Life Groups (Paul Emmanuel) | Weekly Mentoring Hour (27 August 2026)

Good morning everyone. We welcome you to this week's mentoring hour. We pray and hope that it's a blessing to you. So, before we begin this week's session, can I request one of us to lead us in prayer, please? Abinash, am I audible? >> Uh yes, sister Jackin. You are. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Please feel free to pray. Any one of our students. Can I request one of our students to pray, please? Okay. We'll pray. Father, we thank you, Lord. We praise you. We worship you, Lord God. Thank you, Lord, that you've given us this privilege, Lord, to come to your presence and learn from your word, Lord. Father, we commit this session into your hands. Father, we pray, Lord, that it will be a blessing to each and every one of us, Lord. Even as the word and the thought is being shared, Lord, that you will speak to us, Lord God. And Father, we pray for each and every one of our students, Lord. Father, they might be in various seasons of life, but Father, you are the same God yesterday, today, and forever. So, Father, whatever is the doubts or the clarity that they need, the direction that they need, Father, Father, we pray that you will speak to us, Lord. We commit this session in your hands. In Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen. Amen. So, uh today we have a very exciting topic. It's about life groups. We're going to learn about life groups. And the speaker for today is Pastor Paul Emmanuel. He's one of our associate pastors here at APC. And also, he oversees the life groups and the life group ministry. So, it's a great joy to have him with us today to learn and discuss. And yeah, over to you, Pastor Paul. >> Right. Uh thank you, Jack. And uh Uh good morning, everyone. Welcome once again to this mentoring hour. So, we'll be talking about life groups and um just sharing a few thoughts on the importance, the significance, and what kind of impact a life group can make within a church community. And so, we'll just I'll just share a few thoughts and then uh we'll leave it open for questions. Now, uh as the name suggests, life groups uh life groups is basically the life of the church. And uh so, we all go to church Sundays, every Sunday. And there's only so much that we can do on a Sunday, right? It's a beautiful time of corporate worship, hearing God's word. Uh but it's not enough, right? For example, 52 Sundays in a year is not enough. We need more. Um and if we need to learn, we need to uh grow into spiritual maturity, we need something additional. And so, life groups becomes a wonderful place where people are known, people are connected, people are discipled, cared for, equipped, and eventually, they're sent out to be the salt and light that God has called them for. Uh so, many of us, you know, you know, coming from different churches, we may also use the word small groups, right? So, the word the small groups and life groups are can be used interchangeably. So, let's look at what is why life groups. What is it about life groups, right? The early church, if you look at Acts chapter 2 verse 46, um Acts 2:46, "Every day, they continued meeting together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes." Uh hold on, just trying to change. Yeah. Right? So, we see that there were two expressions within the church, the early church, right? First was a larger gathering, which was at the temple, and then there were small gatherings that happened across in different homes. Uh we see that the large gathering gives us corporate worship, preaching, there was vision, there was celebration. In a life group, uh or in the small groups, there was relationship, there was accountability, prayer, pastoral care, discipleship, and so much more. Uh so, a life group is is a place where, you know, people can be nurtured, developed, uh and grown into spiritual maturity. Let's look at a few thoughts here on what are the biblical foundations of a life group. Uh Jesus, when he ministered to people, he ministered through a small group as well. Yes, we do know that uh you know, where Jesus went, there were thousands of people who are following him, uh but Jesus also took time, and he understood the importance of ministering to small groups and even one-on-one. Mark chapter 3 verse 14 says, "He appointed 12 that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach." So, you see here that he appointed the 12 and he spent time with them, right? He He appointed the 12. Notice that order there. He He appointed them to be with him, to learn from him, and to be sent by him. So, it's a beautiful example Jesus is setting here. He He not only preached to big crowds, but he also developed people. He discipled people. They watched The disciples watched him so they they probably asked questions. They They The disciples failed and they were corrected. They were encouraged. They were exhorted. And they learned to live life together in a smaller setting. So, here you see a beautiful principle that discipleship happens best when truth is combined with relationship, right? Secondly, we see that even in the early church, they practiced community. Acts chapter 2 verse 42, they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and of prayer, right? So, we see that you know, life groups is so to speak the DNA of a healthy church, right? If you want to see a healthy church, li- life groups is very important because it is It is where people community grow together in Christ. Thirdly, we see that scrip- scripture commands us as believers to live in community, Right, we don't live in isolation. Um we live in together, we grow together. Hebrews 10 verse 24 and 25 says, "Let us uh consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." So, Christianity is not designed to live to be