John Piper - Small groups: Church is more than preaching

The Tragic Cost of Her Cavernous Thirst
John 4:1-26
June 21, 2009

Full video @: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/3999/Video/

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[Enterprise2700]

Amen, Dr. Piper. I'm posting this in my Facebook account to hopefully stir up something in the hearts and minds of my local church brethren about the importance of small groups.

[Patternpop]

Needed that.

[firmware1000]

"which he can't do with everyone though i'm sure he would if he could", if he could?? I am sure he could and his powers are not limited its as unlimited as God's. I believe its a matter of the people's heart condition rather than a "limited power" of the H/S, so what you are saying is small groups are the solution for the problem stated in Luke 8:14? I believe small groups create a form of club that people come to get together with like minded people have celebrations, enjoy life...

[CharlestheIX]

@firmware1000 at 55 sec, piper says "Small groups are designed to take the Word and *BY* super-natural: wisdom, and gifts and H/S power penetrate where I didn't." So the point that pastor john is making by bring up the H/S is that small groups, as well as preaching, would be ineffective without the power of the Holy Spirit. It is BY the H/S that the Word ever pierces anyone person's heart is essentially what pastor john is saying. hope this clarifies some things brother/sister :)

[CharlestheIX]

@firmware1000 piper wasn't saying anything about the H/S failing or dishonoring the H/S in any way at all. he was just saying that small groups in churches are there to get into people's lives and minister to them on a personal and individual level (which he can't do with everyone though i'm sure he would if he could) and press the Word into their hearts and have it save them and transform them "BY the H/S."

[firmware1000]

Most of what JP said is good but this I have to disagree with him. "...H/S power penetrate where I didn't" (Heb 4:12), he would say that H/S failed at the first attempt and might succeed in a smaller group? His sharing his view not scripture's. Where is this particular message coming from? No reference to scripture given? Is he speaking on his own authority?

[JohnnyJ2x44alt]

Can't Stop listening to you Dr.Piper

[Brandr1]

IMO Sunday serves the same purpose as small groups. They are both small groups witha focus. It is the setting that usually tells them apart.

[AwesomePally]

Excellent message GOD bless you Dr. Piper