Scripture is filled with wonderous good news for the small, the weak, and the marginalized. Here are some texts for study, reflection, and preaching:
Important Good News Bible Passages for Small Congregations
Genesis 12 and following: God brings forth a family from an elderly couple who cannot have children.
Exodus 3 and 4: God won’t take “No” for an answer from Moses. God tells Moses to use what he already has.
Judges 6-8: Gideon leads a ridiculously small army against a massive foe—and God wins! Click here for a sermon on this text.
1 Samuel 16:1-13: David, the least one, is anointed Israel’s next King.
1 Samuel 17: David refuses to wear armor that’s too big for him. He defeats Goliath with a slingshot and some stones.
1 Kings 17:1-16: Elijah, the widow of Zarephath, and her jugs of meal and oil.
Matthew 1& 2 and Luke 1 & 2: The Christmas stories. All kinds of good news here. People that can’t have children have children. God launches a wondrous plan through a tiny baby born in a tiny town.
Matthew 14:13-21 (and parallels): Jesus feeds more than five thousand people with what is available: five loaves and two fish. (“But there’s nothing here, except…”)
Matthew 18:20: Where two or three are gathered in Jesus’ name…
Mark 4:30-32 (and parallels): The mustard seed.
Mark 12:41-44: The widow’s two cents.
Luke 12:22-34: “Don’t be afraid, little flock!”
Luke 13:10-17: Jesus heals the bent over woman from a spirit of infirmity. Click here to read a small church-related sermon on this text.
Luke 13:18-21 and Matthew 13: 31-33: Mustard seed and yeast. (A little pinch will do you!) Click here for a sermon on this text.
Luke 15:1-10: One sheep, one coin, one sinner. One is something to rejoice over.
Luke 24:13-35: The Emmaus story. The risen Lord shares word and table with two followers.
John 20:19-31: Jesus heals his traumatized little flock.
Acts 2:1-21: Pentecost. A small group receives big power from God.
Acts 2:42-47: The basics of life together in the body of Christ. (Hint: the small church has them all!)
1 Corinthians 1:18-31: God’s foolish choices.
1 Corinthians 12: All the parts of the body are necessary—including the small ones…
2 Corinthians 12:2-10: God’s power made perfect in weakness.
The Mustard Seed Journal 
Leave a Reply