Great Commandment

Our Passion

Matthew 22

Developing Intentional Growth

1. The Passion of the Church

a. Christ’s Model of Love (John 13:12,14,15)

(12) So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 

(14) If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 

(15) For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

1. The Passion of the Church

b. Christ’s Message of Love (John 13:34,35)

(34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 

(35) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

2. The Practice of the Church

• “...you also ought to...” (14) (indebted)

• “...you should do as...” (15) (inasmuch)

• “...as I have loved you...” (34) (inasmuch)

Love one anotherLike Jesus Loves

a. Opportunities for Connecting

(Most people can’t keep up with more than 70 names)(Most people can’t keep up with more than 70 names)

WhatWhat was was his namehis name??

Tom

Dick

Harry?

The PRINCIPLE of The PRINCIPLE of 7070

“Greet one another...” (9 of 21)

b. Opportunities for Contact

(People are uncomfortable with groups (People are uncomfortable with groups less than less than 77 and more than and more than 1717))

The PRINCIPLE of The PRINCIPLE of 1717

HELP!

“with the twelve” (6x in Mark)

c. Opportunities for c. Opportunities for ClosenessCloseness

Principle that growth involves open and closed groups. (Matt. 20:17)

Jesus used open groups and closed groups... Mark 4:1,10

(To develop relationships - the groups must be (To develop relationships - the groups must be ongoingongoing in nature) – Acts 20:31 (3 Years)in nature) – Acts 20:31 (3 Years)

Continued 18 mos. Continued 18 mos. (Acts 18:11)(Acts 18:11)

The PRINCIPLE of continuationThe PRINCIPLE of continuation

Couple’sClass

Guiding Lights

FadingLights

E n d sN e x t W e e k

Notmeeting

today

Starts in2 weeks

To beannounced

?Fellowship

Class

d. Opportunities for d. Opportunities for ContinuityContinuity

e. Opportunities for e. Opportunities for ComprehensionComprehension

Principle of Sequential Principle of Sequential programmingprogrammingJohn 16:12,25; 1 Cor. 3:2

Come and See

Come and Follow Me

Come and Be with Me

Remain in Me

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.  John 16:12

...but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.” (16:25)

“I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;”

1 Corinthians 3:2

f. Opportunities for f. Opportunities for CorrelationCorrelation

1 Corinthians 9:22; Philippians 2:4

Principle of Segmentation Principle of Segmentation

(Since people are not generic, their needs are (Since people are not generic, their needs are best met by segmenting and targeting them best met by segmenting and targeting them

rather than using the scatter shot approach)rather than using the scatter shot approach)

1 Corinthians 9:19,22

(19) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more...

(22) I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 

Philippians 2:4

 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

...let each esteem others better than himself (3)

Order of Interests?

“Closeness” and “Correlation”

Open Groups

My Needs

My Interests

Like Me

Specific, pro-active strategy to

reach outsidersand assimilate them

into the group

“Closeness” and “Correlation”

ClosedGroups

Body Needs

Christ’s Goals

Disciple

Do not invite others to join.

Focus on developing closeness

and spiritual growth

of members in the group

“Closeness” and “Correlation”

Open GroupsClosedGroups

My Needs

My Interests

Like Me

Body Needs

Christ’s Goals

Disciple

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

Our Love should attract others to Jesus Christ.