Gospel Community Groups
What is the purpose of Gospel Community Groups?
Gospel Community Groups provide an environment where members of Emmaus are able to build deep relationships with one another. Members are able to love, pray for, learn from, rely on, and share with one another in practical ways.
Who is able to join a Gospel Community Group?
When a group forms it will remain open for about two months. Members of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church may join the group by speaking to the leader or to a Pastor. If you have not yet become a member of Emmaus we ask that you would begin by talking with a Pastor to determine where best to begin the discipleship process at Emmaus. While Gospel Community Groups are well suited for those with Christian foundations, they do not provide the structure or systematic instruction needed by those young in the faith. The Introduction to the Christian Faith class would be better suited for the new believer or those lacking Christian foundations. Please speak with a Pastor soon to determine how best to progress.
What is the focus of the conversation?
The discussion within Gospel Community Groups will typically center around sharing life with one another and discussing the sermon from the previous Sunday. GCG Study Questions are posted each Sunday on the website and on The City.
How long will Gospel Community Groups stay together?
After the two-month “open” period the group will covenant together for 1 1/2 to 2 years and become a “closed” group. When the covenant is up the group will discuss the best course of action. Perhaps someone in the group will go through the training process and lead a new GCG; perhaps the GCG will disband, each member joining another group; or perhaps the groups will re-covenant together for another period of time. Our desire is that groups (leaders and participants) would regularly assess their effectiveness, the needs within the church, and their own personal situation in life.
What is the desired effect of Gospel Community Groups?
Beyond the obvious desire to see individuals encouraged in Christ, we would also like the see Gospel Community Groups encourage members to use their spiritual gifts within the church, community, and nations. Our hope is that group members grow in their love for God, their love for one another, and in their service as ambassadors for Christ in the community.
What should I do if I am new to Emmaus, am wanting to connect, but not ready to commit to the church as a member?
As you can see, Gospel Community Groups require commitment. They are for the members of Emmaus (or, under certain circumstances, those clearly committed but not yet members – please talk with a Pastor). Please keep in mind that there are a lot of others ways to get connected at Emmaus. For example, you can come to worship on the Lord’s Day regularly and stay afterward to visit with others. You can attend Emmaus Essentials classes before the service at 9:00. You can begin to meet with a Pastor for further guidance concerning involvement at Emmaus, or set up an appointment for counseling if there is something particular that needs to be addressed. you can attend men’s or women’s events, or simply begin to build casual relationships with others at Emmaus. We also offer discipleship groups which meet throughout the week. The reason we typically require membership for involvement in GCG’s is to maintain an environment where members can share openly, knowing that those in the group have committed themselves to the church in a meaningful way.
Why don’t Gospel Community Groups concentrate on topical studies?
Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church offers a more “academic” study of the scriptures through the Emmaus Essentials theology courses offered throughout the year. We separate the academic emphasis from the relational emphasis, not because the two are contrary to one another, but because we believe that greater depth will be experienced in both areas when separated in this way. We encourage regular involvement in Corporate Worship, Gospel Community Groups, and Emmaus Essentials.
GROUP RESOURCES
» GCG Diagram
» GCG Covenant
GCG WEEKLY QUESTIONS
Discussion Questions: Luke 7:18-23
posted on Sunday, September 24th by Joe
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS
The sermon manuscript is available at emmausrbc.org/category/sermons
- What does it mean to be offended by Jesus?
- When the disciples of John asked Jesus, are you the one who is to come?, this indicates there were doubts amongst them. Why were the disciples of John tempted to doubt? Why were they tempted to pull back from Jesus?
- Do you think that John doubted? Or do you agree with Calvin and many other ancient and Reformed commentators, that John was sending his disciples to Jesus for their own sake? If you agree that this was for the disciples of John, what was John’s strategy?
- In the sermon, I made a case that the phrase, “the one who is to come”, is technical language referring to the promised Messiah. See Malachi 3:1–2 and Psalm 118:26 and discuss.
- Why didn’t Jesus simply say, Yes, I’m the one? Why did he perform those particular miracles and then say, “the poor have good news preached to them”? How was this a much more helpful answer than a simple “yes”? (Hint: look at Isaiah 35:1-6 and Isaiah 61:1-3).
- The saying of Jesus, “Blessed is the one who is not offended by me”, is both a statement of fact and an exhortation/warning. How is it an exhortation? (You might want to keep reading in Isaiah 61 through to the end of the chapter and pay special attention to verse 9).
- Are you, or have you been, tempted to be offended by Jesus? How might we grow in our confidence that Jesus is the Messiah so that we do not pull away from him?
Discussion Questions: Luke 7:11-17
posted on Sunday, September 17th by Joe
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS
The sermon manuscript is available at emmausrbc.org/category/sermons
- Do you think that Luke 7:11-17 is meant to be compared with 1 Kings 17:8–24? If so, why? What do we learn about Jesus when we compare and contrast these texts?
- How does the miracle of Luke 7:11-17 function as a sign that Jesus is the Messiah?
- How does this miracle symbolize the totality of Jesus’ mission?
- What is different about the resurrection of Jesus when compared to the raising of the widow’s son (Luke 7:14), the young daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:54), and Jesus’ friend, Lazarus (John 11:43)? There are many differences, but one is really big. Hint: It has to do with the quality of life that follows.
- Jesus has won the victory over sin, Satan, and death and has been raised to life incorruptible. How do we come to benefit from this? And what difference should this make in our lives today, and especially at the moment of death?
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