PHILOSOPHY OF THE SMALL GROUP MINISTRY A. The biblical basis of the a small group ministry 1. Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 2. Acts 5:42 (ESV) “And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” 3. Acts 20:20-21 (ESV) “…how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 4. Romans 16:3-5 and 1 Corinthians 16:19 (ESV) “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus… Greet also the church in their house.” 5. Romans 16:15 (ESV) “Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.” 6. Ephesians 4:16 (ESV) “from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” 7. Colossians 4:15 (ESV) “Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.” 7. Philemon 1:1-2 (ESV) "Greeting Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker … and the church in your house”

В. General Overview of the Home Groups 1. Home groups were created to provide pastoral care to all church members. 2. The main function of the home groups is discipleship, with each member serving to build up the church as a whole. 3. All members of the church are encouraged to be part of a home group 4. The leaders of each home group have been approved and chosen for this ministry by the pastors of the church. 5. All leaders and their groups are accountable to the pastors of the church in all areas of this ministry.

С. Goals and objectives of the home groups 1. Home groups are not: a. A talk show b. A club for like-minded friends c. A social gathering d. A group for friends to share their misfortunes e. A place where each person can vent their frustrations f. A place to spend time g. A group for people with similar interests (politics, fishing, work, hobbies, etc…) h. A group for “just talking” or “just singing” i. A place to gather and drink tea j. A group to discuss various topics of concern

2. Why do home groups exist? a. To worship and glorify God b. To pray for the needs of the members and the church c. To discuss practical applications of the Sunday sermon in the personal lives of each member d. To provide further study of the Scriptures e. To serve other church members with the gift that one has received (1 Peter 4:10), with the purpose of edifying each member in faith. f. To provide accountability among church members g. For individual discipleship h. For evangelism, i.e. leading unbelievers to Christ

D. General principles 1. Studying the Bible and the gospel should be the unifying element of the group and the center of group life. 2. The pastoral work is carried out directly by group leaders 3. The relationships between members of the group should be derived from mutual Christian dependence, as displayed in Scripture 4. Each ministry is to be carried out according to the principles of "one another" in the New Testament (list attached), and in an atmosphere of humility and love 5. Each member should work toward the common good of the group and toward the building up of the church

Е. Qualities necessary for home group leaders (1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9) 1. A Christian character (also Galatians 5: 22-23) a. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, (Titus 1:7 ESV) b. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. (1 Timothy 3:2-3 ESV)

2. Christian behavior a. In the family, between wife and children (1 Tim 3: 2, 4; Titus 1: 6) b. In the church: between other church members (1 Timothy 3: 5) c. In society

3. Christian maturity a. In applying the principles of Scripture b. In priorities c. In resolving issues d. In the management of time, finances, resources

F. Requirements for home group leaders 1. A commitment to Scripture and sound doctrine 2. Dedication to the church 3. Agreement with the vision and philosophy of the church as well as with the home groups 4. A pastoral heart a. Prayer and intercession for the people in the group b. Building relationships with people based on Scripture c. The ability to work with people d. The desire to help others grow spiritually 5. Personal monthly meetings with the pastors of the Church 6. Participation in weekly leadership meetings: a. To pray for home groups and other churches b. To explore new scriptures and materials c. To evaluate the performance and function of each group d. To discuss leadership methods and their effectiveness 7. Preparation and clear explanation of the text