lived alone. Right, so we are living in a body and uh just as how in a natural body each part of the body support each other, uh life group again can become a beautiful place where we strengthen each other, build each other up. Right, uh let's look at a few thoughts on uh why is life groups important? Why not, you know, each one of us just have, you know, go go to church on Sundays, have couple of conferences a year, and maybe also, you know, um uh have certain events. Why is it that we need life groups? Why is it that we need those uh small groups to learn and to grow? Let's look at a few thoughts here, right? Number one, life groups create a sense of belonging. Ephesians 2:19, uh consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household. Uh take for example, there's a church, right, which is maybe 50 or 70 people within 100 people. It's It's, you know, everyone know each other and there's a sense of belonging. But eventually, when the church grows, you know, uh it becomes 200, 300, and 500 people, it can also be that we are sitting in a church with 500 people, yet feel that we don't know anybody. Right, and and that's a real feeling. Right? And so, life groups becomes a great place where people get connected and there's a sense of belonging. Hey, I am part of this church community. I'm part of the vision. And I'm journeying along with the church to to fulfill the vision that God has given. Right? So, this sense of belonging uh you know uh comes into us. Two, life groups create spiritual growth. Now, this is very important. 2 Peter chapter 3 verse 18, uh Peter's exhorting the church. He's saying, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." So, spiritual growth is key for us as believers, right? It's not It's not just you know Yes, salvation is beautiful. It's a one-time experience, but uh but we need to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We need to grow uh in our personal life, in our in our spiritual walk, in the reading of the word, in prayer, uh in every area. And life groups create that ability or that facility to grow spiritually. Right? So, for example, if somebody comes to church, he's a new He or she is a new believer. And they say, "Hey, uh I I don't understand what's happening in church, you know? People are singing. Uh people are you know there's this whole different kinds of expressions of worship that's happening, and the word is being taught, and uh you know people probably are um you know prophesying or praying in the spirit." Uh and this person may not understand what's happening. Right? Because they're new believers. But imagine this new believer gets into uh connected to a small group or a life group, this becomes a place where a young believer can really begin to you know express or release the gifts of the Holy Spirit within them. It's a place where, you know, people are more comfortable. Uh there is it's a smaller group. It gives them an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone and to press into what God has for them. Right? So, it's a great place to also, you know, to ask questions. Um and something that we do here at APC is we follow the Sunday sermon. So, whatever was preached on Sunday at our life groups, we currently have about 52 life groups all across Bangalore. And so, all the life groups discuss what happened the previous Sunday. There are a few questions, so the life group leader facilitates the discussions. So, it's a great place to also ask questions and learn uh in a smaller setting. Three, life groups provide pastoral care. 1 Peter chapter 5 verse 2, "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them not because you must, but because you are willing and eager to serve." Uh the life group ministry is very similar to the pastoral ministry. Right? Um because the life group leader is like a shepherd to the people that he is serving within his life group. Right? And and uh I'm just going to bring up a few things that we do at APC, uh but the expressions of life groups uh whatever in your churches may be different. Something that we do here is we have a minimum number of 12 people in each life group. And we call it the APC 12 model. Uh why 12? Because it gives the life group leader opportunity to care for those 12 people, to speak into their lives, to to to be there, to encourage them, to pastor, to care for them, to nurture them. So, we have 12 people and life group ministry is very similar to pastoral ministry. Or, life groups create accountability. Proverbs 27 and verse 17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Uh accountability is very important uh not only for uh for leaders, uh but for each one of us, right? We are all accountable. We are accountable to our leaders, we are accountable to God especially, right? Uh first to God, then to our leaders, and our families, and our loved ones. So, uh life groups create a place of accountability. So, as believers, uh when we step into a life group or we get connected to a life group, uh we come into the care of the life group leader, and the life group leader uh you know, we are accountable to them. Right? So, sometimes, you know, uh the life group leader may say, "Hey, uh can we read this portion of scripture um and you know, come prepared with uh you know, with your thoughts on that scripture?" Or uh or you know, the life group leader is is is someone who we can, you know, go to and say, "Hey, you know what? These are seasons that I'm going through in my life. I'm going through this problem. I'm going through this difficult situation. Can you help me to overcome? Can you journey with me to help me overcome this season?" And so, we are creating a sense of accountability, right? And the life group leaders also are given this freedom to uh you know, to watch over our lives in a sense that uh