PARABLE of the TWO Winged Church

"There once was created a church with two wings. One wing was for large group celebration and the other wing was for small group community. Using both wings the church was able to fly high and nigh into the presence of God and to soar gracefully all over the earth fulfilling the purpose of the Creator.

PARABLE of the TWO Winged Church

One day the jealous wicked serpent, who had no wings, challenged the church to fly with only its large-group-wing. The serpent applauded loudly when the church became airborne (though it was a clumsy effort) and convinced the church that with practice it could fly just as well using only that one wing. Deceived from that day, the twowinged-church began to see itself as having only one wing.

PARABLE of the TWO Winged Church

(This happened during the earthly reign of Constantine, which was only three hundred years after the Creator had used the twowinged-church to thwart the plans of the wicked serpent who had no wings.) The small-group-wing became weaker and weaker from lack of exercise until it atrophied into a lifeless and useless appendage beside the oversized largegroup-wing.

PARABLE of the TWO Winged Church

The two-winged-church that had glided high in the heavens was now one-winged, little better than the wicked serpent who had no wings. The Creator of the church was very sad. He knew that the two-winged design had allowed the church to soar in the heavens into His presence and do his bidding on earth.

PARABLE of the TWO Winged Church

With only one wing the church was forced to try even harder to just lift off of the ground. Even if it managed to become airborne it was prone to fly aimlessly in circles, unable to travel any distance from its original point of departure. Spending more and more time in the safety and comfort of its bird house, it grew fat, lazy and contented with an earth bound existence.

PARABLE of the TWO Winged Church

From time to time the church remembered that it had once flown with two wings and dreamed that it could do so again. But now the strong large-group-wing was so dominate that it would not accept help from the weaker side. It was too late.

PARABLE of the TWO Winged Church

The Creator finally created a new two-winged-church. Once again the Creator had a church that could fly into His presence and soar high over all the earth fulfilling his purposes." Bill Beckham

Why Small Groups?

WHY SHOULD WE HAVE SMALL Groups? A. Historical Reasons for SMALLGroups 1. First 300 Years of the Church The New Testament Church functioned as the church in the 1st century within a dual context:

Why Small Groups?

The "Gathered Church" Context Met as the "whole church" Assembled as the congregation went "to the temple" The "Scattered Church" Context Met as "home churches" Joined together as a cell Went "house to house

Why Small Groups?

2. Last 1700 Years In 312 A.D. Constantine, the first "Christian" emperor, imposed an institutional CATHEDRAL form upon the church. Since that time theology has changed from church to church, the type of worship has been different, approaches to leadership may have varied, but a constant in church history over the past seventeen centuries has been the cathedral structure.

Why Small Groups?

3. Characteristics of Cathedral Style Church "People go to a building (cathedral) on a special day of the week (Sunday) and someone (a priest or minister) does something to them (absolution or healing) or for them (a ritual or entertainment)

Why Small Groups?

This cathedral way of being the church has dominated Christianity for the past 1700 years.

Why Small Groups?

4. Results of the One-Wing Approach a. "What changed about the church when it moved from small group to large?" The Lord's Supper Changed: from symbolic meal to ritual

Why Small Groups?

Leadership Style Changed: from gifted to professional Discipleship Changed: from apprenticeship to note taking Worship Changed: from participation to observation

Why Small Groups?

Stewardship Changed: from gift of the heart to dues Power Changed: from God's power to man's ability Witness Changed: from relationship to salesmanship

Why Small Groups?

Use of Gifts Changed: from edifying to impressing Membership Changed: from producer to consumer

Why Small Groups?

Growth Changed: from multiplication to addition Buildings Changed: from functional to

sacred

Why Small Groups?

Jesus' system (The Twelve) was designed to turn out producers and not consumers.

Why Small Groups?

In the New Testament small group, they met in homes. Contribution and productivity is high.

Why Small Groups?

We cannot produce New Testament fruit unless we have a New Testament structure. The large group structure by itself produces consumers. That is why in most churches 80% of the people are consumers, while the other 20% are the producers.

Why Small Groups?

The problem is the large group system - it is an information system. And transformation is difficult in a large group system. Small groups, however, offer a transformation system. In small groups people can become contributors, and not just consumers.

Why Small Groups?

Someone has said that,

"Every problem in the church can be traced to the 4th century when the church became audience."

Why We Believe in Small Groups

In prison, one of the harshest of punishments is solitary confinement.

Why Small Groups

Cutting people off from relationship is painful. Yet, every weekend, churches are filled with people who are in a kind of solitary confinement.

Why Small Groups

One of the reasons that many Christians experience little spiritual growth and live defeated lives is because they are trying to live the Christian life in isolation.

Why Small Groups

God never intended anyone to live the Christian life alone. This is now the BEST time where everyone may NOT EXPERIENCE the solitary confinement punishment of life lets LAND them into Small Groups with trained and excellent loving Small Group Pastors.

Win Bond Train Send

LTS mtv

Our Story at His Life Ministries

A SAMPLER CAMPAIGN KICK OFF

Mark 12:28b 31
NIV

"Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.

Relationships
This 7 Week Spiritual Journey on RELATIONSHIPS at His Life will call and challenge each one of us to place a higher premium on Loving God and Loving People. This according to Jesus is the GREATEST of all the Commandments.

THE BEST USE OF LIFE IS LOVE!

Love should be your top priority, primary objective, and greatest ambition. Love is not a good part of your life; it's the most important part.

THE BEST USE OF LIFE IS LOVE!

The Bible says, "Let love be your greatest aim." It's not enough to say, "One of the things I want in life is to be loving," as if it's in your top ten list. Relationships must have priority in your life above everything else! This is what should matter most!

