Sharing God’s love in Community
THE CHURCH OF ACTS – A
CHURCH OF SMALL GROUPS
Penge Baptist Church
6th October 2013
The church of Acts
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They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching
and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to
prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many
wonders and miraculous signs were done by the
apostles. All the believers were together and had
everything in common. Selling their possessions and
goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every
day they continued to meet together in the temple
courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate
together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God
and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the
Lord added to their number daily those who were
being saved.
Jesus’ dream of oneness fulfilled!
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“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray
also for those who will believe in me
through their message, that all of them may
be one, Father, just as you are in me and I
am in you.” (John 17:20-21)
The five core purposes….
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Community
Discipleship
Ministry
Evangelism
Worship
….and their fulfilment in a church of small
groups
A church of small groups in Acts
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A church
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Every day they continued to meet together in
the temple courts.
Of small groups

They broke bread in their homes and ate
together with glad and sincere hearts, praising
God and enjoying the favour of all the
people.
Small groups and community
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They devoted themselves…to the
fellowship.…all the believers were
together….they broke bread in their homes
and ate together with glad and sincere
hearts
Small groups and discipleship
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They devoted themselves to the apostles’
teaching and to the fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and to prayer.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom….” (Colossians 3:16).
Small groups and ministry
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Everyone was filled with awe, and many
wonders and miraculous signs were done
by the apostles…they gave to anyone as he
had need…
“to prepare God’s people for works of
service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up” (Ephesians 4:16)
Small groups and evangelism
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…enjoying the favour of all the people.
And the Lord added to their number daily
those who were being saved.
Small groups and worship

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They broke bread in their homes and ate
together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God and enjoying the favour of all
the people.
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly
as you…sing psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs with gratitude in your hearts to
God.” (Colossians 3:16).
A church of small groups –
deepening our Christian lives
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Our Sunday service
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Ideal for corporate teaching of biblical truths, inspiring
the people of God, motivating them to live for Christ,
giving them a sense of belonging to the wider body of
which Christ is the head, and coming together in
corporate worship of him
Our small group meetings
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“The small group is ideal for interacting together over
scripture, until we understand it more clearly, for
meaningful involvement in each other’s lives, for
developing our God given gifts, for sharing our joys and
struggles and receiving the “one another” ministries of
the New Testament.”
Plans for small groups at Penge
Baptist Church
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Tuesday late afternoon/early evening,
especially for those with children led by
Siaa
Tuesday evening led by Falaux
Wednesday afternoon, especially for
seniors, led by Claire
Thursday evening, led by Michael
Core aim – “growth through
fellowship”
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“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we
profess, for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds.”
(Hebrews 10:23-24
Sharing God’s love in Community
THE CHURCH OF ACTS – A
CHURCH OF SMALL GROUPS
Penge Baptist Church
6th October 2013