Follow Along with the Message

Getting Small to Grow Large

Pastor Aaron Andrews

Having  church with multiple campuses while being one family is called . 

Riverside Church exists to reach  and help them to become fully devoted  of Jesus Christ.

1. What Do Small Groups Look Like at Riverside?

a.  specific

b. Message- 

c. Any Jesus follower can lead

d. Leaders have  

e. Core discipleship structure

f.  Groups (DivorceCare, GriefShare, The Marriage Course, Alpha, Life Recovery, Financial Peace University)

g. We are a church  Small Groups, not a church  small groups

Why do we believe so strongly in the  of growing through Small Groups?

We believe that Small Groups are a Biblical Model!

2. Jesus' Model of Ministry Was a Large Group/Small Group Model

a. He spoke to large groups of people (Matthew 4:23-25, Sermon on the Mount; Matthew 5-7)

i. Mark 1:45-2:2 (Healed a leper; crowds followed wherever He went)

ii. Luke 9:10-11 (Feeding of the 5,000)

b. Jesus took the time for small groups of people as well, investing in them at a  level

i. Matthew 10:1-4 (The  disciples)

3.  Church Model Utilized Large and Small Groups

a. Jesus is gone, the disciples, now apostles, have been commissioned in Matthew 28:18-20 to reach the whole world, how is this going to happen?

b. Large Group

i. Acts 1:12-15 (120)

ii. Acts 2:1-8, 14, 40-41 (Day of Pentecost...)

iii. Acts 5:12-16 (Signs/Wonders/Crowds of people!)

c. Small Group

i. Acts 2:46-47

ii. Acts 5:42

iii. The rest of the book is sprinkled with references of public speaking and teaching as well as being in homes and small settings, more like our small groups.

d. Bottom line...! We're here and the Good News of Jesus is still being preached, taught and applied in large venues, medium-sized venues, and in small groups around the globe!

So ...why Small Groups?

4. Small Groups !

a. Spiritual and Social  - doing life with one another.

b.  and Practical Care - groups are our first level of care at Riverside.

c. Spiritual Learning and Growth - creating a place where you can ask questions, figure things out and take next steps.

5. Where Are You When it Comes to Small Groups?

a. On board and engaged?

b. Doubtful and unsure?

c. Why should I try a group?

d. What step will you take to engage in Jesus’ model of growing and strengthening the church through Small Groups today?

Tell someone about the next step you took today in your spiritual journey! Let us know, too, and fill out our digital connect/next step card.