Celebration
Life Group Sunday

Celebrate Life Groups & Community

Sunday August 17, 2025 - Pastor Margareth Valui

Psalm 126:3

Theme Verse: Psalm 126:3 - "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad."

Main Scriptures: Paul, Aquila & Priscilla started a small group

Acts 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

Supporting Scriptures: Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. (Romans 16:3-5)

Big Idea: Priscilla and Aquila show how God uses everyday people and homes to disciple others and lead vibrant communities of faith.

New Testament Small Groups / House Churches

Primary Meeting Place: These gatherings were the church itself, not a sub-ministry of a larger congregation. Believers met in homes (Acts 2:46; Acts 20:20; Romans 16:5; Philemon 1:2).

Shared Life: Where believers knew each other's needs and met them (Acts 4:32-35).

Discipleship and Mission: Evangelism and discipleship happened organically, often over meals or through hospitality (1 Corinthians 14:26; Acts 5:42).

Collaborative Mutual Ministry: The gifts of the Spirit were expressed in an intimate, participatory environment (1 Corinthians 14:26)

Why Studying the Difference Matters

New Testament: House church/ Small Group was a way of life - word/teaching, prayer, meals, and mission woven into daily relationships.

Today: Small groups often function as supplements to the "real" church service, Sunday-centric service. Our shared life often is limited to 60-90-minute meetings.

Why Small Groups Aren't Automatically a Growth Engine

1. Small Group Reflect, Not Drive Health: If the church's DNA is weak (word/teaching, discipleship, prayer, mission), more small groups won't fix it. The health of the people drives the groups - not the other way around.
2. Small Groups Can Become Inward-Focused: Many small groups focus only on study or fellowship without mission, becoming inward-focused rather than multiplying.

Note: New Testament Small Group, home gatherings worked because hospitality, shared resources, and mutual responsibility were normal in Christian life. Relational Depth + Spiritual Power, small groups are more than a social club or book club.

Implication for Today

• 1. Recover hospitality as one of the primary ministries (How? Can you share?).
• 2. Empower every believer to contribute, not just leaders (Can someone read 1 Cor 14:26? What do you bring to your group?).
• 3. Integrate Discipleship and Mission into group life (Is anyone invited, saved, mentored or sent- that will be a God-size thing)
• 4. Bridge the line between "meeting" and "living life together" (Is there a shared life outside the 60-90 minute meeting?)