THE GREAT WORK OF THE GOSPEL IS NOT TO CLOSE WITH LESS
MANIFESTATION OF THE POWER OF GOD THAN MARKED ITS OPENING.
In the early church, Christ's dream came true.
'They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in breaking bread and prayers.' (Acts 2:42)
God's last-days church will be like this: 'The great work of the Gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening.'11
Let's look at four ways to use the attractiveness of community in outreach. The first LD community is implemented within a small group, the second is an LD center, the third is LD one-to-one, and the fourth is LD internet.
LD COMMUNITY 1: LIFEdevelopment GROUP
So how would you involve friends to support each other's witness?
You'd choose real Christians, people who can give reasons for their faith and yet not come on too heavy.
The aim is to form 'community' – that is, a network of friends who genuinely care for each other. You'd need to involve the unchurched fully, not as 'outsiders' or second-class members of the group.
You'll notice these skills outlined in steps 1-4 (see Chapter 3, page 43-53).
'If people can belong long enough to observe how God is alive among us, …long enough to see authentic love among us, …long enough to see whatever good exists in our lives as individuals and as a community, they can come to believe.' 12 - Brian D. McLaren
Group values13
The values of a LIFEdevelopment group are crucial.
These express the rights and the responsibilities of every person who comes.
