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WANTED: FAT Christians

If you attended Small Group Leadership 101 at HBC years ago, you heard us say we are looking for FAT people in our small groups. FAT = Faithful, Available, Teachable. While that comment made people giggle or gasp, it was easy to remember. So why are we looking for FAT people in our small groups? What does FAT look like?

FAT people are faithful to the group, in the spiritual disciplines (regular quiet time in God's word, prayer, scripture memorization) and most importantly to the Lord. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul tells Timothy to entrust what Paul has taught him to "faithful men."

FAT people are available. They show up for group, for prayer nights and work for Christ opportunities. They are available for the Lord, for His work and for their next assignment.

Finally FAT people are teachable. This might be the hardest one. Who of us in our flesh is teachable? But in the Spirit, we are to be humble and most certainly teachable. Being teachable, open to and even hungering for godly change is at the core of sanctification. Will they take godly counsel and implement it in their lives? Have they moved away from comfortable patterns to grow in their walk? Do they submit to the elders of the church and to the leaders in small group ministry? In 2 Timothy 2:2, Timothy is to teach faithful men as Paul has taught him. Timothy was teachable. He was to look for FAT people.

The end of 2 Timothy 2:2 – who will be able to teach others also – explains why we look for FAT people to be apprentice small group leader(s). FAT people reproduce. So do what Paul did. Find FAT people and help them develop into small group leaders who will reproduce. And watch God multiply the ministry.
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