This sermon introduces the importance of "connecting small" (joining small groups or "Packs") as an essential part of spiritual formation. Connecting small isn't just a church program; it's a vital environment for maturing in our faith, making disciples, and fulfilling the Great Commission.

Scripture References

Matthew 28:19-20: The Great Commission—making disciples and teaching them to obey.
1 Corinthians 3:1-2: Paul addressing spiritual infants who need milk, not solid food.
Philippians 2:3-4: A call to spiritual adolescence: looking to the interests of others.
1 Corinthians 4:15: "You have countless instructors in Christ, but you don't have many fathers."
James 1:2-4: The testing of faith produces endurance, leading to maturity.
Luke 24:13-35: The Road to Emmaus, where Jesus models different learning styles (Scripture, mentoring, and an immersive meal).
1 John 4:7-8: "Let us love one another, because love is from God."
Luke 10:5-6: Jesus instructs His disciples to look for a "person of peace."

Key Points

The Goal is Maturity Jesus didn't just save us; He called us to grow up in Him. Using James Fowler’s "Stages of Faith," we can assess our maturity:
- Spiritual Infancy: Fully dependent on others for spiritual nourishment ("feed me").
- Spiritual Adolescence: Taking personal responsibility for your own spiritual growth.
- Spiritual Adulthood/Parenthood: Moving from independence to interdependence. You invest in others, walking alongside them through the testing of their faith to help them grow.
Connecting Small Creates a Place to Learn Sunday mornings are great, but learning theory shows we need more than just a lecture. Small groups provide:
- Information (Lecture/Teaching)
- Apprenticeship (Mentoring from someone further along)
- Immersion (Catching the culture and presence of God by being in the environment) Jesus used all three on the Road to Emmaus. Small groups provide the apprenticeship and immersion that a Sunday service cannot fully offer.
Connecting Small Gives Us a People to Love Maturity requires love. In a small group, we hear the hopes, fears, and pains of others. Loving people stretches our capacity and creates a dependency on God ("I don't know how to help them; God, You have to come through"). Loving God fuels our love for others, and loving others deepens our reliance on God.

Conclusion

We don't connect small just to have another meeting on the calendar. We do it because we desire to grow and mature, we want a context to love people deeply, and we want to set the table for others to experience the healing and peace of Jesus.

Calls to Action

Assess Your Stage: Are you an infant relying on others to feed you, an adolescent taking responsibility, or a parent investing in others?
Join a Group: Don't settle for the "lecture" of Sunday morning. Join a small group to experience apprenticeship and immersion.
Look for a Person of Peace: Pay attention to the people in your life. Who is God already preparing? Take the risk and invite them into your life and community.

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