SESSION OBJECTIVE:

As a leader see to it that the first meeting creates a good impression among the attendees. Be warm in receiving them and allow everyone introduce themselves. Encourage them to share more of themselves.

THE WORD

1. What is the biblical basis for the Care Group Ministry?

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19, 20

Matthew 28:19, 20 has been called the Great Commission. This the most emphatic words of Christ as to what should be the business of the church. This is also the mandate for the Care Group Ministry.

How did the Care Group Ministry become a response to the Great Commission? Notice that the main command of Christ is to make disciples, not baptizing or teaching. Baptizing and training fall as subtasks under the command to make disciples. Christian discipleship or growing the person to the fullness of what he is destined to be in Christ is the goal of the Care Group Ministry.

2. How did Christ exemplify this work of discipling others in His own ministry?

“And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. ” – Luke 6:13-16

One might ask why did Jesus pick only a handful of men to disciple when he could have more? Why not a hundred or perhaps even an entire nation? Looking at the manner of discipleship that Christ provided the Twelve, it was practically impossible to take a large number of individuals. He did not neglect preaching to a crowd, but he focused a lot of his effort on the twelve. The disciples were with Him all the time. They went wherever he went. This gave them the opportunity to observe how he lived loved and worked. He was always interacting with them-teaching them and answering their queries. His life and person is itself his medium of discipling the twelve. Christ’s concept of discipleship is life discipleship.

The Care Group Ministry follows the example of Christ. Do not attempt to personally disciple an entire church with a thousand members. It is impossible. At most, you end up with a superficial greeting and a handshake for each Time would simply not allow this, and one’s energy is just too limited to undertake this. But you can take ten or a dozen individuals and commit yourself to love and nurture them until they develop and mature. This is the concept of CARE GROUP MINISTRY: Spiritual development through meaningful relationships.

3. How do the Care Group intend to disciple its members?

a. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. ” – Mark 6:34

Even Christ himself saw the difficulty of believers without the presence of a mature leader to guide them. He called them “sheep with-out a shepherd.”

Mentoring is a principle found in almost all area of human development and endeavor. Children need their parents not only for their physical needs, but also to teach and guide them so that they can grow properly. Interns in any field of study need the guidance of an expert. And so it is also best for new believer to have the presence of a mature Christi to help them grow and to train them for ministry.

b. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” – John 13:34

Aside from the leader, there is also the entire group that promises to provide a healthy environment for the person to grow as a person through their unconditional love and support for the person. In a Care Group, a person does not have to pretend or wear a mask. He is loved just as he is. This love, when unresisted, has a very powerful effect. It removes all pretensions allowing the person to see himself clearer and better, and enables an authentic growth to take place.

c. “…not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:25

The defining features of the Grow Group is their regular meeting. Even in ancient times, Christians are encouraged to meet together to strengthen one another’s faith. In the group meeting, members study the Word of God, share experiences, craft life resolutions and pray together.

d. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. ” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

If King Solomon appreciated the value of two individuals helping each other, how much more would he for ten persons having the same intention for one another?

The group members are not just co-discussants during meetings, they are life companions for one another. They are the member’s social support group. Having committed to love the member, the group will be there always willing to listen to him, to struggle with him and celebrate with him.

THE LIFE

The leader should take the opportunity to share how the Christian influence and ministry of a group or of a person nurtured him spiritually and personally. He should then encourage the attendees to share how they have been lead by God so far in their Christian experience.

FOR THE LEADER: In response to the gospel commission of making disciples, ask each of them if he/she can commit to be a part of your Care Group. Discuss properly with them the schedule and the place of meeting. To those who would like to commit, ask them to come for the next meeting which will be your commitment meeting.

THROUGH SONG

Father God Just for Today

Father God just for today
Help me walk the narrow way
Help me stand when I would fall
Give me the strength to hear your call
May my steps be worship
May my thoughts be praise
May my words bring honor to your name
(Repeat)

THROUGH PRAYER

Pray for each person present-those who have committed and those who did not. Pray also for the success of the Care Group Ministry to nurture you and extend the love of Christ to others.