NorthlandChurch May 22, 2010
distributed groups Being the Church Distributed
NorthlandChurch May 22, 2010
distributed groups Being the Church Distributed
Table of Contents Welcome
2
Schedule
3
Lesson 1
4
Lesson 2
11
Lesson 3
17
Lesson 4
24
Lesson 5
30
Welcome to the Distributed Group Leader Training Back to the Future Do you remember the Michael J. Fox movie trilogy in which he rides the DeLorean time machine back and forth between the past, present, and future? Fox’s character must fix a serious problem that occurs in the past in order to restore the future to the proper order. In this training, we will also step back in time to recapture something for the present and, subsequently, shape the future. During the next few hours, we are going to explore what church was like before the existence of buildings called “churches.” By digging into history and the Bible, we will discover what the followers of Jesus did to build community, reach their neighbors, and worship God in the centuries before cathedrals, white clapboard country churches, or high tech auditoriums. In the early generations of our faith, people met wherever they had room. They would either gather as a group of approximately thirty folks in a home, three thousand in the Temple, or a few hundred in a local school. Over the years, we have gotten pretty good at meeting together in the large group settings. However, we have lost the intimacy of the gathering of one to three dozen people in a local home. We are now in the process of recapturing that way of meeting as a church. Churches have attempted versions of home meetings; such as small groups, cell groups, and home Bible studies. But, by and large, churches have viewed those meetings as a small slice of “real church.” For them, real church is the Sunday morning event which involves a preacher up front with a worship team, choir, and/or worship leader. Certainly, this method is a valid way for the church to gather. But, so is meeting in the home. They are not mutually exclusive. In fact, it is our conviction at Northland that the large gathering and the small gathering must work together to be a full expression of the church. Just as the church gathered in the Temple Court and House-to-House in first century Jerusalem, so today we must be the church in both the large and small gatherings. At Northland, we strive to help you be the church wherever you are, everywhere, everyday. Sometimes that means gathering by the hundreds or thousands in an auditorium. Sometimes that means gathering by the tens in homes. Our vision for the Distributed Church is that the church expand into every neighborhood in the form of Distributed Groups. We see Northlanders gathering in both the Temple Court (in places like Longwood, Mt. Dora, Oviedo, or the county jail) and House to House in your neighborhood. Today, you are going to learn how to do church in the simple settings of places like as your home, community room, or even a business conference room. You will learn how to simply be the church. Please note that this method of doing church is not something that many churches are doing. However, thankfully, we are not alone. Others across the country and around the world are recapturing the essence of the church by going back to the first century in order to move into the twenty-first. Thanks for joining the adventure. Dr. Dan Lacich Pastor for Distributed Sites Northland: A Church Distributed
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Distributed Group Leader Training Schedule
Breakfast 8:30 AM Welcome and opening remarks
Lesson 1 8:45 AM “Understanding the Distributed Church” 9:05 AM Discussion
Lesson 2 9:20 AM “Distributed Hospitality: Your Home As a Ministry Outpost” 9:40 AM Discussion
Lesson 3 9:55 AM “Distributed Serving” 10:15 AM Discussion
Break 10:30 AM
Lesson 4 10:45 AM “Distributed Gathering: In Jesus’ Name” 11:05 AM Discussion
Lesson 5 11:20 AM “Distributed Worship: Observing Sacraments” 11:40 AM Discussion
Dismiss 12 PM
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Understanding the Distributed Church I Session 1
Session One Understanding the Distributed Church
“We don’t go to church; we are the church.” Ernest Southcott
ConsiDer
EXPLORE Jesus fully expected the church to be “distributed.” His ministry is the perfect distributed model. Parable of the Seeds: Mark 4:1-20
Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-20 “As you go” vs. “Making a special trip”
Ask each person in your group to answer the following question. Can you recall one of the first groups you participated in as a child or young adult? What drew you to that group? What was your role in the group?
Mark 4:1-8 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3”Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times.”
Matthew 28:18-20 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” DISTRIBUTED GROUPS | PAGE 4
Understanding the Distributed Church I Session 1
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 A pre-cursor to “as you go”
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Acts 1:6-8 Go “to the ends of the earth”
Acts 1:6-8 6So when they met together, they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Like us, many of the early believers were distributed as a result of life circumstances rather than ministry choices.
