ONWARD with Soul Care in 2016

Here is some information about Soul Care and the ONWARD study.

GENERAL INFO ABOUT SOUL CARE:

It is my prayer that each of you would understand that Soul Care groups are   

a small part of this churches ministry.  God wants to do so much more in your life then just have you sign up to get together with a group of people. 

At the same time our Soul Care groups play a MAJOR part in Emmanuel’s ministry.  We genuinely believe that being in a smaller group than this here, discussing with others how to live out God’s word individually and together and praying with others will help you treasure Jesus and encourage others to do the same.  

GOAL for the Fall of 2016 

• 30 groups.  This past year we had 24 groups.

SPECIFIC INFO ABOUT THE ONWARD STUDY:

• Title:  ONWARD;  Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel
• Click HERE for information and several videos about this study.
• Click HERE for a post containing 20 quotes from the book.
• Think about this quote below for your Soul Care group and our church this year.  You can share it on facebook by clicking below.

Passionate Soul Care meetings?

Here some ways to use this week's sermon and the book Side by Side in Soul Care.
The section of Side by Side on Thoughtful Conversation ties in well with the idea of fighting sin together.

How is your group passionately approaching the struggle against sin?

Are you REALLY fighting sin together?

Is your group REALLY willing to help others grow?

Are you using God's word to guard your thinking?

What has distracted your thoughts this week?

The Primary Purpose of Small Group Ministry

First of all, the I don't necessarily like the term small group.
It does not convey true purpose.  Our goal is not a small group. 

So now let's talk about different, primary purposes of our Soul Care Group ministry.
How many primary purposes can one ministry have?

Saturday's post stated that the primary purpose of our Soul Care ministry is...

We have community groups as a proclamation of the goodness of our God and testimony to the completed work of the cross.  

Our Soul Care ministry is about people growing in their satisfaction in Christ and helping others grow in their satisfaction. 

Genuine Soul Care comes in helping people understand that their soul will be truly satisfied and cared for only when they are resting in Jesus Christ.  

Today's post contains a link to an article that states that the primary purpose of a small group ministry is "the transformation of God’s people to be more like Christ"

So which is it?  
The transformation of people OR the glorification of God. 

The answer is not one OR the other.  
The answer is both.

It is the transformation of people FOR the glorification of God.

Sinful people in desperate need of a Savior saved by God's grace in Jesus Christ. 

Saved people in desperate need of life transforming change made possible only through God's power. 

John Piper states it like this
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."

Why small groups in light of the deep, powerful truth in Romans....

This post is going up at blog.emmanuelbaptist.com after Sunday's message.

While reading through Romans 1:1-17, I was struck by the number of times relationships are mentioned.
Paul wants to meet with the Romans to strengthen them.  Romans 1:11
Paul knows that their faith will be a mutual encouragement.  Romans 1:12
Paul wants to see the fruit among the church and the  rest of the Gentiles  Romans 1:13
Paul needs to share the gospel with different groups.  Romans 1:14
The spread of the gospel from the Jews to the Gentiles makes visible the power of the Gospel.  Romans 1:16

In thinking about Soul Care and the deep truth in Romans, I wanted to share the following quote from the book Community.

We do not have community groups to close the back door of the church.
We do not have community groups because people need to belong or we need to care for one another.
These are good secondary effects of authentic community.
These effects are not the foundation.
We have community groups because we have seen the glory of God and we have been given the  grace to live our lives to exalt the Christ.
We have community groups because we have been reconciled to God and one another.
We have community groups as a proclamation of the goodness of our God and testimony to the completed work of the cross.
This is the foundation for gospel-saturated community that will overflow with life. 
Page 43

The power of the gospel is made known as Jews and Gentiles, Greeks and barbarians, wise and foolish are saved and brought together by the power of God. 

Our Soul Care ministry is not about meeting felt needs. 
Our Soul Care ministry is not about caring for people.
Our Soul Care ministry is not about getting more people to 4207 W. Laskey Road.

Our Soul Care ministry is about people growing in their satisfaction in Christ and helping others grow in their satisfaction.
Genuine Soul Care comes in helping people understand that their soul will be truly satisfied and cared for only when they are resting in Jesus Christ.