Several weeks ago Austin and I had a good small group meeting. People were open and honest. We had a good discussion about the message. We have a guy who attends our group who is not a believer. He mostly listened. He felt welcomed and enjoyed being a part of the group.
After our group meeting that night Austin said something to me that was very insightful and helpful.
He said, “That was a good group but did it feel more like a therapy session than a small group?”
Great question! So grateful that Austin asked.
Austin was acting as a faithful leader assistant by asking the question and helping me think about our group meeting. Leader Assistants you have an important role to play.
Back to Austin’s question: was this a therapy group?
I started wondering – What would our non-believing friend be thinking about our small group time when he got home.
“That’s a great group of guys.”
“They gave me some great advice.”
“I sure do feel better after going to group.”
None of those are bad thoughts. I hope he had all of those thoughts.
What about these thoughts…
I don’t know what I believe about Jesus, but those guys believe in Jesus.
Those guys really trust Jesus.
Those guys think Jesus really loves them and they are devoted to him.
Ultimately I want this person to say – These guys trust Jesus. I want to trust him too.
Our friend trusting Jesus is a work of the Spirit, but is it clear in our group meetings that we trust in Jesus.
I think after Austin asked me this question I have a new slogan for conducting group meetings.
Here is the slogan: WWJBD
What Would John the Baptist DO?
He would probably dress weird.
He probably wouldn’t have the best snacks in his small group.
Who knows if he would start and end on time.
If John were a small group leader there is one thing that John would be clear about – He would point to Jesus.
John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
IF you were in John the Baptist’s small group you would know that he was all about Jesus.
If someone confessed sin in John’s small group. I can imagine he would say, “Thanks for being open and honest.” And he might say “Jesus has paid the price for your sin and forgiven you. He wants to take that sin away from you.”
John might say, you have confessed that sin to us, now why don’t you talk to Jesus about it. Give it to Jesus and ask him for help after all Jesus is the one who came to deal with your sin.
I remember a time several years ago when I was with someone and they confessed a sin to me.
I asked – have you talked to God about this sin in your life? They began to cry.
Immediately my reaction was, “Oh no, I made it worse.” “They trusted me and I made them feel bad.” “They will never trust me again.”
I didn’t want them to “feel” bad. I did want them to experience forgiveness from Christ.
It was right for me to ask them to talk to Jesus about their sin. I helped them. I told them what to say, but Jesus is just as real as Rodney. He is the one who cleanses and forgives.
WWJBD – What would John the Baptist Do – He would say take your sins to Jesus.
John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
How do I conduct my small group meetings with a desire for Jesus to INCREASE.
I might be a good teacher. I might lead well organized groups but what is one thing that I want my non-believing friend to know after leaving group – These guys really trust Jesus.
What are some activities you might do in your group?
ACCOUNTABILITY
How are you doing with your quiet time?
How are you taking care of yourself?
How are things at work? Questions about purity, loving your kids, your spouse, etc.
Important activity – Accountability is vital
Look to Jesus’ words to tell us WHY we are doing accountability.
John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commands.
John 14:23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
Love me – do what I command and then I will be at home with you.
When we do accountability in our groups, we are helping people to love Jesus.
Do you do accountability in your groups with a desire to help people be obedient to Jesus’ commands? If you do, you are helping people love Jesus.
PRAYER
One of the things that John the Apostle does in his writings is to repeat words.
If you want to, read ahead in John 14-16 – Circle the word ask and count how many times Jesus’ tells us to Ask.
Here is just one verse – John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.
What does Jesus tell us to do there? He says “ASK”
He doesn’t say do the math and try to figure this out. He says ASK.
Dallas Willard wrote that praying is primarily asking.
Praying is not reasoning with God.
Praying is not advising him.
When you pray, just ask for what you want.
Jesus asked – “What do you want me to do for you?”
Is he too busy for us? Is he not strong enough? Is he not wise enough?
Just ask and let him sort it out. Model simple asking in your group.
I often ask people – How can I pray for you?
Not a bad question.
What if I asked, “What are YOU asking JESUS to do in YOUR life?”
I’m not endorsing the prosperity Gospel, but encouraging us to take Jesus at his word. He says ask, so we should ask.
I’m encouraging you to tell your group members to go to Jesus for what they want. Go to Jesus for what they need.
A theology of prayer may be complex.
Praying is simple. Ask Jesus for what you want.
Back to our WWJBD slogan.
What would prayer request time look like in John the Baptist’s small group?
He might say… No prayer requests tonight – If you need something. If you want something, let’s ask Jesus for it. Of course we can pray for each other but why don’t we talk to Jesus rather than just talking to each other.
Ask Him for what you want.
Let him sort out what you need.
Be grateful for what he gives.
Be faithful to what he says.
I’ve been meditating on Psalm 121:1
I lift my eyes to the hills, “Where does my help come from?”
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
The maker of heaven and earth is your helper.
That is pretty good help.
He gives me help through books. Through friendships. Through the church. Through his word.
But HE, the personal God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is our helper.
Yes I want my non-believing friend to be helped by our group meetings.
The best help that he could receive is for him to trust the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
I want him to be surrounded by guys in our group who are growing in trusting Jesus.
I want the guys in my group to go to Jesus for help. If they come to me for help, I want to be like John the Baptist and say – Look to Jesus.
What do you want?