God is so serious about us being distributed that He sent persecution to make it happen.
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Understanding the Distributed Church I Session 1
The historical Western model of the church centers on membership, benefits and those who belong. It also makes sure that those who are not members are excluded from those benefits.
What is the Distributed Church? “The church that is distributed values ministry beyond its walls more than ministry inside them because it focuses on those not yet included.” Church Distributed, p. 13.
The role of the pastor and staff in such a church is to do all things that are considered to be ministry. In a distributed church, every believer is a minister.
The Distributed Church… Church Distributed, p. 16 1
…is a church ____________________________________________________.
2
…values, and makes the most of, _____________________________ in the Body of Christ.
3
…works through outside ____________________ and NOT JUST inside ______________________.
4 …places resources ___________________________________ rather than making people come to the ______________________________________.
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Understanding the Distributed Church I Session 1
Compare Traditional Church with the Distributed Church Local Church with Missions
Distributed Church
We/They
Us
Avoids or negotiates differences
Links with differences
Discipleship as reforming
Discipleship as partnering
Evangelism as crusade
Evangelism as finding family
Small groups as refuge
Small groups as training teams
Information improves position
Information improves outreach
Structure is to separate i.e. Holiness
Structure is to connect i.e sanctification
Focus is buildings, programs
Focus is “everywhere, every day�
Education makes bosses
Education makes servants
Accountability emphasized
Collegiality emphasized
Plan by principles
People are the plan
Boundaries protect
Boundaries connect
Clergy > Laity
Laity = Clergy
Worship as a menu item
Worship as core: extended, applied
Complicated polices to obey
Simple directive: Minister together
Join the church
Join other Christians to serve people in a way that brings them closer to God DISTRIBUTED GROUPS | PAGE 7
Understanding the Distributed Church I Session 1
what are distributed groups?
Distributed Groups Any group of 5-20 people who attend an existing Northland Site for worship but who also meet regularly as a group in order to be the Church everywhere, every day.
distributed Churches People who gather as a Simple Church but are NOT connected to another physical Northland location. They may be within close proximity to a Northland site or at a distance of thousands of miles.
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Understanding the Distributed Church I Session 1
discuss Discuss the following questions with your group
What are the benefits of making disciples “as you go” over “making a special trip”?
be distributed Begin making disciples “as you go.” Who are three people already in your everyday life for whom you can be the Church everywhere, everyday? Write their names below and then commit to praying for them every day this week.
Which attribute of the Distributed Church is the most important to you? Explain.
1
2
3
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Understanding the Distributed Church I Session 1
resources Interested in learning more about this session topic? Explore the following resources Books The Church Distributed, Dr. Joel C. Hunter House Church, Steve Atkerson, ed. The Rabbit and the Elephant, Tony and Felicity Dale Sermons Dr. Joel Hunter, Topic: The Distributed Church http://www.northlandchurch.net/media/common_ground_common_good/ http://www.northlandchurch.net/media/being_different_together/ http://www.northlandchurch.net/media/walls_and_wings/ http://www.northlandchurch.net/media/from_followers_to_leaders/ Links House2House http://www.house2house.com/ This site is produced by Tony and Felicity Dale as a means of connecting those interested in House Church ministry in order to build cooperation in the Kingdom. Northland Simple Church Videos http://www.doingchurchsimply.com/ A series of eleven short videos that introduce topics related to hosting the church in your home. Each video is presented by Northland pastors and friends and is followed by a corresponding Bible Study. Simple Church Social Network http://www.simplechurch.com/ Another helpful site from Tony and Felicity Dale featuring the basics of House Church ministry and forums for discussion. Church Multiplication Associates http://www.cmaresources.org/ A training ministry run by our friend, Neil Cole, that focuses on leadership in the House Church. Please note that Neil uses the term “Organic Church” instead of “House Church.”
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Distributed Hospitality: Your Home as a Ministry Outpost I Session 2
Session two
Distributed Hospitality: Your Home as a Ministry Outpost
1 Peter 4:8-9 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.” Ask each person in your group to answer the following question. What is the best way a host can help you feel comfortable in his or her home?
Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
ConsiDer
EXPLORE Worship before the Exile The Journey from the Temple to Homes and Back Again Until 586 BC, the Temple in Jerusalem was the focal point of Israel’s relationship with God.
The Destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians and the exile that followed caused seismic shifts in the way Israel worshiped.
Worship after the Exile Return to the Land, the Rise of the Synagogue, and the Jewish Diaspora Under Ezra and Nehemiah, many returned to Jerusalem and eventually built the Second Temple.
Many did not return and were scattered across the Middle East and Roman Empire.
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Distributed Hospitality: Your Home as a Ministry Outpost I Session 2
Worship after Christ’s Resurrection The Rise of Christianity
Growth in Jerusalem began with Pentecost.
Jerusalem Homes and hospitality became important.
Pentecost and the need for hospitality: Acts 2:38-41
Jewish establishment caused persecution.
Acts 2:38-41 38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Meeting in groups: Acts 2:42-47
Acts 2:42-47 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
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Distributed Hospitality: Your Home as a Ministry Outpost I Session 2
In the Community Center: Acts 19:8-10 Acts 19:8-10 8Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.
From House to House: Acts 20:17-23 Acts 20:17-23 17From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. 20You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. 22�And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me.
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Distributed Hospitality: Your Home as a Ministry Outpost I Session 2
rome The Church in Homes: Romans 16:3-5
Romans 16:3-5 3Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.
Who Led these House Churches? The Priesthood of all believers: 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
The Seventy-two sent out Luke 10:1-6 1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5”When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.
A Royal Priesthood 1 Peter 2:4-5 4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
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Distributed Hospitality: Your Home as a Ministry Outpost I Session 2
The Whole Church and the House Church “In recent research scholars tend to agree that the early Christian movement was characterized by the coexistence of two church forms: The house church and the whole church at any given location.” Roger W. Gehring “House Church and Mission”
The Temple and House to House in the Distributed Church
Distributed Group: A group of 5 to 20 Northlanders who regularly worship at a Northland Site, (the “Temple Court”) and also meet and serve together as the church in their community (“House to House”).
Worship
Serve
Equip
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Distributed Hospitality: Your Home as a Ministry Outpost I Session 2
discuss Discuss the following questions with your group What do you think the life and ministry of the Church today would look like if there were no “church” buildings?
What would we do differently?
be distributed Practice taking the church outside the “Temple.” Think of a few friends and/or family members that you can invite to share a meal with you in your home this week. If you cannot use your home, meet at a park for a picnic or choose a favorite restaurant or coffee house. As you gather, remember to show the hospitality shown by the first Christians.
What might we not do at all?
What are we not doing that we might start doing?
resources Interested in learning more about this session topic? Explore the following resources
Books Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition, Christine Pohl Untamed Hospitality: Welcoming God and Other Strangers, Elizabeth Newman I Was a Stranger: A Christian Theology of Hospitality, Arthur Sutherland Give Friday Nights to Jesus, Josh Hunt DISTRIBUTED GROUPS | PAGE 16
Distributed Serving I Session 3
session three Distributed Serving
Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work. Mother Theresa
ConsiDer
EXPLORE
Ask each person in your group to answer the following question. Describe a time when a leader served you. How did that experience change or supplement your impression of that leader?
Jesus Modeled Service
Matthew 20:25-28 25Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Why did Jesus come to earth?: Matthew 20:25-28 This is an important question that is most often answered with a less than biblically complete response.
The Great Commandment: Matthew 22:34-40 Matthew 22:34-40 34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36”Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” DISTRIBUTED GROUPS | PAGE 17
Distributed Serving I Session 3
The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37
Luke 10:25-37 25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26”What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28”You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36”Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Loving your neighbor is about DOING…
…what you can,
…with what you have,
…where you are.
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Distributed Serving I Session 3
Loving your neighbor also means being:
Responsive
Proactive
Creative
Committed
What does this kind of servant lifestyle achieve? Earns the right to be heard
Provokes the “why” question
Demonstrates the character of Jesus
What is Mercy? “Theologians have discerned that God’s mercy (the Greek word eleos) is that aspect of His nature which moves Him to relieve suffering and misery.” Tim Keller, Ministries of Mercy: The Call of the Jericho Road
Ministries of mercy, defined as loving your neighbor, are about meeting needs.
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Distributed Serving I Session 3
Concentric Circle of Need The Gospel is a holistic message that must address the needs of the whole person.
