2. A Spirit-driven

ministry

• Makes small groups essential, not optional

• Enables people to live in community according to the divine plan

• Multiplies leaders• Provides for 100%

church involvement in ministry

Jesus’ model for Jesus’ model for ministry…ministry…

The baptism of Jesus: Luke 3:21-23

After all the people had been baptized, Jesus also was baptized. While he was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you." When Jesus began his work, he was about thirty years old. (GN)

The baptism of Jesus: John 1:29-51

• Beginning of His ministry

• Holy Spirit focus• People become

disciples• Disciples invite

others

• Luke 4:14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee, and the power of the Holy Spirit was with him.

• Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed

The Holy Spirit in Christ’s ministry

• Luke 11:13 As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!“

• Luke 12:12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."

• Act 1:8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me."

• Acts 2:17 'This is what I will do in the last days, God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit.

• Act 2:39 For God's promise was made to you and your children, and to all who are far away---all whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

The Holy Spirit in our ministry

• “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship (koinonia)”

• “The whole congregation of believers was united as one” Acts 4:41,32

“Koinonia” and Pentecost

• Acts 1:15 120 • Acts 2:41 3000+• Acts 4:4 10,000+• Acts 5:14 +++

Growing church

Church as a body

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” I Corinthians 12:27

How does it work?

The Holy Spirit makes it possible through the gifts He gives to each

member of the body (I Cor 12:7-11)

A beautiful plan

“In all the Lord’s arrangements, there is nothing more beautiful than His plan of giving to men and women a diversity of gifts.”

Evangelism 98

If we neglect it?

“The greatest cause of our spiritual feebleness as a people is the lack of real faith in spiritual gifts. If they all received this kind of testimony in full faith, they would put from them those things which displease God, and would everywhere stand in union and in strength. And three-fourths of the ministerial labour now expended to help the churches could then be spared to the work of raising up churches in new fields.” Review and Herald, January 14, 1868

Small groups – an inspired plan…

…for the development and release of spiritual gifts for ministry

Middle East Union Pastors Council Arua, South Sudan Field

March 4-8

Small Group Ministry in the Seventh-day Adventist Church