This

RELATIONSHIPS will lead us to the

RELATIONSHIP EXPERT! His name is . We will be looking at how He related to people in the Gospels and on how we may apply this TODAY! Get a copy of Loving God, Loving People BOOKLET and be part of this Journey!

7 Week

Spiritual Journey on

JESUS

This

RELATIONSHIPS will lead us to the

RELATIONSHIP EXPERT! His name is . We will be looking at how He related to people in the Gospels and on how we may apply this TODAY! Get a copy of Loving God, Loving People BOOKLET and be part of this Journey!

7 Week

Spiritual Journey on

JESUS

The BEST FORMAT to maximize the teachings in this 7 Week Spiritual Journey on Relationships and Love is through THE SMALL GROUPS! TOOL: TIME: TEAM: Booklet Guide 7 Weeks Your Small Group TUNDAY: RE-INFORCED TEACHING

This is our UNITED Series for the YEAR 2009!

st 1

2009

Feb 22

What Matters Most Kick-off

Mar 1

Place the Highest Value in Relationships Week 1 WORSHIP Love as Jesus Loves You Week 2 MINISTRY

Mar 8

2009

Mar 15

Communicate from the Heart Week 3 FELLOWSHIP EVANGELISM As You Judge, You will be Judged Week 4 FELLOWSHIP EVANGELISM

Mar 22

2009

Mar 29

The Greatest are The Servants Week 5 MISSIONS SUNDAY Treat Others as You Want them To Treat You Week 6 DISCIPLESHIP FELLOWSHIP

April 5

2009

April 12 Resurrection Sunday Celebration Week

There

Small Group

will be a

booklet for everybody

2009

Heart for your community

(or your church)
Willing

to pen your home for 6 weeks (this is the length of the study) refreshments

Serve a few simple Turn on your DVD

Heart for your community

(or your church)
Desires to reach the lost to Jesus Passion for nation transformation Never judgmental to sinners Friend to sinners Wanting to see more and more souls come to the saving knowledge of Jesus.

 Willing

to pen your home for 6 weeks (this is the length of the study)

You have an extra space, office, classroom Has a hospitable touch Willing to entertain guests People Relater

Serve a few simple

refreshments
One Solid One Liquid

Turn on your DVD

Knows how to turn on a DVD player for the TEACHING time If does not know one ... at least find one or assign to someone ... [my 5 year old kid knows how to operate the DVD at home )

The Small Group FORMAT We have ... L Groups D Groups E Groups here at HLM

Can meet at: -A Gazeebo -Under the tree -In a restaurant -In a home -In a classroom -In a resort -In an office -In any space!

Connection Strategy

The Connection Group FORMAT Usually a group of more than 25, 30 or 50! Can meet at: -A Canteen -A Function Hall -A Function Room -A classroom -An extra space -A Conference room -An Office -A Garage -A Street Corner

Connection Strategy

Sponsor

Small Group

booklet for someone.

2009

WHAT is a Small Group?

Regular GATHERING of 8 to 12 people for the PURPOSE of Growing in the PURPOSES of God for their lives. The Goal is to DISCIPLE one another to become like Christ. A Small Group is for DISCIPLESHIP.

What Should Happen in a SMALL Group?

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Love one another John 13:34 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love Romans 12:10 Honor one another above yourselves Romans 12:10 Instruct one another Romans 15:14 Serve one another in love Galatians 5:13 Carry each others burdens Galatians 6:2 Be kind and compassionate to one another Ephesians 4:32 Forgiving each other Ephesians 4:32 In humility consider others better than yourselves Philippians 2:3 10. Encourage one another daily Hebrew 3:13 11. Spur one another on toward love and good deeds Heb. 10:24 12. Confess your sins to each other James 5:16 13. Pray for each other James 5:16

Who should be a HIS LIFE Cell Pastor?

Covenanted Member PEP Finisher LTS Enrolled Must be in a Small Group of Leaders At least a Year in HLM Master Mission Mate Master Mate Mission

Who should be a HIS LIFE Cell Pastor?

Someone who understands the call to Holiness and Purity in all relationships Someone who is supported by his / her Believing Spouse to be a Small Group Leader. Someone who has no problem with wine, nicotine,

Who should be a HIS LIFE Cell Pastor?

Underwent Step 4 of Celebrate Recovery Program. Loyal to the Covenant, Vision, Values and Teachings of His Life Ministries. Desires to grow in Prayer and Fasting and Intercession.

Who should be a HIS LIFE Cell Pastor?

Must qualify by living the following from Gods Word:
Exodus 18:21a (NIV) Acts 6:3 (NIV) Titus 1:69 (NIV)

The Model of 12
Jesus as Our Role Model

See Mark 3:13, 14

13

Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. 14 Then he selected twelve of them to be his regular companions, calling them apostles. He sent them out to preach, 15and he gave them authority to cast out demons. 16 These are the names of the twelve he chose . . .

Take Time to PRAY Take Time to SELECT Take Time to WAIT Take Time to be DECISIVE Take Time to TRAIN Take Time to KNOW

(alone) (fit) (response) (recognize) (to do) (by name)

 Faithful Committed Excellent Submitted Tested Excited

Small Groups NOT Allowed!

WHY? Controlling Spirit vs Unleashing Spirit Fear of Heresy instead of letting the Lion out Making of Superstar Leaders instead of TEAMS

Small Groups NOT Allowed!

WHY? Priesthood of all Believers vs Clergy Domination Ministry Robbed from the people instead of seeing all as MINISTERS! Ephesians 4 not SEEN lack of enlightenment

Small Groups NOT Allowed!

WHY? Ignorance and Sincerity (but the wrong tree) Tradition vs Fear of Change change to Go back to the Bible! Bondage to the past instead of Commitment to the Word of God!