you know, we can they can always check on us. "Hey, how is your prayer life? Are you being Are you able to spend time in the word? Are you growing in the things of God? Are you um you know, are you maturing in Christ?" Um And this sense of accountability, uh not just spiritual accountability, but also practical accountability is developed. Right? Uh fifth one is life groups develop leaders. Uh 2 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 2, "And the things you have heard me say and trust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." And now, uh we know that, you know, something that we hear about APC is we always uh look for people. We want to raise up leaders. We want to raise up the next generation. And life groups has been a wonderful place to uh facilitate this. Because, uh for example, we have some we have youth life groups, right? And we have young people joining life groups even at the age of 19 and 18, 19, 20, right? Very young. And they begin to be part of the life group, and they learn. It's a great place for leaders to mentor young people. Right? And look at Paul, what he's saying to Timothy, uh he you know, Paul chose Timothy at a very young age, took him under his wings, led him, taught him, and then eventually entrusted the ministry to Timothy uh in Ephesus. And we see that as life group leaders, it gives opportunities to raise up other leaders, not to entrust to them those who are qualified. So, uh again, this is a journey of mentoring and uh you know, discipling. There will be many ups and downs, and we learn from it. Uh but it's a wonderful opportunity for raising up uh leaders within the church community. Life groups enable us to make disciples. Right? Uh Colossians 1:28, "Admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ." And when the Lord Jesus gave us the commission, he said, "Go and make disciples." Right? And and and and I think that is the core of ministry. Is to make disciples. Right? Yes, we have church services, we have conferences, we have events, and all of these are catalysts to uh build a church. But discipleship is also very important because that is what Jesus said, "Go and make disciples." And discipleship cannot happen on a Sunday morning only after church. Right? Um but there has to be a constant, you know, counseling, mentoring, teaching on a one-on-one basis. And um and so life groups gives us this opportunity to make disciples. Life groups strengthen families. I'm just taking a verse from the Old Testament here, Deuteronomy 6:6 through 6 and 7. Um these commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Uh that's a that's a wonderful phrase, the impress them on your children. Uh you know, when for example, young families join a church, right? They get connected to a church. And now they are still journeying with us. They're trying to understand how the church works, how um you know, because different churches have different uh essence, right? So to speak. So, uh imagine a new family, they come into church and they uh you know, they get connected. It's so important to help them get connected to life groups, to community. Because this way they are strengthened. The families are strengthened. They begin to come together, they worship together, the prayer is happening, there is there's a sense of accountability, community, a sense of belonging. And families are strengthened within life groups. Yes, you know, families many families may go through ups and downs and seasons in their lives, right? Life groups can be a wonderful place where families stand with families, you know, standing in prayer, standing in support for them, right? Uh and finally, life groups build unity across the church. Ephesians 4:3-6 it says, "Make every effort to keep this unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. For there is one body and one spirit." Uh life groups, very importantly, build unity within the church. You know, for example, uh here in APC what we have is we have about 52 life groups and uh there are different kinds of life groups. We have youth youth boys, youth girls, we have family life groups, we have uh online life groups, we have life groups that meet hybrid, that is once uh they meet in person and another time they meet online. So, we have different kinds of life groups. But something that we always emphasize is that all life groups are always we we we're all doing the same thing. As I mentioned, we we discuss what is done on Sunday. And we also emphasize that we're all all the life groups uh are the same. We're all one body and we're all you know, building the church with that one vision to be salt and light. So, it's not like a life group is doing whatever they feel like doing. And here there's another life group that's doing, you know, something else. And no. Life groups build unity across the church. There's there's no sense of competition. There is no sense of pride or jealousy. No. We're all So, you can have a life group which is maybe 12 people and another life group with three people. Doesn't mean that the life group with 12 is uh you know, uh doing a greater work than than the one life group with three people. But together, we're all all life groups together, we are building unity within the church. So, something that we do here is if a person can't be part of a certain life group, maybe because of distance or timing or uh you know, or the date when they have the day when they have life group, they're welcome to go to any other life group uh among the 52 life groups that are there. Why? Because all of us are the same. There's a sense of unity. And life groups uh you know, build unity across the church. So, these are just a few points here. Uh just want to share a few thoughts on characteristics of a healthy life group. And uh Christ-centered, right? Uh