Theological
Psychological
Social
Physical
Ways to Love Your Neighbor Page Storming Practice being aware of how you can meet your neighbors’ needs by completing the exercise below.
1
Think of one practical way you can tangibly demonstrate Jesus’ love through service to a neighbor.
2 Write your idea at the top of a scrap piece of paper. Pass the paper to the person on your right at your table. 3 Receive an idea paper from the person on your left. Read his or her idea. Write down another idea on that piece of paper. DO NOT write down your first idea. 4 Pass the new paper to the person on your right. Repeat the exercise until you have written a new idea on each paper. Be sure to read the previously written ideas so that you do not duplicate ideas AND so they will spark your new ideas.
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Distributed Serving I Session 3
Serving Together Paul described the Body of Christ. The Power of the Body: 1 Corinthians 12
1 Corinthians 12 1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31But eagerly desire[e] the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.
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Distributed Serving I Session 3
The Witness of Community
The Advantage of Multiple Gifts
Loving your neighbor with a verbal witness: Romans 10:14-15
Romans 10:14-15 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Avoid the trap of being “Good Deed Doers.”
Understand the basics of the Gospel message.
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Distributed Serving I Session 3
discuss Discuss the following questions with your group What are some difficulties with loving others as Jesus did through serving?
be distributed Practice being a servant. Choose someone you lead (such as an employee, someone you are mentoring, or your child). Find a way to serve that person this week. If you need ideas, consider some of the suggestions offered during the Page Storming exercise. After you serve the person, reflect on his or her reaction and your attitude. Record your reflections in the space below.
resources Interested in learning more about this session topic? Explore the following resources
How can you overcome your own hesitation to love someone in your life who is difficult to love?
Describe an instance when you saw the Body of Christ working together to show His love. What were the reactions of people in the Body? How did people in the impacted local community react?
Books Ministries of Mercy, Tim Keller Keller, a mid-town Manhattan pastor, explores how the ministry of the Good Samaritan applies in today’s world. Conspiracy of Kindness, Steve Sjogren Sjorgren describes practical ways to show the love of Christ to people around you. Links Northland Simple Church Video: Session 4 http://www.doingchurchsimply.com/ This video focuses on what it means to love your neighbor. DISTRIBUTED GROUPS | PAGE 23
Distributed Gathering: In Jesus’ Name I Session 4
session four
Distributed Gathering: In Jesus' Name
“The right kind of evangelical order cannot be exhibited among all sorts of people, but those who are seriously determined to be Christians and confess the gospel with hand and mouth, must enroll themselves by name and meet apart in one house, for prayer, for reading, to baptize, to take the Sacrament, and exercise other Christian works.” Martin Luther, 1526
ConsiDer
Ask each person in your group to answer the following question. What way of worshiping God do you find most meaningful? Why?
EXPLORE Early Church Example The early Christians set the example. Acts 2:42-47 Acts 2:42-47 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Understanding Biblical Fellowship:
Koinonia: “what we hold in common; our shared lives”
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Distributed Gathering: In Jesus’ Name I Session 4
What did the early church gathering look like when participants met together in homes?
All participants had the opportunity to share. 1 Corinthians 14:26-28 1 Corinthians 14:26-28 26What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
Participants ministered to each other. 1 Peter 2:4, 5, 9 1 Peter 2:4, 5, 9 4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. The gathering did not follow a set order of events.
The leader acted as the guide and facilitator of the gathering.
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Distributed Gathering: In Jesus’ Name I Session 4
When You Gather: Include the following Key Elements
Prayer
Worship Ephesians 5:19, 20
Ephesians 5:19, 20 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Testimony 1 John 1:1
1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
The Word
Food
Communion
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Distributed Gathering: In Jesus’ Name I Session 4
Gather Together Group Exercise During the next ten minutes, practice meeting as a Distributed Group using some of the Key Elements. Use the following ideas to guide your gathering. 1
Discuss: a What scripture has really spoken to you in the past week? How has God been guiding, comforting, and/or challenging you with that verse? b What is one way God has used you in the past week to take the Gospel to someone else? c Do you need counsel and/or prayer regarding where God is leading your life? How can your group assist you?
