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Just a Reminder

Here are some passages to check out which spell out the Biblical reasons we do small groups at Calvary.

Creation:

Genesis 1:27 – Created in the IMAGE of God.
(he created “him”) + (he created “them”) = UNITY with DIVERSITY
Father + Son + Spirit = UNITY with Diversity (Gen. 1:2,3;Col. 1:16; Mark 1:10-11;John 15:26)

Genesis 2:24-25 – Created to be ONE with others.
(“naked”) + (“not ashamed”) = IDEAL INTIMACY
Father + Son + Spirit = IDEAL INTIMACY (John 17:21)

The Fall:

Genesis 3:5-6 – The elevation of SELF.
Eve was motivated by what was attractive to her, and what would be good for her
The love of Self is the way of the world (1 John 2:16)

Genesis 3:8-12 – Relational DYSFUNCTION caused by sin
Lost relationship with God
Lost relationship with one another
NOT THE END OF THE STORY! (Gen. 3:15)

Re-Creation:

John 1:1 – In the BEGINNING... again
A new kind of creation narrative (2 Cor. 5:17)
Man's role in the first creation: Fill and subdue the earth (Gen. 1:28)
Man's role in the new creation: Fill the earth with disciples (Matt. 28:19)
HOW?

John 1:14,18 – Restoring the Image of God
Because of our sin, we lost the ability to see/know God (v.18)
Jesus was God become man (like God walking in the garden)
Jesus makes God known to us
Our identity as “image-bearers” is tied to our ability to accomplish our commission!
If we desire to be who we were created to be, we must look to the life and teachings of Jesus who is the perfect representation of the Father.
Jesus' Way:

Mark 12:29,30 – LOVE GOD
A love that encompasses your entire being.
Loving God is not a “top” priority, it is the “only” priority
Love for God is demonstrated in love toward others (1 John 3:7,8)
Commandments 1-4 address love for God (Ex. 20:3-8)

Luke 10:27 – LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
Our neighbor is anyone with whom we come into contact
Love for our neighbor is best demonstrated by mercy (Luke 10:37)
Commandments 5-10 address love for neighbor. (Ex. 20:12-17)

Love for God and love for neighbor roll back
the relational dysfunction brought by the fall!


John 13:34 – LOVE ONE ANOTHER
This is a “new” command, it is different from the others
This is the PRIME DIRECTIVE for God's church (John 13:35; 1 John 3:11)
This is the CENTRAL PRAYER of Jesus for His church (John 17:20-21)

Being Reconciled to One Another:

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 – The ministry of RECONCILIATION
As the new creation, we are to reconcile people to God and to each other
We no longer view people from a worldy perspective (Gen. 3:6; 1 John 2:16)
The Corinthian church was in dire need of reconciliation (1 Cor. 1)

John 15:12 (and beyond) – The ONE ANOTHER commands
Specific and practical instructions for sharing life with other believers
Tangible descriptions of how to LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Why Group Size Matters:

Four Circles of Relationships
Public Relationships – Recognition
Social Relationships – Names and Conversation
Personal Relationships – Shared Life
Intimate Relationships – No Secrets

In which circle of relationships can the "ONE ANOTHER" commands be lived out most effectively?

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