yes, there's community, there's friendships that are that that are times life groups have, you know, uh uh good times of uh you know, just spending time together, talking. All of that is there, but Jesus is the center. There's no point of having a life group, having a good meal, and the word is not being taught or Jesus is not being glorified, right? So, the focus for a strong life group is Jesus. Jesus is the center. Two, It's word based. Right? So, the Bible is you know, so if we look at our agenda um for our life groups um you know, normally we have maybe 15 minutes of worship. Then uh you know, maybe one you know, one or two testimonies if needed if it's there. But most of the time 45 minutes is spent on the word discussing of the word. Why? Because the Bible the word shapes our beliefs, shapes our behavior, and the focus is the word because it's the word that can build people up. Right? So, a healthy life group, Christ centered, word centered. Three, is prayerful. Right? Prayer is just not an option. Uh it's not some something that we do when we're closing the meeting. Okay, Lord, let's pray. No, prayer is foundational. Uh prayer the life group leader has the responsibility of not just praying for themselves, but as as he's caring for his life group, he he or she must be in a place to pray for the life group. Prayer is the foundation. Prayer is what will keep the life group strong. Prayer is what can change people's lives within a life group. Now, we must understand that people are coming with baggages. People are coming with many challenges and um uh uh we we must be praying people. Right? A life group must be must be must have time separated for prayer. Right? A a healthy life group is relationship-driven, meaning people are genuinely known and cared for. There's no uh you know, they genuinely know each other. They genuinely care for each other. Uh and this is this will develop over time. right? Um and it's wonderful to see this happening within our uh life groups here where, you know, there are some life groups where they, you know, for example, if somebody is unwell, right? And they're home. So, what I've noticed is the life groups takes the initiative. They just, you know, maybe cook a meal, send the meal over, or just be there for them. Uh and it's more genuine. They is is they genuinely care for them, right? Uh and this is important uh for a healthy life group. Another aspect is being participatory, meaning everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Uh a life group is not another church service. A life group is a place where there is interaction, there is meaningful interactions, meaningful conversations, and there is there is a place where every single person has the opportunity to contribute. Right? No one in a life group can say, "Hey, I'm not uh I'm not good enough, or or maybe my question is not appropriate, or or what if I'm not uh as matured as the others?" No. All of us have the opportunity to participate and contribute in a life group. So, the life group leader uh must develop this atmosphere where everything that is shared, everything that is spoken of is confidential, and nobody is looked down on, right? So, uh this makes a very healthy life group. So, people within the life group says, "Hey, I I can share. I can uh uh contribute towards the life group." Uh six, a healthy life group is missional, meaning it always looks outward as well, right? Yes, we want to strengthen the people within the life group, but we also want to equip them to go reach out and minister to people, right? So, uh we also need to train them to be able to go and go out and step out and reach out to people. >> [snorts] >> And finally, reproducible. The group develops new leaders and eventually multiplies. So, something that we do is we try to do here in APC is, for example, we have, you know, one life group leader with 12 people. Eventually, what we want to see is each of those 12 eventually launch out and start their own life groups. And that is a journey. Right? It may take time, but we won't This is our desire, right? That we want to see life group members not staying as life group members, you know, all their life. We want to see them raise up, become leaders, and start their own life group. So, a healthy life group is one where we're able to raise up leaders and help them to start new life groups and become leaders. Right? Jim Egley, he he he was in missions for about more than about four decades, and he developed this tool, which is a very interesting model for life groups, which is the upward, inward, outward, forward model. And, you know, Jesus summarized these four values. Just look at that Look at that quickly. Upward, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind." So, upward, right? I love the Lord. Inward, "Love your neighbor as yourself." So, within your life group, you love the Lord, that love overflows, and you love those within your life groups. And then is the outward model, where you go and make disciples. And then the forward model, "Teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And this model has proven very powerful and many many churches have been blessed. Life groups have strengthened churches and communities have strengthened with the use of this tool, the upward, inward, outward, forward model. So, to summarize, the goal of a life group is not simply to have, you know, a successful meeting every week. The goal is to see people transformed, see people connected, families connected, people growing spiritually, equipped in the ministry, and eventually sent out to make an impact. I'll stop here and we'll leave it open for questions if you have any. