Research shows that if new people at a church or group do not make seven friends within the first seven weeks of attendance, they will not stay. Small groups and social gatherings are the natural solution to this situation. Dave Earley
Satan does everything he can to keep us from Christ. Once we are in Christ he does everything he can to keep us from ministering. Once we are ministering, he does all he can to keep us from mentoring. This is because he sees the awesome potential mentoring has to expand the kingdom of God. Dave Earley
It looks like they lined up the dishes especially for my visit to the telescope this morning. Not a bad morning for riding today. #cycling #Narrabri #Biketooter #radioastronomy
The highly effective small group leader develops the habit of preparing for the group meeting. He carves out the time and puts in the effort to be ready for “the most important hour and a half of the week. Dave Earley
Knowledge is essential for effective leadership. The better you know people, the better you can lead them. You can’t ‘grow’ them if you don’t ‘know’ them. Dave Earley
Scripture
The Lord of Heavens Armies is a wonderful teacher, and he gives the farmer great wisdom.
Observation
Samaria is the pride of its people, but the Lord will send a mighty army that will smash it to the ground.
One day, Israel will obey the Lord. But now it is ruled by drunks. Even the priests and prophets stagger with wine.
Jerusalem will also be judged. The Lord will place a true cornerstone in Jerusalem. The Lord will send an army against Jerusalem like a flood that comes morning after morning.
A farmer knows when to plough and when to reap. He knows how to thresh each kind of grain. It is the Lord who gives the farmer great wisdom.
Application
Successful farmers need great wisdom. They have to be able to read the seasons to try to predict what the next few months will look like. Will it be too dry for the crop or too wet? Do I grow a summer crop or wait and plant a winter crop?
The Lord gives farmers great wisdom. The successful farmers receive this wisdom and work with it.
Folly is to ignore the wisdom of God for the wisdom of men.
We live in an age where people have abandoned God’s wisdom and now pursue every folly. We can’t define what a woman is any more. People defy biology to assert the more than two genders. We think we can control the weather by installing solar panels.
We must return to the Lord and receive His wisdom. Only then will our life make sense.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to walk in your wisdom every day. Amen.
The fourth habit of the highly effective small group leader: Contact group members regularly. Dave Earley
Inviting is easiest when inviting is done in concert with a team of people, a posse of prayer, and a healthy group and church. You do not have to do it all by yourself. It is especially powerful when a person already knows and likes someone else in your church or small group. Dave Earley
Realtors tell us that it takes about six solid contacts to fix their name in the minds of prospective clients. I have found it also takes about six contacts by a group leader to fix his group in the mind of a potential member. You want to help people think, “If or when I ever go to a group, I want to go to that group.” Dave Earley
The sermon for January 21st 2024 is now available on the New life web site.
In this sermon, which is based on Mark 1:14-20, I tlak about Following King Jesus.
Click here to download or listen.
New Life Narrabri 