I spent three days at a conference in Southern California learning about
small groups. For a few years now, I've
been in a small group. Actually, I’ve
been in several. I've been
told continually that they are important, but could never quite put my finger
on “why”. Why are small groups so
important?
The conference was awesome and loaded with great information. We learned a ton about how to create and
sustain small groups, but maybe selfishly, maybe not, I kept coming back to the
question of why I should be in
a small group. Sure, we get to hang out
with friends, share interests, study the bible, etc.
And then he said it.
In one statement, Steve Gladen summed up why I, and everyone else for
that matter, should be in a small group at their church.
“The Bible is built
as a family system; therefore, small groups should be built on a family
system.” - Steve Gladen
With that one statement, I knew why it was so important for me to be in
a small group.
Family.
We need our family.
Chantel and I moved 900 miles away from our families and were all of a
sudden all alone. We needed a support
system. Whether it’s for physical
support or emotional support, we all need people.
Small groups allow you to create deep emotional connections with other
people, and what that does is it gives confidence and encouragement to those
that are struggling. With a small group,
you can give support and get support.
Being as far away as we are from our family, Chantel and I found a new
family. Not to replace our family, but to
enhance and expand the one we have.
God designed us to be with each other.
If you don’t have a church, find one.
If you do have a church, join a small group. If your church doesn't have a small group for
you, start one.
We could go through this life alone, but I’d argue that having a support
system surrounding you just might make it a little bit easier.
God said it’s not good for man to be alone. Listen to God. Follow His advice. Join a small group.
That is an awesome way at looking at it. I hadn't seen it from that perspective and I'm a small group leader. I'm going to use that.
ReplyDeleteGo for it! I don't know what we would do without our small group; they are our family!
Delete