Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Analysis 1

A Paper Submitted To
Dr. Gary Waller
In Partial Fulfillment of The
Requirements for The Course
DSMN 630

Submitted By

Terry Michele Noonan Fitzgerald
10/28/2014

Table of Contents

Introduction 2
The Primary Passages that Form a Small Group Ministry 2 The Great Commandment: Matthew 22:33-40 3 The Great Commission: Matthew 28:16-20 3 The Great Example Acts 1-2 4 The Great Illustration: Ephesians 1 5 The Great Plan: Ephesians 4 5
Current Church and Group Structure 6
Bibliography 8

Introduction

Small Groups may be considered as the environment most conducive to developing and maturing disciples in the faith. There are reasons why this statement is to be considered as valid, and Comiskey notes that in understanding of the Trinity, Trinitarian doctrine indicates that the emphasis in on “life, love and movement within the Godhead.” Thomas F. Torrance writes concerning the Trinity that this doctrine is “foundational to Christianity, defines who we worship and serve, while guiding the church to practice love, care and unity.” If one studies the Trinitarian nature of God, what they will find is a relational aspect unfounded in a singular view of self. If as Scripture states that “The Son loves the Father and the Father loves the Son” (Jn. 3:35-36; cf. 5:20), then it stands to reason that God loves those (humankind) he created; implying a reciprocal nature of love vis. from God to us, us to God, and us to others. If love is the main element in anything, then it must be contemplated that love is the bedrock for small group ministries. Included within the study are five passages which are primary to small group ministry which will be addressed shortly. There are principles that are applicable to the passages