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you so much, Pastor, for sharing how life groups are essentially the lifeline of any church. And so now the time is open for us for discussions and questions. So, please feel free to share. Uh you can either share in the chat or unmute and speak. So. So, here's a question. So, what does Hebrews 10 verses 24 and 25 teach us about why believers need one another? From Dinesh. >> Yeah. Thank you, Dinesh. Let's just read that for the benefit of everyone. Hebrews 10:24-25. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching. Uh, so, uh, teaches why believers need one another. So, uh, just two important things. When God created us, he created us as human beings that need relationships, right? None of us can live in isolation. None of us can say, "I don't need anyone." Right? God himself said to Adam, "Adam, it's not good for you to be alone." Um, uh, you know, God created Eve. So, by nature, we are relational. Right? Uh, so, whether firstly, whether we are believers or unbelievers, we are relational. We need people. We We We We work with people. So, we are relational. Now, in Hebrews, uh, the writer is encouraging us, basically saying, "Hey, um, consider how you can, you know, um, how we may spur one another." That means encourage one another. Now, why is it important? Because, you know, we all go through seasons. And there could be a season where you are strong, but I'm feeling weak. And now, you as a believer can say, "Hey, you know what? Don't worry. I I I'm here to help you. I'm here to encourage you. Maybe you could be somebody who could share a couple of verses with me or pray with me and and, you know, just bring that encouragement." All right? Or maybe it could be that, you know, uh, you know, another person is going through a very difficult season in life and, you know, they want to give up on things that are happening and and then you are there. You You as a believer can say, "Hey, you know what? I went through these problems. This happened many years ago and this is how I overcome I overcame those problems." So, uh, it's basically a call to persevere, a call to grow together. And so, we do need one another. Yes, we need God, we need God's word, we need prayer. These are all foundational, but God has also placed people in our lives that will build us up, equip us, right? So, none of us can live in isolation. So, if you look at our own lives, each one of us, when you look back, and even now, there are people that God has placed in our lives uh that encourage us, that strengthen us, that build us up. Um so, when we are weak, you know, maybe they're there to help you out. Or maybe you could be somebody who's encouraging another or or or you could be a person who's going through a season in your you know, you're saying uh you know, you have people who are standing with you, praying with you. So, yeah, so it is important. Uh these could be the reasons why it's important to um have one another in community. Anyone uh else who any of the other staff would like to faculty would like to share, please feel free. >> Yes, uh we can also ask any questions not only about life groups, but anything that's been on your mind, please feel free to share. >> Good morning, Pastor. I just wanted to ask you if at all if uh if you know, a person is an introvert, then if they're not open, like say uh people generally don't want to talk to anybody because they feel that people are trouble. So, for such kind of people who feel that the others are trouble for them, how do they you know, um uh come together when we talk about life groups? You know, uh because they're introverts basically. >> Yeah. Yeah, that's a very good question. You're asking an introvert. Uh Uh So, here's the thing. Uh See, yes, initially, you know, uh for example, a person becomes a believer, he's an introvert, he prefers being alone. But, um the Bible teaches us that we are to walk in a community, right? We are to have relationships with each other to build each other up, right? But, as a leader, one of the things we can do is avoid forcing them, right? Don't force them to come, but give them their time, right? Maybe it could be different reasons. Maybe somebody could uh be coming from a different denomination. For example, I came from a different denomination. Now, for me, raising hands uh was something really difficult in worship. I just didn't do it. So, even after becoming a believer for more than a year, I didn't raise my hands in worship. I I I just didn't do it, right? Uh so, it I'm grateful that nobody forced me to do it. So, over time, I by reading the word, by, you know, prayer and uh you know, having conversations with people, I began to understand that, hey, raising hands is a form of worship and and it's a way that I'm surrendering to God. Um so, it's important that I do it, right? So, the same way, an introvert, yes, the life group leader can say, "Hey, you know, uh the best thing for introverts is when they're in a life group, it's a smaller setting, so you can, you know, encourage them. Say, 'Hey, why don't you Let them start small, you know? Maybe just say a word of prayer or just do the starting prayer or do the welcome.' Uh these are small things. And see, just because you're introvert, we're not trying to make him an extrovert. Right? He can remain an introvert, meaning uh to themselves, but also understand the importance of community. Right? So, life groups would be a perfect way for them to, you know, give them an opportunity to step out of their comfort zone. So, I hope that answers your question. >> Yeah, there's a question from Christy Sarah. How do we measure whether a life group is spiritually effective? >> Yeah. Uh one important way to measure if life groups are spiritually effective is to see whether people are growing in the things of God. Is there spiritual maturity? Right? Are Are people growing? Are they learning from God's word? Is their lives