CrossRoads Groups
to enable everyone at CrossRoads to experience CHRIST in community
Biblical Community
Community is a theme that runs throughout Scripture. God has always been calling out a people for Himself, beginning with Isreal and continuing with the the church. Even when the Jews were dispersed among enemy nations during times of captivity, they organized themselves into groups and ultimately formed synagogues (Jewish communities of worship and teaching), where they could serve one another and carry out their beliefs. It was natural, therefore, for Jesus to develop a community of followers and for Paul, Peter, and other church planters to start new communities wherever they went as they proclaimed the Gospel. These new communities began as small groups, just as Jesus had modeled with the twelve disciples.
Small groups were an integral part of the early church structure. They were small enough to allow individual members to minister to one another, use their spiritual gifts, and be discipled in the teachings of Christ. In addition, they were vibrant and life giving communities where evangelism could take place as unchurched people watched a loving and compassionate community in action. Small groups not only built up the church but were vehicles for reaching a lost world for Christ.
Small groups:
are a place of mutual ministry among members. Each member uses spiritual gifts to serve other members in the body. Mutual ministry is a trademark of a Christ-following community or small group.
gather together to provide fellowship and mutual support so that the church can have an impact in society. They encourage and build up one another so that the body of Christ can be cared for and the world can be influenced through their good deeds.
exist to teach truth and develop future leaders who can shepherd others and disciple them in the faith. For this purpose, each leader has an apprentice he or she is developping toward greater responsiblilty and leadership.
Leading Life-Changing Small Groups Bill Donahue
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