What Every Christian Needs To Grow

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I. The Model of the First Church
People were more concerned about serving than
surviving.
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I. The Model of the First Church
People were more concerned about serving than
surviving. The more life they gave away to
others, the more vibrant and alive they were.
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We want to be a New Testament church. How?
1. Reach others with the life giving message of
Christ
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We want to be a New Testament church. How?

• Reach others with the life giving message of
  Christ
• Have a Biblical structure that promotes meeting
  the needs of those who come into this church
  family.

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II. The Incredible Growth of the First Church
During the first 25-30 years of the church it
grew from 120 people to more than 60,000 people.
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III. Where Did They Put All Those People?
Day after day, in the temple courts and from
house to house, they never stopped teaching and
proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the
Christ. Acts 542
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III. Where Did They Put All Those People?
Two-fold strategy Large group celebration Small
group fellowships
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The life of the church is not so much about
prolonging or perpetuating our own life as it is
about giving new life to others.
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The best way to reach others is through
relationships.
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Our expectation is that we will be able to see
in our growth and success things that would
never have been accomplished except by the direct
intervention of God." Joe Gibbs
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IV. How Did They Care for So Many People?

• A growing church is biblical.

Acts 61, In those days, when the number of
disciples was increasing
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When a church is living and growing, it is only
natural for it to reproduce.
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IV. How Did They Care for So Many People?

• There will be growth pains

there were rumblings of discontent Acts 61
(NLT)
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IV. How Did They Care for So Many People?

• Pastors cannot do it all.

It would not be right for us to neglect the
ministry of the word of God in order to wait on
tables. Acts 62
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IV. How Did They Care for So Many People?

• Every believer in Christ is a minister.

Brothers, choose seven men from among you who
are known to be full of the Holy Spirit and
wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to
them. Acts 63
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IV. How Did They Care for So Many People?

• Pastors are to stay focused on prayer and
  teaching the word of God.

We will give our attention to prayer and the
ministry of the word. Acts 64
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V. What Did They Do in Their Small Groups?

• They were doing Bible study.

Acts 242, They devoted themselves to the
apostles teaching
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V. What Did They Do in Their Small Groups?

• They committed themselves to fellowship.

and to fellowship Koinonia includes

• Spiritual communication
• Sincere cooperation.

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V. What Did They Do in Their Small Groups?

• They gave themselves to breaking bread.

and to the breaking of bread
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V. What Did They Do in Their Small Groups?

• They gave themselves to prayer.

and to prayer.
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VI. Benefits of Joining a Cell Group

• Applying the Bible to your life better.

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VI. Benefits of Joining a Cell Group

• Applying the Bible to your life better.
• Feel like a real part of Gods family.

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VI. Benefits of Joining a Cell Group

• Applying the Bible to your life better.
• Feel like a real part of Gods family.
• Handle stress better.

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VI. Benefits of Joining a Cell Group

• Applying the Bible to your life better.
• Feel like a real part of Gods family.
• Handle stress better.
• Serve better.

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VI. Benefits of Joining a Cell Group

• Applying the Bible to your life better.
• Feel like a real part of Gods family.
• Handle stress better.
• Serve better.
• Reach out better.

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VI. Benefits of Joining a Cell Group

• Applying the Bible to your life better.
• Feel like a real part of Gods family.
• Handle stress better.
• Serve better.
• Reach out better.
• Use your talents and gifts.

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• Begin Old Testament Challenge series
• Cell Expo for Ministry, Outreach, and Worship
  groups

Next week
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