being impacted? Are they growing in the things of the word things of the spirit? That is the number one uh you know, thing that we must see to measure whether there's growth in a life group, right? Uh it's not about how many people. It's how people are raised up. Are they growing in the things of God? So, that's number one, right? Uh and of course follow apart it's So, it's not even, you know, this community. All of that is there, but number one is are they growing in the things of God? Are they becoming Christ-like? Are the Are the Are the things that they are uh they're doing is it glorifying God? That is the number one key to knowing whether a life group is growing effectively, right? So, numbers is not the only thing. You can have three people, and all three of them are growing very strong in the things of God. On the other hand, you may have 12 a very uh 12 people, and maybe none of them are even growing in the things of God. So, uh yeah. Christie, I hope that answers your question. >> Yeah. So, the next question is from Dinesh. Romans 16:17. Pastor, what to do if if such people are there in life groups, how to handle them? So, Romans 16:17 says, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you learned and avoid them." >> Yeah. Uh so, Dinesh, listen. So, ministry is about people. And where there is people, there are different kinds of people. There are different temperaments, different ideas, different thoughts. And you know, there will be maybe, you know, uh disagreements between people. And it's not only now. Paul writing to Corinth, it was a church that was already flowing in the gifts of the spirit, uh but there was division. One says, "I follow Paul." One says, "I follow Apollos." One says, "I follow Cephas." One says, "I follow Christ." Now, um it was a powerful church, church that's already, you know, ministering in all the gifts of the spirit. Yet there was division. So, what did Paul do? Yeah, the the Apostle Paul, he encouraged them. He taught them. And he said, "Here's what it is. Christ is not divided. We are one body. And uh we we we need to work together as one body. So, I think Dinesh, yes, we have as leaders, we have to, you know, we can't take the problem, put it under the mat, and say, "Okay, problem is gone." But we have to deal with the problem. But in the end, we want to encourage, we want to exhort them, and you know, ensure that the life group is strengthened, there's a sense of unity. There will be times There will be times when things are getting out of hand. Maybe there's one person in the life group who's causing too many problems. So, there will be times, right? And this is under the direction of the leader, the life group leader. He must he or she must be very wise to make the right decision at the right time. There will be times when the life group leader may have to request a uh of life group member to uh to move out of the life group just so that the life group remains strong. The life group remains in unity. Now, again, that is uh that is on the life group leader must make the right decision. Maybe take help from the pastor uh and see what should be done. This is when situations are getting out of hand. Right? Uh but otherwise, do your best to bring unity, teach them from the word, pray for them. I believe that, you know, all of these divisions can be uh you know, nullified and can can just go away once we are, you know, encouraging and exalting them through the word. Anyone else, any of the other faculty, if you'd like to share, please go ahead. >> I think that's a very important point that you mentioned upon. Like if there is uh see, first of all, like there will be different points of view and and that's fine, you know, people because of the experience uh whatever, you know, season of life, they have different points of view and we can always uh discuss that as long as it it's not the core belief that is you know, that is under uh you know, disagreement. Like core things like okay, Jesus is the Lord and you know, salvation is by uh faith grace through faith and and things these are core things, but when it comes to the like secondary things and other things, there could be different points of view and that's fine. We can we can always but when it when these points of view you know, that particular verse talks about a person who's intentionally causing division. You know, the it's like on the outside the person is [clears throat] very friendly, says smooth speech and etc. And then but the thing is to cause division meaning conflict between one another or conflict between the leader and other people and so on. So, if that is happening, definitely the first thing is to tell the person and say hey this is happening and maybe you did you are aware of it but the things that you are saying, you know, it's causing division and uh but after maybe you know, twice or thrice, the person is still pursuing, then definitely the life group leader needs to bring it to the attention of the pastor of the life group pastor or the associate pastor. And and of course, like you mentioned, that strict action needs to be taken after some warnings, but yeah, it's it's good it's good to do that with the you know, with the with the sharing it with the pastor and if the pastor can actually bring in that uh correction, that would be good. Yeah, just wanted to add that. