

  2. Pray that our Small Groups would remain focused on sharing the Gospel and make disciples.

  3. Pray by name those you are personally reaching out to.

  4. Pray that COVID-19 and the Delta Variant would be crushed once and for all and that those affected by this pandemic (health, finances, relationships, schooling, etc.) would experience breakthrough and come to know God.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Zoom Reimbursement
Due to the ongoing pandemic and with the uncertainties of people's schedules, we will continue to reimburse Zoom “Pro Package” subscriptions until further notice. This will enable you to keep hosting virtual Zoom meetings and not neglecting to meet as a small group.

Once you have received your Zoom Pro invoice for the month, kindly forward them directly to info@pearlside.org in a timely manner. Thank you, leaders, for continuing to shepherd your people well during this time.