The Small Group Ministry (SGM) co-ordinates and assists small groups in their formation, development and growth. There are currently about 30 small groups in TMC, representing almost half of the church congregation.
A Small Group is a community of believers who have committed themselves to meet regularly for
the purpose of fellowship, discipleship, service and outreach. Specifically, this means:
- To provide spiritual and emotional support to members through meaningful Christian fellowship, including worshipping the Lord, sharing with and praying for one another, so that each member may be encouraged and find joy in their walk with God.
- To nurture members as disciples of Christ, by regularly studying and applying God's Word to their lives, so that they may develop a solid biblical foundation for daily living.
- To encourage the exercise of each member's spiritual gifts in service to others, by practising Christian hospitality, caring for one another and praying for the church, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
- To develop a culture of outreach, welcoming newcomers, sharing the gospel with our neighbours and helping new believers grow and be integrated into the body of Christ, so that each member is equipped and ready to fulfil the Great Commission.
All worshippers in TMC are strongly encouraged to be part of a small group.
Small groups are central to the discipleship journey of each member of the church. They are a means by which believers can experience and practice their Christian faith in a smaller and more personal community that is jointly committed to such a purpose. Through regular involvement in these groups, accountable relationships are also formed so that believers can spur and encourage one another on to be faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this way, small groups are a platform by which Christian discipleship can be purposefully developed and encouraged throughout the whole congregation.
In TMC, pastoral representatives (PR) are appointed by the pastors for each small group. PRs perform a shepherding role in looking after the health and needs of small groups and small group leaders. Together with the small group leaders and small group committee, these PRs assist the pastoral team in aligning small group life and activities with the overall direction of the church.
John Wesley's 21 Questions for Small Groups
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I pass onto another person what was told me in confidence?
4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying or self-justifying?
6. Did the Bible live in me today?
7. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
8. Am I enjoying prayer?
9. When did I last speak to someone about my faith?
10. Do I pray about the money I spend?
11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
12. Do I disobey God in anything?
13. Am I doing something that I feel uneasy about in my conscience?
14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?
16. Am I proud?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, like the Pharisee who despised the tax collector?
19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I going to do about it?
20. Do I grumble and complain constantly?
21. Is Christ real to me?
