From Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together ‘Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community…
The Danger of Christian Idealism
Why the World needs the Church
“From a Christian point of view, the world need the church, not to help the world run more smoothly or to make the world a better and safer place for Christians to live. Rather, the world needs the church because without the church, the world does not know who it is. The only way for […]
A Signpost to the Kingdom
“[The Church] exists .. to set up in the world a new sign which is radically dissimilar to [the world’s] own manner and which contradicts it in a way which is full of promise.” Karl Barth (Church Dogmatics, 4.3.2)
HGLT 5: Home Group Bible Study
Christians have been meeting together in small groups to study the Bible for more than two millennia. As they have done so, countless numbers have found their faith awakened, their lives transformed and their relationship with God and one another wonderfully deepened. In this session, we examine how your Home Group members can discover the power of this wonderful resource for themselves.
The Gracious Extra of Community
“Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called․that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9 “There […]
Called to Peace
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 “Jesus’ followers are called to peace. When Jesus called them, they found their peace. Now they are not only to have peace, but they are to make peace. To do this they renounce violence and strife. Those things never help the […]
HGLT 4: Key Issues in Leadership
Becoming an effective home group leader does not require you to be an exceptionally gifted person. You don’t need advanced level skills in group dynamics, a post-doctorate degree in theology, the wisdom of Solomon or the patience of Job – though a little of the latter two might definitely be an advantage! What you do […]
HGLT 3: Forming the Covenant
Despite the fact that the idea of covenant is a constant and vital element in the bible’s narrative, many of us journey quite some distance into our Christian lives before we ever realize it. It’s a real pity because there are few aspects to the Christian message that are more revolutionary and transformative for both our thinking and our praxis as followers of Jesus. The God who has revealed himself to us is a God of covenant and as those created in his image, we have been made to be people of covenant.
HGLT 2: Creating an Environment for Growth
We have seen that effective discipleship can best be achieved when believers meet together in small groups as well as in the larger context. However, it is important to realise that not just any type of small group will do. People can meet for prayer and Bible study for years yet never grow to trust […]
HGLT 1: The Biblical Basis for Home Group Ministry
The biblical basis for Home Group ministry begins in the very nature and character of the God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It continues in the strategy of Jesus and in the life and witness of the early and contemporary church. When we read through the scriptures and the history of the church around the world we see that Christians meeting together in small group communities has been one of the key elements in the building of the church…