I. The definition of care
1. Financial
2. Emergency
3. Health
4. Community
II. The Basis for care (John 13:34-35)
III. The responsibility for care
1. The individual
(a.) Financial care
Proverbs 21:20
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12
(b.) Community care
2. The family
(a.) The family is to provide financially
1 Timothy 5:8
Proverbs 13:22
(b.) The family is to care for their own elderly & special needs
1 Timothy 5:3-7
(c.) The family unit is best suited for an emergency
(d.) We are specifically commended not to burden the church
1 Timothy 5:16
3. The assembly
(a.) The people of the church
James 1:27, 2:15-16
(b.)The organized church
Acts 6:1
IV. Some difficulties in care
1. Unreasonable expectations
2. Unlimited need/limited resources
3. Scalability
4. Unfortunate cracks and bad timing
V. Our response to the need for care
1. For those needing cares
(a.) Apply Biblical standards
(b.) Communicate
(c.) Get in a small group
(d.) Expect mistakes (and show grace)
2. For those with a heart to care
(a.) Remember, the Great Commission is the Gospel
(a.) Get involved in a care ministry
(b.) Use the small group to care
(c.) Take initiative