REDEMPTIVE RELATIONSHIPS

In How People Change Timothy Lane and Paul Tripp provide an interesting, challenging description of a man.  "He had the theological dexterity of a gymnast, but he lived like a relational paraplegic." (1) 

They also list some common obstacles that "hinder redemptive relationships from developing in our lives."
Here is the list found on page 71:
1.  the busyness of life, keeping relationships distant and casual.
2.  a total immersion in friendships that are activity- and happiness-based
3.  a conscious avoidance of close relationships as too scary or messy.
4.  one-way, ministry-driven friendships in which you always minister to others, but never allow others to minister to you.
5.  self-centered, "meet my felt needs" relationships that keep you always receiving but seldom giving.
6.  a private, independent, "just me and God" approach to the Christian life.
7.  theology as a replacement for relationship.  Knowing God as a life of study, rather than the pursuit of God and His people.

Let us help people build redemptive relationships (investing oneself in the life of another in such a way that he is drawn more closely to Jesus Christ.

Deeper Prayer Times

One area most people wrote down as an area that needs to improve in their Soul Care groups is more personal prayer.
During the meetings we discussed several things that can help move your group's prayer time to more personal prayers.  Here are some of the ideas we talked about...

1. Transparency in the group begins with transparency of the leader.  If your group members don't feel like you, as a leader, are being open and transparent then they will not.  At the same time remember just because you share your heart doesn't mean everyone else in the group will do the same thing.
2. REMEMBER, transparency in a group takes time to build.
3. Strategically pray.  Ask a question to begin the prayer time. 
• This week we will be praying evangelistically.  Who is someone you have shared or would like to share the Gospel with?
• This week we will be praying for personal spiritual growth.  What is an area you need to grow in this week?
• This week we will be praying for spiritual growth of others.  Who is someone you are discipling/helping to grow spiritually?  How can we be praying for you as it relates to helping others grow?
• In thinking about this upcoming week, what is one of your biggest concerns that we can pray for? 
4. Divide into two groups.

If you have any other ideas or suggestions, you can post them here or email them to soulcare@emmanuelbaptist.com

Change it up a little bit...

One thing that is helpful in leading a group is changing it up every now and then.
Here are a couple of small changes that would help keep your group fresh:

1. Change the timing:  Move the prayer time after the discussion time.
2. Change the room set-up:  Recently, I placed two chairs in the middle of the circle.  People wondered what the chairs were  doing there.  We used them to talk through Pastor Duke's person A/person B example in the sermon.

Think about what you want to accomplish and if there is something you can do to help the members of your group connect to the message.

Child Care @ Soul Care meetings

As we talked about in the training times, one of the biggest challenges in small group ministries is child care.  I know some groups are not in a position to use the e-kidz wednesday night ministry at the church.  If that is the case what is something you have tried or are considering regarding child care.

Soul Care Group Prayer

I usually don't post personal prayers but in preparing for the launch of the Soul Care group ministry at EBC, I thought this prayer would help us remember what we are about.

Lord,

As I think about putting these groups together I pray that you would be glorified.

For the leaders and assistant leaders…

I pray that they would desire to see you magnified in their groups.

I pray that they would desire to see biblical unity and not lack of conflict.

I pray that they would point people towards you and your word.

For the members of the groups…

I pray that they would desire You more than anything else.

I pray that they would desire to help others grow closer and closer to you.

I pray that they would be flexible as we work through the details.

For me…

I pray that you would guide me in putting together these groups.

I pray that you would grow me into the man you want me to be.

I pray that you would give me wisdom in thinking through potential problems with the Soul Care launch and ministry.

Amen.

Soul Care = Disciple making

Soul Care is another way to say...
     Biblical counseling which is another way to say...
          which is another way to say disciple making.


The Soul Care Groups ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church is our plan
to become more focused on
making disciples and
living out the one anothers.