Thursday, May 11, 2006
Why do you participate in a small group?
Maybe you actually don't...but studies show that a growing number of people "in the church" and "outside the church" enjoy participating in small groups. Perhaps it is a Bible Study, a book club, a running group, a support group...the options are numerous. The common element is that you know each other. There is consistency. There is a reason you attend -- it reflects a value that you have. So what is it? Why do you attend a small group? What do you enjoy about your particular group experience?
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I find Christ's pathway to peace-of-heart when I am actively supporting, and am supported by, my Christian brothers and sisters. I attend a small group at your church, Matt, because the group's faith-based purpose meets a particular, pressing and chronic need in my personal life. I appreciate very much the willingness of those in my group to be vulnerable and transparent in sharing their particular challenges (and joys!) happening in their lives. I appreciate the authentic gifts-of-self brought to us by our group moderator/leader. Each time I attend this small group meeting, I come away with a better understanding of both the human condition and of my own condition. I am reminded that I am never alone...that God is with me and that He has given me wonderful friends with whom to walk the road of life.
I participate because it feeds me emotionally, spiritually and gives me an opportunity to love on others and be loved on by others. The best thing is getting to hear what and how God is working in others' hearts and lives and having an arena to do share the same.
I have received priceless support and healing from the "Tuesday church" group I meet with at Eastside. In a nutshell, small groups to me are about connectedness, community, and relationship.
I initially chose to participate in small groups to "make more friends". What I have found is that and so much more. In that space of small groups I find people that will intercede for me and in turn I find more purpose in my prayers for others. I find an opportunity to get out of my own concerns and care for others, which in turn raises my awareness of how active God is in my own life. I have found inspiration for outreach, leadership, being a husband, father, friend and follower of Jesus. Ephesians 1:22 says "And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." To me that says that in small groups there is an opportunity to create Christ-centered friendships that allow transformation in and through us.
Years ago my wife and I attended a church that wanted to launch home groups. We agreed to host one. On too many occasions, we cleaned our home, readied dinner, planned a Bible topic, and got ready to welcome our guests. No one showed.
Today, we're so pleased to co-lead a small group that meets regularly with 10-15 people in attendance. Moreover, we enjoy the friendships we've built, the opportunity to fellowship together, to worship together, share our thoughts about God's word and learn from each other, and finally to pray with and for each other.
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