Wednesday, October 14, 2009

7 Reasons Why Preaching Is Not Enough

Biblical list which outlines need for small groups necessary for all radical Christians. Taken from Piper's sermon: The Love of Human Praise as the Root of Unbelief(link below).

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2009/4223_The_Love_of_Human_Praise_as_the_Root_of_Unbelief/

7 Reasons Preaching is Not Enough

  1. The impulse avoid painful growth by disappearing safely into the crowd in corporate worship is very strong.
  2. The tendency toward passivity in listening to a sermon is part of our human weakness.
  3. Listeners in a big group can more easily evade redemptive crises. If tears well up in your eyes in a small group, wise friends will gently find out why. But in a large gathering, you can just walk away from it.
  4. Listeners in a large group tend to neglect efforts of personal application. The sermon may touch a nerve of conviction, but without someone to press in, it can easily be avoided.
  5. Opportunity for questions leading to growth is missing. Sermons are not dialogue. Nor should they be. But asking questions is a key to understanding and growth. Small groups are great occasions for this.
  6. Accountability for follow-through on good resolves is missing. But if someone knows what you intended to do, the resolve is stronger.
  7. Prayer support for a specific need or conviction or resolve goes wanting. O how many blessings we do not have because we are not surrounded by a band of friends who pray for us.
You can listen to great sermons your entire life and be full of knowledge but until you start applying and incorporating those Biblical teachings into your life you're nothing but talk. This goes first to me! Small groups are absolutely essential for personal application and accountability.

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