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, pastor. So, anyone else would you like to share or ask any questions? We have few minutes left. >> Sir, in life groups they generally have this um you know, the concept of gossip. Because they they generally happen to share everything regarding their lives to others, uh especially to the pastors or the people who are sitting next to each other. And then the you know, the people who don't have any or who are ignorant regarding their uh why the life groups are being held, they take it in the wrong sense. So, how do you deal with such kind of people? >> Yeah. So, gossip, backbiting, as I said, you know, they're different people, right? And we're working with people. Now, first thing to do is to, you know, as a life group leader, something that we encourage all life groups here in Bangalore is to maintain confidentiality. Right? To honor and to respect people. Like that's our core value. So, uh we teach as a life group leader, we encourage the life group leader to inform everyone within the life group, see, this is a place where we honor, respect each other. People come from different backgrounds. People come from various challenges in life. But this is a place where we will maintain confidentiality. Right? Now, there will be times when a life group member may share a few things with the life groups, with their life group members, or he may share it only with the life group leader. Right? He or she may share it only with the life group leader. Now, when it's shared only with the life group leader, ensure as a life group leader you maintain confidentiality. Don't talk about it in public. Don't use examples about it with your life groups. Avoid doing that. But if it's shared among people within the life group, and if you sense that there is some kind of gossip, bring it bring correction immediately. Right? Say, "Hey, this is not something that we can we must do. Uh we are not we are not here to gossip and backbite and but we are here to encourage and build each other. So, it's very important for the life group leader to let the people know, right? The the vision of the life group, the purpose of the life group, uh, build that sense of, uh, oneness and accountability, uh, build that sense of love and care for one another. And I think once we keep we keep doing that, we keep building that, uh, you know, if we love somebody, we will not gossip about them, right? We won't talk behind their back. So, uh, yes, it's not an easy task. It's easier said than done, but we thank God for the work of the Holy Spirit, uh, that can bring that about. Uh, to stop gossip, to stop backbiting, uh, uh, you know, just having times of prayer. So, it's very it's very important as a life group leader to take that additional initiatives to ensure that everything within the life group is, uh, you know, clean and done in the right way, yeah. >> So, [snorts] uh, we have another question. Uh, Luke 12 verses 51 to 53. Jesus said about divisions in family. What exactly about? Is it about spiritual or denominations in church? So, >> Uh, this is, okay, sorry, let me just go to Luke chapter 12. Let's see. >> Pastor, can I read it? >> Yes, please. Yes, please. Thank you. >> So, do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on, live in one house will be divided. Five in one house will be divided. Three against two and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father. Mother against daughter and daughter against mother. Mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. >> Right. Now, Anthony, to answer this question, it's definitely not about denominations in the church, right? Uh, if you look at the context of Luke chapter 12, we see that before this Jesus is talking about uh you know, not to worry, right? You know, not to worry about your life. Don't worry about what you eat and drink because that's just temporary. Then he moves on Jesus is talking about watchfulness. He's saying, "Be ready because there's the master is going to come anytime." Talking about himself that uh you know, that he's going to come and he's going to take everyone like the owner of the house uh and the thief does not come announcing himself. So, he's talking about not to worry and also being ready. Uh and then he goes on to say, you know, about this about peace. I've not come to bring peace but to bring division. So, it's more in a spiritual sense than in a sense to say that you know, there will be division among you because of me, because of Jesus, right? Uh you know, some of them will say, "I believe." Some of them will say, "I don't believe." And because of that, there could be divisions within the family. People will be against each other. Um Now, if you look at it even now, right? Uh think of this if there are there's a there's a family if one person becomes a believer in a in a family where all of them are unbelievers. One person becomes a believer, most often there is a sense of division and hatred to that one person. Why? Because he or she has become a believer. So, I I believe that what Jesus is saying here is this is because of me, because uh this is not a denomination thing but because uh there will come a time when you know, people will choose to choose to follow me and when they choose to follow me, it will cause divisions within families. Um Pastor Jay, if you would like uh would you like to add I I I any other thoughts on this? >> I think that's uh that's kind of explained completely. Yeah. So, it's because of your faith, it's because of your allegiance to the Lord, that's going to cause division. And so, we should not use this for, you know, generally among believers, you know, maybe there's a Christian family and then you say, "Yeah, the Lord said there will be division." And then, you know, you kind of Yeah, say that this is what the Lord >> [clears throat] >> promised, you know, it is actually about the making a stand for Christ and because of that, you know, there is persecution and there is division. Yeah. Thank you. >> So, So, we can wind up for today. Thank you. Thank you, Pastor Paul. Thank you, pastors, and thank you, everyone, for contributing and joining. So, we can just continue with our classes for today. See you all next week. Thank you. God bless.