Family Ties

The past few weeks Pastor Rick has been teaching a topic entitled Family ties. These messages have been a lead up to an exciting new phase of ministry for Berith called Covenant Circles.

In Covenant Circles (C.C.), we will exercise our faith more for discipleship and kingdom increase in a small group setting.

Acts 6:1 – believers do the work, how else will we grow?
Acts 2:46, 47 – “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house (translated from the Greek: every house), they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Looking to the example the first church established, we see:

They were diligent to meet consistently.
Their meetings were centered around the Word.
Their meetings were marked by unity.
Their meetings included times of powerful prayer.
Their meetings celebrated God.
Their meetings were welcoming.
Their meeting attracted people and increased God’s kingdom.

Ephesians 4:11-16 – We are all called to different ministry gifts. Stay in your “own lane” for everyone’s prosperity!

Covenant Circles [an outflow of the Berith Christian Fellowship Vision] are to provide a consistent small group environment where participants’ lives are changed by growing in Christ, caring for one another, and impacting our community with God’s love.

Engaging the members in saint-to-saint ministry is the key.
There are more than 100 references to one another in the New Covenant. Here are a few we should adopt immediately:

1. Be kind, prefer one another -- Romans 12:10
2. Edify one another -- Romans 14:19
3. Receive one another (take to oneself or admit one to friendship) -- Romans 15:7
4. Care for one another -- 1 Corinthians 12:25
5. Serve one another -- Galatians 5:13
6. Be kind, forgive one another (rescue, pardon) -- Ephesians 4:32
7. Stop lying to one another (attempting to deceive) -- Colossians 3:9
8. Admonish one another (warn, put in the mind) -- Colossians 3:16
9. Confess and pray for one another -- James 5:16
10. Use hospitality to one another (welcome, appreciate) -- 1 Peter 4:9
11. Submit to one another (be humble) -- 1 Peter 5:5

We are called to reach as many people as possible through Christ, in balance with not overlooking any need. Discipleship only takes place when people get real with themselves and their circumstance.