Five Principles for Small Groups: (John 13-17) Jesus started His Small Group (Mark 3:13) – He selected the 12 apostles to be with Him and destroy the works of the devil.

1. SERVING each other = partnership (John 13:8, 12)

• Jesus was a prime example of serving His apostles and others – we should serve others too. 
• To truly serve others, we need to know what their needs are. 
• We can’t effectively do that through the corporate church at Sunday services – but we can do it through the Small Groups.
• We must find the needs and fill them.
• Facilitate an atmosphere of giving and serving each other.

2. ENCOURAGEMENT = give courage and have faith (John 14:2, 13-14, 25-27)

• When people who know and care about me encourage me, that encouragement strengthens me.

3. PRODUCTIVITY = produce fruit through the Life Group (John 15:16-17)

• Synergy = team concept à the sum of the group is greater than the sum of the individual efforts.
• Results come faster by working together in small groups, there is little we can’t accomplish.

4. PROTECTION = accountability and teaching – speak God’s word and life into each other (John 16:1).

• Living out the word of God in our daily lives – share testimonies to help each other avoid or escape from individual or family problems with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• Communicate warnings and correction in love, respect, and humility.

5. PRAYER = always support each other through prayer (John 17:6, 9-26)

• Specific and directed prayer in a timely and situational manner.
• Healing, correction, wisdom through the Holy Spirit.
• Prayer whenever it is needed – take responsibility for each other.