2 Pray: save time to pray with one another during the last few minutes of your meeting.
What about Kids? Include them as much as possible.
Utilize Northland Children’s Curriculum: www.childrensministrywarehouse.org.
Share responsibility for their nurture.
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Distributed Gathering: In Jesus’ Name I Session 4
discuss Discuss the following questions with your group Consider the Biblical descriptions of the Early Church. What part of the gatherings would have been the hardest for you to join enthusiastically? Why? Which part would have been the easiest to do? Why?
be distributed Set a date for a Distributed Group in your home and invite friends, family, neighbors, and/or coworkers. Determine how you will facilitate the Key Elements (ask participants to bring food items, communion elements, and/or favorite musical accompaniment). Then spend time praying for the meeting during each day leading up to it.
How might including whole families (participants of all ages) be a positive experience for your gathering?
As a group, choose one of the Key Elements. How would you contribute to that Element if your group was to gather as a Distributed Group right now? Discuss how your different approaches would enhance each other’s experience.
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Distributed Gathering: In Jesus’ Name I Session 4
resources Interested in learning more about this session topic? Explore the following resources Books U R The Church, Ken Eastburn The Rabbit and the Elephant, Tony and Felicity Dale Organic Church, Neil Cole Links Church Multiplication Associates http://www.cmaresources.org/ This is a great place to find resources on the Organic Church from Neil Cole. Simple-minded http://www.simple-minded.net/ Created by Bob Sears (a friend of Northland), this is a wonderful “how to” site. It provides very clear and simple steps for starting a simple church; as well as what to do when your simple church gathers. The Well, A Simple Church Community http://leavethebuilding.com Ken and Ali Eastburn lead The Well; a network of house churches in Southern California. The Well began as a traditional Baptist Church before selling their building to fund house churches.
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Distributed Worship: Observing Sacraments I Session 5
session five
Distributed Worship: Observing Sacraments
“When we worship together as a community of living Christians, we do not worship alone, we worship ‘with all the company of heaven.’” Marianne Micks
ConsiDer
Ask each person in your group to answer the following question. Briefly describe a rite of passage or a ritual you have completed which was significant to you. Why was the event meaningful?
EXPLORE
The Marks of a Church
Why the Sacraments are Crucial What is a Sacrament? “An outward sign by which the Lord seals on our consciences the promises of His good will toward us in order to sustain the weakness of our faith.” John Calvin
Latin: sacrementum
Greek: musterion
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Distributed Worship: Observing Sacraments I Session 5
The Old Testament Sets the Precedent Passover Lord’s Supper Passover: Exodus 12:1-30
Exodus 12:21-23 21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go at once and select the animals for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. 23 When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.
Lord’s Supper (Communion): Matthew 26:17-19
Matthew 26:17-19 17On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’ “ 19So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.
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Distributed Worship: Observing Sacraments I Session 5
Circumcision ď‚’ Baptism Circumcision: Genesis 17:9-11
Genesis 17:9-11 9 Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.
Baptism: Colossians 2:11-12
Colossians 2:11-12 11In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. Who can Administer the Sacraments?
Old Testament: the head of the household administered Passover.
New Testament: Any believer could administer Communion and Baptism. For example, Philip, who was a deacon and not an apostle or pastor, administered Baptism. (See Acts 8:26-40)
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Distributed Worship: Observing Sacraments I Session 5
Pr actical Steps Baptism Who gets baptized?
How much water do you need?
What do you do and say?
Communion Who can participate?
Do you need special bread and wine?
What do you do and say?
Are there other events that have a touch of grace?
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Distributed Worship: Observing Sacraments I Session 5
discuss Discuss the following questions with your group Which sacrament is most meaningful to you? Why?
Why should your Distributed Group participate in the sacraments together?
be distributed Administer either Communion or Baptism using the information and resources provided in this session. If you know someone who wishes to be baptized, gather with the person and a group of close family and friends at a nearby body of water and baptize the person. Or, gather family and friends in a home for a shared meal and Communion.
resources Interested in learning more about this session topic? Explore the following resources
Would you not feel comfortable administering one of the sacraments? Which one and why? What would help you overcome this barrier?
Books A Holy Waste of Time, Marva Dawn Engaging With God: A Biblical Theology of Worship, David Peterson Ancient/Future Worship, Robert Webber
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